Stepping out for a glitzy Italian soiree, Cate Blanchett was all dressed up for the Maison Louis Vuitton Roma Etoile Opening Party in Rome on Friday night (January 27).

The "Curious Case of Benjamin Button" beauty worked the arrivals area alongside fellow guests such as Catherine Deneuve, Margareth Made, Kanika Kapoor, Natalia Vodianova and Tamara Falco before heading inside for cocktails and conversation.

The Maison Louis Vuitton appearance comes as Miss Blanchett and Andrew Upton have caused a bit of a debacle due to their announcement that they're stepping down as co-artistic directors of the Sydney Theatre Company at the end of the 2013 season.

After running a column claiming that the theater company's board of directors was unpleased with the couple's tenure, the Sydney Theatre Company has since denied any such situation - instead issuing a statement saying, "The reality is that the board asked Cate and Andrew to stay on after their current term ends in 2013."

The refutal of the Herald's story added, "As they announced at the launch of the 2012 season, it was always their intention to only stay for two terms. We asked Cate and Andrew to stay on but we respect their decisions to leave in two years time to pursue other professional interests."

Enjoy the pictures of Cate Blanchett at the Maison Louis Vuitton Roma Etoile Cocktail (January 27).