At the 2001 Academy Awards, Ralph Lauren created Penélope Cruz’s black lace gown.
Cruz wore a black, fitted Ralph Lauren dress with lace detailing and a narrow silhouette. The look reflected the polished eveningwear associated with Lauren while giving the Spanish actor a distinctly old-Hollywood red-carpet appearance.
Cruz attended the ceremony as a presenter. Her appearance is sometimes mixed up with her later Academy Awards fashion, particularly the pale-pink Versace gown she wore in 2007 while nominated for Volver. Those are separate Oscar appearances by the same actor and involve different designers.
The 73rd Academy Awards were held on March 25, 2001, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Gladiator won Best Picture, and Julia Roberts won Best Actress for Erin Brockovich. The ceremony’s fashion coverage helped reinforce the Oscars as a major showcase for international actors and American designers.