Versace made Penélope Cruz’s blush-pink gown for the 2007 Academy Awards.
Cruz wore the flowing pale-pink gown to the ceremony after receiving her first Oscar nomination, for Volver. The design used a fitted bodice, soft draping and a feathered skirt, producing one of the evening’s most recognizable silhouettes.
The dress became an important early example of Cruz’s close relationship with major European fashion houses on awards-show red carpets. She later wore numerous custom gowns from designers including Chanel and Ralph Lauren.
Cruz did not win the 2007 Academy Award; Helen Mirren won Best Actress for The Queen. Cruz’s nomination nevertheless marked a major international milestone and helped make the Versace look especially memorable.