Elizabeth Hurley's Jaw-Dropping Versace Safety Pin Dress: A Couture Revelation!
Elizabeth Hurley reflects on her groundbreaking moment in fashion history, sharing the sheer exhilaration of donning her legendary Versace safety pin dress, marking her unforgettable debut in the world of haute couture
Content Elizabeth Hurley's iconic Versace safety pin dress, worn at the 1994 premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral with then-boyfriend Hugh Grant, remains a timeless style moment. The 58-year-old actress made fashion history with the daring garment, featuring a plunging neckline and large gold safety pins holding together openings at the sides.
“It didn’t hurt at all,” exclusively told Hurley as she discussed Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Awareness campaign, while feeling the pressure of pointed clasps against her bare skin. (Hurley has been involved with the campaign for years, and the issue hits close to home as she lost her grandmother to breast cancer nearly three decades ago.)
Dave Benett/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
When I borrowed the dress, it intrigued me because it was my first time borrowing clothing and Versace was not well-known in England. Surprisingly, they did not even have a publicity office in London then, as I mentioned to the interviewer about my native U.K.
Reflecting on the dress, Hurley shared that it held a special place for her because it was her first encounter with couture. Putting it on was an exhilarating moment, but at the same time, I had concerns about its mobility.
She continued, "It was my first time wearing couture, and it didn't budge. Before I left the house, I remember bending down, touching my toes, and moving around, but nothing shifted. I knew it would be comfortable."
Donatella Versace previously revealed the story behind Hurley wearing the gown in InStyle's 25th anniversary issue in August 2019. "The dress sparked conversations worldwide. That's when we began to understand the influence of the red carpet and celebrities in generating discussion," shared Donatella, 68.
The designer revealed that Hurley needed a last-minute outfit to accompany 63-year-old Grant at the screening of Four Weddings and a Funeral. As a favor, Donatella lent it to Hurley. "I realize you might expect a more intriguing backstory behind one of the most iconic red-carpet dresses in history," Donatella shared with InStyle. "But, like many things, chance played a significant role in bringing it all together. No one could have anticipated such a remarkable reaction or that Liz would outshine everyone else."
Dave Benett/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Since then, Hurley's dress has influenced numerous other red carpet moments. Most recently, at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards on September 12, Taylor Swift seemed to take inspiration from Hurley. Swift gracefully walked the pink carpet, wearing an asymmetrical black gown from the esteemed Italian fashion house. The dress was adorned with strategically placed gold hardware that accentuated her bodice.
The safety pin dress is just one of the fashion statements that Hurley is famous for. In addition, she adores the color pink, which has now become a symbol for breast cancer awareness.
Taylor Hill/Getty Images
Hurley expressed her love for the color pink, stating that a considerable portion of her wardrobe consists of pink clothing. She spoke highly of Evelyn Lauder, crediting her as the driving force behind using pink as the color of breast cancer awareness. Hurley has been collaborating with Evelyn for 28 years, starting from her time as a model at Estée Lauder.
"When I initially joined the company as a model, Evelyn approached me and requested my assistance with a campaign. Without hesitation, I agreed and asked for the details. She explained that the campaign aimed to shed light on the alarming rate at which women worldwide were succumbing to breast cancer, a topic that was being overlooked by many. This campaign primarily focused on raising awareness. Additionally, Evelyn took the initiative to establish a breast cancer research foundation, which has since played a crucial role in funding groundbreaking research and significantly contributing to the global understanding of breast cancer."
Hurley added, “So, I just started helping, and I’m still here.”
