Elizabeth Hurley wearing the Versace dress in 1994.Photo:Michael Stephens - PA Images/PA Images via Getty
Michael Stephens - PA Images/PA Images via Getty
Elizabeth Hurleyis revealing how she kept one of her most iconic — and daring — looks from causing a wardrobe malfunction.
In an exclusive conversation with PEOPLE tied to her new movieStrictly Confidential, the actress, 58, opens up about the gold safety pin Versace dress she wore to the 1994 premiere ofFour Weddings and a Funeral.
“Well, the funny thing is actually with all couture clothes is that even though they look daring and whatever, they’re so grounded on your body. So that’s probably the first incredibly expensive dress I’d ever put on in my life,” Hurley says.
Noting that she had “never even heard of Versace when I was offered that dress to wear,” the mother of one continues, “It was constructed in the most extraordinary way.”
“Before I left the house, I bent down and touched my toes and stretched and wiggled and nothing moved, because, you don’t need to know why nothing moves, but they’re all held together somewhere,” adds Hurley. “And that was my first experience of that.”
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Elizabeth Hurley wears the Versace dress to the ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’ London premiere.Michael Stephens - PA Images/PA Images via Getty
According to Hurley, wearing the iconic dress 30 years ago was the first — and last — time she ever wore the gown. “The last time I wore it was that day in 1994,” she tells PEOPLE. “Then it went straight back to Versace the next day.”
Noting that the piece has since “done tours” because it is a “very famous dress,” Hurley jokes, “It has a career of its own. It’s a well-traveled dress.”
“It was just amazing to have something on that was so beautifully crafted,” she adds. “And it looked incredibly daring, but it was actually completely safe. Like wearing the bathrobe, really.”
Elizabeth Hurley and Hugh Grant at the premiere of ‘Four Weddings and A Funeral’ in 1994.Dave Benett/Getty
Dave Benett/Getty
Back in 2019,Donatella Versaceopened up toInStyleabout Hurley’s unforgettable look, telling the publication how itinitially came to be.
“I know, you’d expect something more interesting behind one of the most famous red-carpet dresses in history, but, as for many things, chance played a big role in making it all happen," she said.
The night before the premiere, Versace got a request from Hurley, then 28, who “needed” a dress for the event as she was accompanying her then-boyfriendHugh Grant.
“No one could really fathom such an astonishing reaction, or that Liz would steal the spotlight from everyone else,” said Versace, 68.
She added that Hurley tried on the design, which she said “flattered her perfectly," and the rest was history.
Strictly Confidentialis in theaters and available on VOD now.For more on Elizabeth and Damian Hurley, pick up the new issue ofPEOPLE.
source: people.com
