Amber Valletta unveiled a special piece from her wardrobe at the 2025 CFDA Fashion Awards.
The model, aged 51, donned a legendary Versace gown at the CFDA Fashion Awards, held in New York City on Monday, November 3. The gown, initially showcased by Valletta on the 2000 runway, displayed a lush green foliage pattern accented with hints of blue. It was designed with long sleeves, a plunging neckline extending to her midriff, a transparent skirt, a high leg slit, and shimmering crystals at the hips.
Valletta complemented her jungle-inspired ensemble with sparkling crystal earrings and a matching ring.
She intensified the drama of the look with expertly applied makeup, featuring smoky eyeshadow, lengthy lashes, pink lipstick, and rosy cheeks. Her strawberry blonde hair was styled in a side-parted voluminous blowout.
On the red carpet, Valletta was photographed with Donatella Versace and even embraced the designer.
Admirers expressed excitement upon seeing the iconic look revived on social media. One exclaimed via X, “Oh my God, so Elegant and Beautiful,” while another commented, “She’s still unreal 🔥 eternally gorgeous.” A third raved, “One of the most famous dresses in fashion history. It’s really beautiful.”
Valletta had previously showcased the design while participating in the brand’s Spring 2000 fashion show. At that time, she wore her hair loose and voluminous. She allowed the dress to stand out on its own, foregoing jewelry. Her makeup was complete with a cut crease and long lashes.
Amber Valletta Davide Maestri/Penske Media via Getty Images
The design gained further recognition in 2000, after Jennifer Lopez famously wore it to the 42nd Grammys.
At that time, Lopez, now 56, paired the revealing dress with drop earrings and silver rings. Her brunette hair was styled in a half-updo with delicate curls at the ends.
Lopez reminisced about the sultry moment that caused a sensation online in February 2024 during a Vogue interview.
“It was a dress that had been worn previously by others,” Lopez stated, mentioning that the numerous searches prompted the creation of Google Images in 2001. She revealed that her then-stylist, Andrea Lieberman, had dissuaded her from wearing it, as Donatella, 70, and Spice Girl Geri Halliwell had sported it just months before. She responded to her stylist, “Well, you made the purchase, and it looks its best on me, so I intend to wear it. And that’s what I did. And it generated, as you know, quite a commotion.”
She continued, “I suppose each generation requires its own iconic Marilyn-esque dress, and this one fulfills that role for our generation. The reason it attained that status? It was simply a moment when the wind caught it, and I appeared on stage, and that’s how it unfolded.”
Lopez also mentioned that she “collaborated with Andrea Lieberman for numerous years” before transitioning to “Rob [Zangardi]. Later, she worked alongside Mariel Haenn, yet still seeks Zangardi’s expertise for certain appearances.
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