Elizabeth Hurley recreates iconic Versace safety pin dress 25 years on

‘Gianni made that dress for a woman who is sure of herself and who isn’t afraid to break the rules’

Elizabeth Hurley has recreated the iconic Versace safety pin dress she wore to the premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral 25 years ago.

In 1994, Hurley was a little-known actor when she attended the premiere of the classic Richard Curtis romantic-comedy alongside her then-boyfriend and star of the film Hugh Grant.

However, the actor was about to receive global renown when she stepped out onto the red carpet in Los Angeles wearing a black plunging dress held together with safety pins.

“I was so unprepared for what happened that night,” Hurley tells Harper's Bazaar.

The 53-year-old says that she was in desperate need for a dress for the premiere, and was lent the gown by a PR agency who "literally fished a dress out of a white plastic bag".

Donatella Versace, vice president and chief designer of the Versace Group, explains the thought process that went behind her late brother Gianni Versace's bold design.

"Gianni made that dress for a woman who is sure of herself and who isn't afraid to break the rules," Donatella states.

"Liz embodies all of this in an extraordinary way."

For the April issue of Harper's Bazaar, Donatella has created an updated version of the safety pin dress which propelled Hurley to worldwide fame.

Captured by British photographer Damon Baker, Hurley strikes a confident pose in front of a sizzling fire as she displays the new design.

Within a year of walking the red carpet with Grant in "THAT dress", Hurley's career had reached new heights, having been named the new face of Estée Lauder.

Elizabeth Hurley with then-boyfriend Hugh Grant at the premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral in 1994 (Rex Features)

The actor and model describes recreating the Versace safety pin dress as "a time revisited with affection".

The original dress was created by combining pieces of silk and lycra fabric.

In 2007, the dress was put on sale for more than £10,000 as part of an exhibition at Harrods in London dedicated to "the little black dress".

In September 2018, it was announced that Michael Kors had agreed to buy Versace for $2.1bn (£1.6bn).

“For over 40 years, Versace has represented the epitome of Italian fashion luxury, a testament to the brand’s timeless heritage," said John D. Idol, chairman and chief executive officer of Michael Kors Holdings.

"We are excited to have Versace as part of our family of luxury brands, and we are committed to investing in its growth."