Elizabeth Hurley Reflects on Hugh Grant’s Reaction to Her Safety Pin Dress
A lot has been discussed regarding Elizabeth Hurley’s legendary Versace dress that overshadowed then-boyfriend Hugh Grant during his Four Weddings and a Funeral premiere in 1994.
Grant, now 64, had an immediate reaction that spoke volumes, as Hurley, 59, shared on the December 11 episode of the “The Coop With Kit” podcast: “When he saw me in it for the first time, he just exclaimed, ‘Christ.’’’
And honestly, who could blame him? The daring attire, with its deep neckline and strategically placed cutouts held together by gold Medusa safety pins, was astonishingly bold, even for red carpet fashion.
As Donatella Versace once stated to InStyle in 2019: “That’s when we began to grasp the influence of the red carpet and celebrities in sparking discussions.” Versace, now 69, elaborated: “No one anticipated such an incredible reaction, or that Liz would capture the attention.”
There are certain fashion moments that will always make us swoon — one being Elizabeth Hurley’s famous Versace safety pin dress. The now 58-year-old star made fashion history when she wore the astonishing outfit at the 1994 premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral with then-boyfriend Hugh Grant. This striking ensemble highlighted a […]
Not that Hurley’s companion appeared to mind. A glance at the many red carpet photographs reveals a floppy-haired Grant blushing beside her, seemingly in awe of his good fortune. (The couple dated from 1987 to 2000, and even after their split, they have remained close; Grant is the godfather to Hurley’s 22-year-old son, Damian, whom she shares with Steve Bing.)
To Grant’s credit, he was the one who leveraged connections after several fashion designers declined his request for Hurley to borrow a dress for the event, as they were unfamiliar with her at that time. (At that point, Hurley was primarily a model and had only garnered a few minor acting roles, remaining relatively unknown in Hollywood.)
“Gianni crafted that dress for a woman who is confident in herself and willing to defy expectations,” Donatella shared with Harper’s Bazaar in 2023. “Liz personified all these qualities in an extraordinary fashion.”
Perhaps equally extraordinary is that, according to Hurley, the 1994 premiere has transformed into an (unofficial) anniversary that is recognized and seemingly celebrated each year.
“People call me and say ‘Happy birthday’ to that dress. So indeed, that dress has its own birthdays.” Here’s to the next celebration.
