As the only Spanish actress to ever win an Oscar, Penélope Cruz’s place within the ceremony’s history is one-of-a-kind, much like her style. Over the past 25 years, Cruz has delighted the Oscars red carpet in dazzling designs by Versace, Chanel and Balmain, to name a few.
Ahead of Sunday’s ceremony, where Cruz is expected to present, a look back at her Academy Awards fashions from 2000 to now.
2000
Penélope Cruz at the 2000 Oscars.
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Cruz wore a strapless blue satin gown from Chanel’s spring 1995 couture collection, which she accessorized with a matching sheer shawl and a dainty diamond necklace. While the actress didn’t take home an Oscar at the ceremony, the movie she starred in, Pedro Almadóvar’s “All About My Mother,” won Best Foreign Language Film.
2001
Penélope Cruz at the 2001 Oscars.
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At the 2001 ceremony, Cruz opted for a beaded lace gown by Ralph Lauren featuring a backless, off-the-shoulder silhouette.
2005
Penélope Cruz at the 2005 Oscars.
Donato Sardella
In 2005, Cruz favored a custom yellow taffeta design by Oscar de la Renta, complete with a bow that extended into a floor-length train. The actress also carried a crystallized clutch and layered on yellow diamond-encrusted jewels by Chopard, including bracelets, earrings and a ring.
2007
Penélope Cruz at the 2007 Oscars.
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Cruz modeled a blush Atelier Versace gown featuring a drop-waist silhouette and feathered skirt. A matching satin clutch and Chopard jewelry completed her look. That evening, Cruz was nominated for her first Oscar, Best Actress for “Volver,” another Almadóvar film.
2008
Penélope Cruz at the 2008 Oscars.
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Cruz once again favored a feathered silhouette at the 2008 Oscars, where she donned a Chanel couture number with a draped skirt and corseted bodice. She attended the ceremony in support of husband Javier Bardem, who picked up Best Supporting Actor for “No Country for Old Men.”
2009
Penélope Cruz at the 2009 Oscars.
Donato Sardella
Cruz won her first Oscar in a vintage Balmain gown. Sourced from the Beverly Hills boutique Lily et Cie, the strapless lace design dates back to the 1950s. Cruz, who won Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” initially spotted the dress eight years prior.
“I told myself that someday I would come back for it,” Cruz told the press following her win. “I saw it again last week and it looked good on me, so I thought it was a good sign.”
The actress accessorized with a Judith Leiber clutch and Chopard jewelry, including a yellow diamond cocktail ring.
2010
Penélope Cruz at the 2010 Oscars.
Donato Sardella
In 2010, Cruz was up for her third Oscar, Best Supporting Actress for the musical “Nine.” At the ceremony, she wore a pleated red duchess satin gown by Donna Karan. She also added on a black feathered clutch and Chopard jewels.
2011
Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz at the 2011 Oscars.
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Cruz rocked another red look at the 2011 ceremony. She attended alongside Bardem, Best Actor nominee for “Biutiful.” Cruz selected a L’Wren Scott frock from the label’s spring 2011 collection, which featured stripes of scarlet, burgundy and orange sequins. Christie’s auctioned off the piece in 2021, where it fetched more than $4,000, more than twice its estimate.
2012
Penélope Cruz at the 2012 Oscars.
Fairchild Archive/Penske Media
Cruz made an ethereal entrance in a custom periwinkle off-the-shoulder gown by Armani Privé. A matching satin clutch and Chopard jewelry, including a platinum-set diamond necklace and cluster earrings, completed her look.
2014
Penélope Cruz at the 2014 Oscars.
Donato Sardella
Cruz evoked a Grecian goddess in a draped powder pink gown by Giambattista Valli couture, which was adorned with a black bow belt. Her accessories included a satin tassel box clutch and diamond chandelier earrings by Chopard.
2020
Penélope Cruz at the 2020 Oscars.
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Cruz’s high-low silk dress at the 2020 Oscars was based on a design from Chanel’s spring 1995 collection. Complete with a pearl belt and the French fashion house’s signature camellia flower, it featured a halter neckline. The actress paired her custom frock with Atelier Swarovski jewels.
2022
Penélope Cruz at the 2022 Oscars.
Gilbert Flores
Cruz wore Chanel once again at the 2022 Oscars, with her cutout halter-neck look taking inspiration from a fall 2020 couture design. 680 hours of work were put into making the gown, which featured a sequined tweed bow at the collar. Her jewelry and shoes were also by the French label.
That year, Cruz was nominated for her fourth Oscar: Best Actress for Almadóvar’s “Parallel Mothers.”
