The supermodel, who presented the plunging dress at Versace’s Spring/Summer 1999 fashion show, spoke to fashion about the iconic design
Amber Valletta is an OG in many ways.
Long before the concept of “It Girl” came into existence, the supermodel took the fashion world by storm. And she has some impressive style moments to prove it.
In their episode of fashionAs part of her “Life in Look” series, Valletta, 49, flipped through a book of her most iconic outfits, including the jungle-print Versace dress that was later worn by 53-year-old Jennifer Lopez and became a pop culture phenomenon.
“I think that dress has been Googled more than any other look in history – when she wore it, the internet literally went down,” Valletta said, referring to the singer’s stunning appearance in the plunging green dress at the Grammys in 2000. “It’s kind of cool to be part of that history.”
However, she noted, “I wore it first.”
Related: Every Star Who Wore (and Recreated!) Jennifer Lopez’s Iconic Versace Grammy Dress
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Valletta was actually the first person to bring the dress to life, posing in it for the brand’s 1999 campaign and presenting it at the opening of the label’s Spring/Summer 2000 show, five months before the Muse The actress took it with her on the red carpet.
“I think that was the pinnacle of Versace’s passionate sexiness. It was the infamous jungle dress,” Valletta recalled.
“Nobody has ever gone out like that; nobody has shown so much skin down below the navel,” she continued of Lopez. “I think it was so ahead of its time and it just said, ‘I am a woman and hear me roar’ – literally from the jungle.”
Donatella Versace’s design for Lopez stayed largely true to the original silhouette – from the jeweled belly button brooch to the sheer leaf-patterned fabric. However, Lopez’s dress was longer than the original, which called for a mid-length cut.
Related: Jennifer Lopez shares the story behind her iconic Versace jungle-print dress
The dress became so memorable that a whole host of celebrities jumped on the forest fashion bandwagon. Tyra Banks, Lisa Rinna and Geri Halliwell are just a few of the A-list celebs who have worn various versions of the style since Valletta.
Lopez even re-introduced the history-making dress in 2019, closing the Italian brand’s show during Milan Fashion Week in the dress, which reached new heights thanks to its unitard silhouette and flowing train.
Related: Amber Valletta on modeling the same jungle-print Versace dress as Jennifer Lopez: ‘She wore it incredibly’
Valletta has shown Lopez nothing but love and camaraderie.
“I never really saw a ‘who wears it best’ between J.Lo and me,” said WSJ Magazine in 2021.
“I think J.Lo wore it incredibly well,” she added. “It’s just an amazing dress that Donatella (Versace) designed that is so enduring and an iconic piece of fashion history. I don’t think it’s about who wears something the best. I think we’re all uniquely beautiful and have something to contribute individually.”
Her conclusion: “Strong women wear powerful clothes.”
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