‘That Dress’ - Classic PR Stunts

July 14, 2009

There are many classic PR stunts that have been pulled by people in the public eye, but not many that stay in the memory for as long as Liz Hurley in ‘that dress’. Remember the seemingly unknown Elizabeth Hurley when she turned up to star studded event on the arm of Hugh Grant back in the ’90s in the safety pin dress. Well ‘that dress’ as it’s now known has been voted the best red carpet dress of all time.

It was worn to the premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral back in 1994 and many celebs have tried to repeat the PR stunt over the last decade and a half, however it has yet to be surpassed.

Held together by little other than large gold safety pins, pictures of the luscious Liz appeared around the world in newspapers, magazines and on the TV. Liz Hurely has since moved on to model, appear in films and set up her own range of swim wear. The dress is widely regarded as the reason she has managed to increase her profile and make a career. What a PR stunt!!!

A Telegraph report listed the top 20 ‘red carpet dresses’ back in 2009. The results of the top 10 are as follows:

1. Liz Hurley - ‘That Versace ’safety pin’ Dress’ (1994)

2. Audrey Hepburn - White flower pattern Givenchy dress (1954)

3. Julia Roberts - black Valentino dress (2001)

4. Catherine Zeta Jones - Versace red dress (1999)

5. Jennifer Lopez - sheer green Versace dress (2000)

6. Keira Knightley - one shoulder plum Vera Wang dress (2006)

7. Kate Winslet - one shouldered red flower strap gown by Ben de Lisi (2002)

8. Halle Berry - embroidered net Elie Saab topped dress (2002)

9. Bjork - Swan dress from Marjan Pejoski (2001)

10. Kate Moss - Ripped gold satin classic gown by Christian Dior (2007)