Liz Hurley wore 'That Dress' after snub by fashion designers, says Hugh Grant
![Liz Hurley was catapulted to fame by the daring dress she wore to the premiere of Four Weddings And A Funeral in 1994 [Image: Getty]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/fiWqkWsfScdYEXBCt0vd_w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02Nzc-/https://media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com/creatr-uploaded-images/2019-12/d925c8b0-24a4-11ea-9fea-e8fa1826d160)
It was the dress that helped her star soar - but Liz Hurley slipped on her that famous safety pin dress by complete accident.
The model, 54, turned heads when she wore a now-iconic daring black gown, held together by oversized gold safety pins, to the premiere of Four Weddings And a Funeral with then-boyfriend Hugh Grant in 1994.
Now the actor, 59, has revealed that his unknown 28-year-old date - who accompanied him to the launch of the film, which made him a household name, in London’s Leicester Square - that she put on the low-cut dress after being snubbed by a string of top designers.
In a BBC documentary, he explained that she had called up several fashion houses in the hope they would lend her something to wear to the glamorous event - however they refused, claiming they hadn’t heard of her.
![The black Versace gown was held together by oversized gold safety pins [Image: Getty]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/hofzKvqTJnlu5u_3uEBobg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTE1MTQ-/https://media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com/creatr-uploaded-images/2019-12/61e71020-24a8-11ea-bdff-d65a2f668992)
READ MORE: Elizabeth Hurley, 54, shows off her figure in striped bikini - 'Just like a fine wine'
Hugh - then aged 33 - said: "There was a big premiere and someone told us - we knew nothing then, me and Elizabeth, about how you sort of cope with those things - someone said: 'Oh you can borrow things from top designers.'
"Poor Elizabeth rang some top designers and they all said: 'No, who are you?' or 'No, we're not lending you anything.'
"Then Versace said: 'Yes, we'll lend you a dress', and they just sent one round which is that one with the safety pins.
"So she shoved it on and I raised my eyebrows a fraction and we set off."
READ MORE: Elizabeth Hurley reveals £16.15 beauty secret as she swaps bikinis for winter fashion staple
When Liz stepped out onto the red carpet, she sent photographers into a frenzy - and ‘That Dress’ has proceeded to influence the fashion industry ever since.
She and Hugh split up in 2000 when he was caught cheating on her with a Hollywood prostitute.
The star - who runs a successful swimwear line - has insisted she had no ideal that her outfit would generate so much discussion.
In 2018, when asked by Harper’s Bazaar if she had any idea of how the outfit would go down in history, she replied: “No, not at all! How could I?
READ MORE: Elizabeth Hurley, 54, reveals go-to suncream as she sunbathes in striped bikini
“In retrospect, it's an interesting feeling. A few years ago, I got a lot of calls wondering what I thought of the dress' 20th birthday.
“I have to say, I hadn't known it was the dress' 20th birthday - that was news to me.
“I'm delighted a dress I wore might be something someone would think about, but it wasn't really that big a deal to me at the time."
