Penelope Cruz exuded timeless Hollywood glamor at the 2025 Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles over the weekend, turning heads with a voluminous haute couture blowout by celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos.
The annual gala, held at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, is one of the film industry’s most prestigious events, bringing together A-list talent, fashion icons, and film luminaries. Cruise’s look perfectly captured the evening’s fusion of high fashion and celebration, with her cascading, full-bodied waves evoking old Hollywood elegance mixed with a modern red carpet-ready edge.
Known for her work with global superstars, Giannetos elevated her classic explosion with precision, brilliance, and effortless sophistication, complementing her ethereal ensemble, making her one of the night’s standout style moments.
Also on Giannetos’ agenda was a day of easy chops, which began with cutting Cruz’s hair into a blunt style that brushed her décolleté, a fresh yet classic style that framed her face. “I wanted to highlight Penelope’s gorgeous Chanel dress and give her a haute couture vibe,” he says. “I first cut her long brunette hair to a blunt decollete length and added some caramel flan highlights to add warmth. Then I gave her voluminous curls, let them set, and finished with an extreme side part for an elegant, Old Hollywood finish.”
To create Cruz’s voluminous curls, Giannetos set the curls, let them cool, and then gently brushed them out to create body and soft movement. The finishing touch: The extreme side part creates a sleek, sculptural silhouette that adds a modern edge to timeless elegance. The result was the perfect blend of glamor and sophistication, perfect for this season’s most high-profile red carpet moments.
