Flashing a sultry expression as she poses in the mirror with smoky eye make-up and her raven locks cascading over her shoulders, sizzling Spanish senorita Penelope Cruz looks sensational in the Spring/Summer 2013 Loewe ad campaign. In another sexy shot, the Hollywood actress is seen showing off her incredible bone structure as she looks off into the distance. The series of photographs, shot by fashion photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, are the first glimpse at the star's debut for the leather goods brand. In November of last year, it was revealed that Spain's star actress had gone back to her roots as the face of the capital's luxury fashion house. The Madrid-born Oscar-winning A-lister has signed a three-year deal with the brand.
It seems a perfect match for both parties, with Penelope saying: "It's a really, really Spanish brand. It has always taken inspiration from the Spanish tradition, Spanish culture and Spanish history. "I'm really proud to be working with a brand where everything's done here and almost everybody is Spanish." Loewe's creative director and designer Stuart Vevers said it was precisely Penelope's "strong, sensual beauty" that has long been an inspiration and a constant reference for his "ideal of Spanish womanhood". "I always start with the woman and a character. I find film very useful as a fictional character can be liberating creatively."
But this isn't the first brand venture the busy actress has taken part in, having also worked alongside Lancome and L'Oreal as their beauty spokesmodel. Penelope has also kept things in the family, teaming up with younger sister Monica to design and launch a collection of lingerie for British brand, Agent Provocateur. Despite her involvement in so many adventures, the mum-of-one explains that the label's Spanish roots – which promotes values of excellence and craftsmanship – were too good to refuse: "Its collections are made by Spanish master artisans and I have always admired their work. I feel fortunate to be a part of this project."
