KEY POINTS:
Liz Hurley's safety-pin dress has been voted the greatest red carpet gown of all time.
The model-and-actress wore the revealing Versace number for the premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral, which starred her then-boyfriend Hugh Grant.
The plunging black garment - which appeared to be barely held
together at the side by large safety-pins - was a catalyst for the star's quick rise to fame in 1994.
Liz's daring fashion statement beat off competition from legendary actress Audrey Hepburn's white, belted, flower-patterned Givenchy dress, which took second place in the Top 20 Iconic Red Carpet Dresses list.
A spokeswoman for UK department store Debenhams, who carried out the poll, said: "Liz Hurley's daring safety-pin dress is one of the most famous black dresses worn on the red carpet, which made her a household name overnight.
"At the time she was another unknown actress, more famous for being Hugh Grant's girlfriend, but by wearing 'That Dress' she soon had worldwide fame.
"Our research shows how iconic the dresses worn on the red carpet have become, with many of the stars making headlines from their outfits."
Pretty Woman actress Julia Roberts took third place with a vintage black and white Valentino number, while the red Versace gown Catherine Zeta-Jones wore to the 1999 Oscars was fourth.
The list also includes dresses worn by Jennifer Lopez, Keira Knightley, Kate Winslet, Halle Berry, Bjork and Kate Moss.
Debenham's Top 20 Most Iconic Red Carpet Dresses:
1. Liz Hurley - Versace 'safety pin' dress: Four Weddings and a Funeral Premiere (1994).
2. Audrey Hepburn - White, belted, flower-patterned Givenchy dress: Oscars (1954).
3. Julia Roberts - black vintage Valentino dress: Oscars (2001).
4. Catherine Zeta-Jones - red Versace dress: Oscars (1999).
5. Jennifer Lopez - plunging sheer green Versace dress: Grammys (2000)
6. Keira Knightley - dark plum Vera Wang one shouldered dress: Oscars (2006).
7. Kate Winslet - red one shoulder flower strap gown by Ben de Lisi: Oscars (2002).
8. Halle Berry - Elie Saab net and embroidery topped dress: Oscars (2002).
9. Bjork - outrageous swan dress designed by Marjan Pejoski: Oscars (2001).
10. Kate Moss - vintage ripped Christian Dior gold satin gown: The Golden Age Of Couture VIP Gala, V and A Museum (2007).
11. Reese Witherspoon - knee length strapless yellow dress designed by Oliver Theyskens for Nina Ricci: Golden Globes (2007).
12. Cindy Crawford - Versace red plunge dress: Oscars (1991).
13. Gwyneth Paltrow - pink Ralph Lauren gown: Oscars (1999).
14. Charlize Theron - pale blue Christian Dior ruffle dress: Academy Awards (2005).
15. Penelope Cruz - pink strapless feathered Versace dress: Academy Awards (2007).
16. Hilary Swank - navy blue backless Guy Laroche dress: Academy Awards (2005).
17. Gisele - White Christian Dior strapless dress: Oscars (2005).
18. Cher - Bob Mackie's sheer art deco-inspired creation: Oscars (1987).
19. Renee Zellwegger - pastel yellow strapless Lily et Cie dress: Oscars (2001).
20. Uma Thurman - crimson Alberta Ferretti Gown: Oscars (2000).
- BANG! SHOWBIZ
