At the 74th edition of the San Sebastián Film Festival, Madrid-born actress Penélope Cruz presented The Invite and La Bola Negra. She took a prominent place at one of Spain's most closely watched film events, moving from an ornate couture-style minidress to a major Chanel runway look.
The second appearance made the bigger fashion statement. Cruz wore Look 77 from Chanel's Cruise 2026/27 collection, the first Cruise collection created by Matthieu Blazy as head of the maison. A fitted bodice narrowed into a deep V-shaped neckline, while large sleeves framed a feather flower at the center of the décolletage.
As a Chanel ambassador, Cruz was a natural choice to wear one of the house's newest looks. Her appearance put the Spanish actress at the center of Chanel's public presentation in San Sebastián. ELLE and other specialist fashion publications cast the moment as part of the house's shift into a new design era under Blazy, rather than simply a celebrity appearance in a runway dress.
That was the evening-gown statement. Her first premiere took a more detailed and unexpected path.
For The Invite, directed by Olivia Wilde, Cruz chose a black minidress by Miss Sohee. South Korean designer Sohee Park, who is based in the United Kingdom, founded the label. Park studied at Central Saint Martins and built her reputation in couture after working alongside Marc Jacobs and Molly Goddard. ELLE identified the dress as a Spring/Summer 2026 design.
The dress paired a strapless corset with a short skirt covered in embroidery and shimmering embellishments. The top section suggested fish scales or a mermaid; dense floral patterns with an Oriental inspiration covered the lower part. A boat neckline framed the corset, while black silk draped down the sides, giving the strapless shape the look of a balcony.
Cruz carried a matching jewel clutch and wore jewelry from Zoya, a brand of Indian origin. She had also worn the brand's pieces at the Toronto festival. Black strappy sandals completed the look, with an ankle strap and large platform reinforcing its Oriental styling.
The difference between the two appearances was clear. Miss Sohee brought ornate detail and a short silhouette; Chanel offered formal scale and couture authority. Together, the looks reflected Cruz's roles at the festival as an actress and fashion ambassador.
Her film schedule was just as large. In The Invite, Cruz shares the cast with Seth Rogen and Edward Norton under Wilde's direction. Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, known as Los Javis, directed La Bola Negra. The film was selected to represent Spain in the race toward the Academy Awards.
The official festival diary placed these appearances within a wider 2026 programme that drew impressive international attention to San Sebastián. Cruz's festival slate included The Invite and La Bola Negra, along with Bunker.
That combination gave her San Sebastián visit its weight. She presented two anticipated projects across the festival's red carpets, carrying a carefully chosen message from one of fashion's most influential houses.
