Stunning Cuban actress Ana de Armas is the latest Bond Girl to thrill fans in the new 007 sequel, No Time to Die.
And in the hit film, which has already grossed more than $668 million worldwide, Ana, 33, stuns in a plunging and backless silk gown.
In an exclusive chat with Daily Mail Australia this week the man behind the dress, Australian designer Michael Lo Sordo, revealed what a thrill it was to be chosen to create the show-stopping frock – and exactly what the top-secret design process was like.
EXCLUSIVE: Meet the Aussie designer behind the new Bond Girl’s stunning gown: Michael Lo Sordo created Ana De Armas’ plunging dress for No Time to Die (pictured)
Michael is the first Australian designer to create a gown for a Bond film.
In true 007 style, he was first approached two years ago by American costume designer Suttirat Anne Larlarb to create a frock for a ‘mysterious project’ – with the name of the film and the actress kept under wraps.
Michael then created a total of 10 identical dresses to be used for filming and in action sequences.
What a feat: Michael is the first Australian designer to create a gown for a Bond film. He is pictured with model Charlee Fraser who wore the frock at the Sydney premiere earlier this week. It retails for $1,790
Top secret: In true 007 style, he was first approached two years ago by American costume designer Suttirat Anne Larlarb to create a frock for a ‘mysterious project’ – with the name of the film and the actress kept under wraps
He revealed it took around six months to ‘get the perfect fit’ for Ana and the scene – although he never got to meet the actress in real life.
Fittings took place via Skype between London and Sydney and only Ana’s measurements were sent to Michael.
In August this year, Michael then found out the dress would feature in the Bond film, which is Daniel Craig’s last run as the fictional British spy.
The film had its world premiere at London’s Royal Albert Hall in September, with A-list guests and members of the royal family including The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in attendance.
‘It is a huge honour to have been selected to create a gown for such a highly anticipated movie release,’ Michael told Daily Mail Australia this week.
What a process: Michael then created a total of 10 identical dresses to be used for filming and in action sequences. He revealed it took around six months to ‘get the perfect fit’ for Ana and the scene – although he never got to meet the actress in real life
Honoured: ‘It is a huge honour to have been selected to create a gown for such a highly anticipated movie release,’ Michael told Daily Mail Australia this week
Daniel’s last Bond film: The film had its world premiere at London’s Royal Albert Hall in September, with A-list guests and members of the royal family including The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in attendance. Daniel is pictured at the event
He described seeing the dress on screen and in the film for the first time as an ‘incredible moment’.
‘I didn’t realise the dress would be so heavily featured in the film until I saw the movie posters,’ he said.
‘The whole process even though it was long, was exciting, and to see it on the posters and then in the film is something I will never forget.’
Michael, who describes his designs as ’empowering and timeless,’ said he loved working with Larlarb and said ‘the team had a very clear understanding of the dress that they were after’.
Show-stopping: He described seeing the dress on screen and in the film for the first time as an ‘incredible moment’. ‘I didn’t realise the dress would be so heavily featured in the film until I saw the movie posters,’ he said
The frock is navy in colour and features a plunging front, a backless design and a daring leg split.
The dress, aptly named the Bond 007 Paloma Maxi Dress, is now available to the public to purchase for $1,790.
Michael said he hopes women will ‘feel and exude confidence’ in the stunning design.
Reflecting on his successful design career and landing the Bond film, Michael said he’s ‘always been a dreamer’.
‘When I was young I felt nothing felt out of reach, I just needed to put in hard work and dedication,’ he explained.
‘My clothes speak for themselves which is why they have such longevity and I think that caught the attention of the costume designers for the film,’ he finished.
Box office hit: The film has already grossed more than $668 million worldwide