Supermodel Amber Valletta speaks out about wearing JLo’s Versace dress first

Amber Valletta has spoken out about being the first to wear Versace’s iconic ‘jungle dress’ before Jennifer Lopez ‘broke the internet’ in the same ensemble the following year.

The 49-year-old discussed the silk chiffon gown during Vogue’s Life In Looks where she looked back at the most striking outfits from throughout her career.

The supermodel revealed that she had worn the designer dress in 1999 before JLo made it famous on the Grammys red carpet in 2000.

She also discussed the ‘infamous’ Todd Oldham Spring/Summer show during which fellow model Shalom Harlow caused quite the stir when she overtook Amber on the runway.

Amber Valletta has spoken out about being the first to wear Versace’s iconic ‘jungle dress’ in 1999 (left) before Jennifer Lopez ‘broke the internet’ in the same ensemble the following year (right)

The supermodel revealed that she had worn the designer dress both on the runway and in campaigns (pictured)

The 49-year-old discussed the silk chiffon gown during Vogue’s Life In Looks where she looked back at the most striking outfits from throughout her career

In a video for Vogue, released earlier this week, Amber spoke about the ‘infamous jungle dress’ that she wore in 1999.

‘I wore it on the runway, then obviously I did the campaign – and then JLo wore it to the Grammys,’ she said.

Amber said that the singer’s appearance was a ‘massive iconic moment,’ adding: ‘This dress has been Googled more times than any other look in history.

‘Literally broke the internet when [JLo] wore it, so kind of cool to be a part of that history, but I wore it first.’

And, as recently as 2019, JLo was still making reference to the statement printed dress.

She earned a standing ovation from onlookers at the Versace Spring/Summer 2020 presentation during Milan Fashion Week when she recreated the look.

In the interview with Vogue, Amber also made reference to her appearance at the ‘infamous’ Todd Oldham Spring/Summer show in 1995, which she branded as ‘such a funny moment in fashion.’

The incident saw fellow model Shalom Harlow overtake Amber at the end of the runway, which many decided indicated a rift.

And, as recently as 2019, JLo was still making reference to the statement printed dress and earned a standing ovation from onlookers at the Versace Spring/Summer 2020 presentation during Milan Fashion Week (pictured) when she recreated the look

Amber also made reference to her appearance at the ‘infamous’ Todd Oldham Spring/Summer show in 1995, which sparked rumors of a rift between her and fellow model Shalom Harlow (pictured together)

She revealed: ‘What’s funny is people do like to make this into a drama, which is hilarious to me because it was so not a drama.’

Amber said that Shalom had been walking ‘extra saucy’ down the runway, before adding: ‘She was feeling that short skirt and all of a sudden was in front of me at the end of the runway, which obviously [we] don’t normally do.

‘We start walking back and I remember her saying to me like “keep up with me” so I’m walking obviously as fast as I can cause she’s walking at a breakneck speed and then she says “now turn.”‘

The pair both struck a pose and exchanged glances before heading backstage.   

Amber admitted that she had been ‘walking extra slow’ that day before blaming it ‘on the shoes.’

And, despite the uproar, the duo remain good friends to this day.