How Eva Mendes Is Single-Handedly Resurrecting Vintage Glamour

She's one of the sexiest women in Hollywood, with the kind of sultry signature style that calls to mind iconic beauties like Sophia Loren and Ava Gardner. From her glossy cascading tresses to a perfect pout, Eva Mendes has clearly been blessed in the beauty department, but she doesn't rely solely on her good looks to get the job done. With an affinity for ultrafemme, vintage looks via ethereal gowns and twirl-prompting midi skirts, Eva is the epitome of ladylike glamour. The star's soft classic style has produced a cult like following, so it came as no surprise that Eva's collaboration with New York & Company has been flying off the shelves.

In honor of the Ms. Mendes's 40th birthday tomorrow — please give us your beauty secrets, Eva! — we're taking a look back at over a decade of Eva's most smoldering fashion moments.

— Additional reporting by Hannah Weil

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Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

Simply styled in white, with a pop of color via her bold shoulder bag, for a The Others LA premiere in 2001.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

A rare moment in menswear — and sporting superlong locks — in 2002.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

Mendes topped her curve-hugging LBG with a luxe fur stole for the 2003 NYC premeire of Stuck on You.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

A blond Eva sported a sexy strapless for the Teen Choice Awards in '05.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

Making a statement in a printed pencil skirt in 2006.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

For the 2006 Scream Awards, Mendes showcased another skirt and top look, this time with a retro spin.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

A faux bob and a sweet, yellow strapless for a film premiere in '07.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

The intricate neckline of Eva's angelic gown lent a supersexy touch in 2007.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

At the 2007 CFDA Awards, Eva glowed in a fuchsia Calvin Klein.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

Channeling a more casual vibe, but just as sultry, in a wild-print mini and heels at the Cannes Film Festival in '07.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

A full-bodied, leather-belted, leopard-print look during the 2007 Cannes Film Festival.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

A total bombshell moment on the red carpet at the MTV Movie Awards in '07.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

Exuding Grecian goddess vibes on the red carpet for the 2007 premeire of We Own the Night.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

A full-skirted leopard-print for a Comic-Con party in '08.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

A fiery embellished neckline brightened her long black gown in 2008.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

How stunning is this aqua-hued creation?

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

Deliciously girlie ruffles for the 2008 Butterfly Ball.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

Proving the power of white in a minimalist stunner at the 2008 CFDA Awards.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

For the 2008 Lifetime Life Achievement Awards, Mendes chose an architectural navy strapless.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

Orange crush! A velvety, orange-hued frock for a Cartier charity event in '08.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

Colorblocking has never looked so good. Eva made a bold statement in Dior during Paris Fashion Week in 2009.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

A sculptural, ruffled black gown in Sydney in '08.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

This Calvin Klein number housed the perfect balance of sophistication and sex appeal.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

Ultraglam glittery and gold for The Women's 2008 NYC screening.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

Another perfectly executed minimalist look for an Elle event in '08.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

A black LBD with colorblock shoulders in '08.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

Eva sported an off-the-shoulder, totally flirtatious, retro-inspired dress for a 2008 cocktail party.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

Mendes stood out on the red carpet in a floral-printed, sunny strapless in 2008.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

Eva glowed in a full-length Christian Dior halter dress at the 2009 Art of Elysium Gala.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

Stunning in white Dior at the 2009 Golden Globes.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

Fabulously sequined, in Chris Benz, for the 2009 screening of Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

Shimmering in a gold, metallic Azzaro Fall 2009 sheath at Cartier's 100th Anniversary party.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

Eva upped the red carpet ante in a sassy printed strapless in Venice in '09.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

A rose-hued J. Mendel sheath while at the 2009 Venice Film Festival.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

Retro-inspired Christian Dior polka dots and shades for the 2009 Venice Film Festival.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

Making a glamazon entrance at the 2009 GQ Men of the Year Awards.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

A modern, short gray sheath and booties in '09.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

Staying true to her affinity for feminine cuts, Eva stunned in a little bow-belted dress at The Other Guys premiere in August 2010.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

A gorgeous emerald green halter dress and a colorful clutch in 2010.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

Even a full-length black sheath can't hide Eva's curves — showing off her enviable figure at the 2010 Toronto Film Festival.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

In 2010, Mendes had a showstopping goddess moment in Grecian-inspired gold in Morocco.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

Mendes rocked a sequined animal-print one-shoulder Stella McCartney at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

Eva keeps it totally femme in ankle-strap wedges and a pretty, belted frock even while running errands in LA in 2010.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
Getty | Neilson Barnard

Eva Mendes Style Evolution

Eva turned up the romance in a ethereal champagne gown and flower headpiece in January 2011.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
Getty | Pascal Le Segretain

Eva Mendes Style Evolution

Having a princess moment in a tulle and sequined midlength dress at Vanity Fair's 2011 Oscars party.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
Getty | Kevin Mazur

Eva Mendes Style Evolution

Looking sexy in a cobalt accordion-style Stella McCartney at the 2011 Met Gala.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

A superflirty, lacy Valentino for the 2011 Critics' Choice Awards.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
Getty | Jason LaVeris

Eva Mendes Style Evolution

A beaded apple green Oscar de la Renta in May 2011.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
Getty | Jon Kopaloff

Eva Mendes Style Evolution

A warm toffee Lanvin halter for the 2011 Young Hollywood Awards.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
Getty | Jason LaVeris

Eva Mendes Style Evolution

For Spike TV's 2011 Guys Choice Awards, all eyes were on Eva in a light lavender Roland Mouret gown featuring a sexy back cutout.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
Getty | Dimitrios Kambouris

Eva Mendes Style Evolution

For the 2012 Met Gala, Mendes chose a tangerine Prada dress adorned with plexi and resin stones on the bodice.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
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Eva Mendes Style Evolution

Eva juxtaposed the understated silhouette of her vibrant Phillip Lim dress with high-impact footwear then completed her 2012 Summer look with a craveable Rebecca Minkoff crossbody.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
Getty | Charley Gallay

Eva Mendes Style Evolution

Mendes was the picture of pastel perfection working a lacy Valentino creation for a Vogue Eyewear event in March 2013.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
Getty | DVT/Star Max

Eva Mendes Style Evolution

Baring her wild side in a pleated Dolce & Gabbana midi dress in Spring 2013. The actress took her leopard creation to new heights via a plaid coat, stacked boots, and floral Thierry Lasry shades.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
Getty | Jamie McCarthy

Eva Mendes Style Evolution

Eva looks stunning in every hue, but the actress glowed a little brighter in this soft coral Prada.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
Getty | Alo Ceballos

Eva Mendes Style Evolution

During a recent outing in NYC, the actress and now designer exuded soft vintage glamour in a gray-hued floral dress and soft pink coat — both from her own collaboration with New York & Company.

Eva Mendes Style Evolution
Getty | Bryan Bedder

Eva Mendes Style Evolution

Cinching a window-pane blouse over a trumpet pencil skirt, both from her New York & Company collection, finishing with sherbet pointed pumps for a 2013 Lucky event.