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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Simply styled in white, with a pop of color via her bold shoulder bag, for a The Others LA premiere in 2001.
A rare moment in menswear — and sporting superlong locks — in 2002.
Mendes topped her curve-hugging LBG with a luxe fur stole for the 2003 NYC premeire of Stuck on You.
A blond Eva sported a sexy strapless for the Teen Choice Awards in '05.
For the 2006 Scream Awards, Mendes showcased another skirt and top look, this time with a retro spin.
A faux bob and a sweet, yellow strapless for a film premiere in '07.
The intricate neckline of Eva's angelic gown lent a supersexy touch in 2007.
Channeling a more casual vibe, but just as sultry, in a wild-print mini and heels at the Cannes Film Festival in '07.
A full-bodied, leather-belted, leopard-print look during the 2007 Cannes Film Festival.
A total bombshell moment on the red carpet at the MTV Movie Awards in '07.
Exuding Grecian goddess vibes on the red carpet for the 2007 premeire of We Own the Night.
A fiery embellished neckline brightened her long black gown in 2008.
Proving the power of white in a minimalist stunner at the 2008 CFDA Awards.
For the 2008 Lifetime Life Achievement Awards, Mendes chose an architectural navy strapless.
Orange crush! A velvety, orange-hued frock for a Cartier charity event in '08.
Colorblocking has never looked so good. Eva made a bold statement in Dior during Paris Fashion Week in 2009.
This Calvin Klein number housed the perfect balance of sophistication and sex appeal.
Another perfectly executed minimalist look for an Elle event in '08.
Casual, but still completely sexy, in platforms and florals while vacationing in Miami.
Eva sported an off-the-shoulder, totally flirtatious, retro-inspired dress for a 2008 cocktail party.
Mendes stood out on the red carpet in a floral-printed, sunny strapless in 2008.
Eva glowed in a full-length Christian Dior halter dress at the 2009 Art of Elysium Gala.
Fabulously sequined, in Chris Benz, for the 2009 screening of Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans.
A gorgeous, romantic halter-style dress for The Hangover's LA premiere.
Shimmering in a gold, metallic Azzaro Fall 2009 sheath at Cartier's 100th Anniversary party.
Eva upped the red carpet ante in a sassy printed strapless in Venice in '09.
A rose-hued J. Mendel sheath while at the 2009 Venice Film Festival.
Retro-inspired Christian Dior polka dots and shades for the 2009 Venice Film Festival.
Making a glamazon entrance at the 2009 GQ Men of the Year Awards.
A white button-down never looked so sexy, dressed up with jewels and funky black skirt in NYC.
Staying true to her affinity for feminine cuts, Eva stunned in a little bow-belted dress at The Other Guys premiere in August 2010.
A gorgeous emerald green halter dress and a colorful clutch in 2010.
Even a full-length black sheath can't hide Eva's curves — showing off her enviable figure at the 2010 Toronto Film Festival.
In 2010, Mendes had a showstopping goddess moment in Grecian-inspired gold in Morocco.
Mendes rocked a sequined animal-print one-shoulder Stella McCartney at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards.
Eva keeps it totally femme in ankle-strap wedges and a pretty, belted frock even while running errands in LA in 2010.
Eva turned up the romance in a ethereal champagne gown and flower headpiece in January 2011.
Having a princess moment in a tulle and sequined midlength dress at Vanity Fair's 2011 Oscars party.
Looking sexy in a cobalt accordion-style Stella McCartney at the 2011 Met Gala.
A superflirty, lacy Valentino for the 2011 Critics' Choice Awards.
A warm toffee Lanvin halter for the 2011 Young Hollywood Awards.
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.
Mendes showed her support for Salvatore Ferragamo donning a two-tone wrap halter for the designer's Resort 2012 show.
For the 2012 Met Gala, Mendes chose a tangerine Prada dress adorned with plexi and resin stones on the bodice.
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.
Mendes was the picture of pastel perfection working a lacy Valentino creation for a Vogue Eyewear event in March 2013.
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 looks stunning in every hue, but the actress glowed a little brighter in this soft coral Prada.
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.
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.