Boho beauty Monica Cruz exudes glamour in white lace jacket and flared jeans as she attends fashion launch

By KATE THOMAS FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 16:40, 6 April 2016 | UPDATED: 18:13, 6 April 2016

She's following in the footsteps of her older sister Penelope Cruz by carving out an acting career.

And Monica Cruz also looked identical to the A-list actress as she attended the launch for the new Dandara collection in Madrid, Spain on Wednesday.

The 39-year-old beauty oozed sophistication in a bohemian ensemble as she worked her magic in front of the cameras.

Sitting pretty: Monica Cruz looked incredible in a white lace jacket and jeans as she promoted the new Dandara clothing collection in Madrid, Spain on Wednesday

Monica looked lovely in a white jacket with sheer lace panels, worn over a simple vest top.

She added a 70s chic vibe to the attire with a pair of denim flares, set off with white platform heels.

The stunning star styled her highlighted hair in a voluminous blow dry, and set off her killer cheekbones with heavy bronzer.

Chic: The 39-year-old actress set off her 70s style ensemble with a pair of white platform heels 

Seeing double: Monica was a dead ringer for her older sister Penelope, 41, with her dark features and sun-kissed locks 

Monica set off her dark eyes with smokey eye shadow and enhanced her plump pout with nude lipstick, making her resemblance to her sister all the more striking.

Monica may not be as globally famous as her sister Penelope but she is a well known celebrity in her native Spain.

She rose to fame in the early 2000s as a star of TV show Un Paso Adelante and has worked with Penelope on a line for Spanish clothes retailer Mango.

The star welcomed her daughter Antonella in May 2013 after deciding to become a single mother and turning to an anonymous sperm donor to get pregnant.

Making an appearance: Monica may not be as globally famous as her sister Penelope but she is a well known celebrity in her native Spain

She told Spanish website lainformacion.com: 'I'm so happy. It's the best thing that has happened to me.'

The model revealed the truth about her pregnancy on her web based blog for Spanish newspaper El País, admitting she had taken the decision over fears she wouldn't meet her perfect man in time to start a family.

She said: 'I wanted to avoid, above all, that they spoke about possible fathers or the possible candidates to be it.

Monica decided to speak publicly about her pregnancy to address the inevitable questions she would get about the identity of the father.

'So I have decided to tell all. To become pregnant, I turned to artificial insemination.

'I want to tell, also, so I can have the opportunity to show my thanks to all those anonymous men that help to give many women like me, the dream of their lives.'

Single mother: Monica decided to welcome her daughter Antonella in May 2013 by herself for fear that she would never meet the right man to start a family with

Read more:

• EL PAÍS: el periódico global
• Últimas noticias - Lainformacion.com, te contamos lo que está pasando y te explicamos lo que va a pasar

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3526649/Monica-Cruz-exudes-glamour-white-lace-jacket-fashion-launch.html#ixzz454lBloco
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Penelope Cruz directs Irina Shayk in racy advert for her Agent Provocateur underwear line

Penelope Cruz directs Irina Shayk in racy advert for her Agent Provocateur underwear line - and enlists help of pregnant sister Mónica and husband Javier Bardem

• Oscar-winning actress designed lingerie collection with her sister
• She wrote and directed the raunchy promotional video
• Short film features Ronaldo's girlfriend Irina Shayk giving sexy lap dance
• Penelope's husband Javier Bardem also makes cameo

By LUCY WATERLOW

PUBLISHED: 00:02, 1 August 2013 | UPDATED: 21:50, 1 August 2013

Oscar-winning actress Penelope Cruz has added another string to her bow by turning writer and director for a promotional video for her new underwear range with Agent Provocateur.

The 39-year-old, who gave birth to her second child this month, designed the L'Agent collection with her younger sister, Monica, 36.

While fans of the Spanish actress may be disappointed she doesn't make an appearance in the video herself, she has assembled a host of attractive models to take her place showcasing the lingerie.

Scroll down for videos

Respectable: The video begins with Miguel Angel Silvestre's character arriving at a party

Transformed: But the women are suddenly all in their underwear when he dons his 'L'Agent' sunglasses

Tough job: The actor admitted it was hard to concentrate being surrounded by scantily-clad models

Too good to be true: With his shades on, he sees women frolicking in their lingerie

On sale soon: The plot twist allows Penelope to show off the bra, briefs and suspenders in her L'Agent range

Quest: 'L'Agent' searches the party for Irina, right

Seductive: When he finds her, he's treated to a lap dance as she models the 'Penelope' lingerie

Star of the steamy show is Russian model, Irina Shayk, who is dating footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. In the video, she becomes the object of affection for actor Miguel Angel Silvestre, who pursues her at a party full of scantily-clad women and is rewarded with a lap dance.

Migeul plays the part of 'L'Agent' who is able to see the women at the party in their underwear when he puts on his sunglasses.

But of course, it's all too good to be true and he is woken from his dance with Irina by his boss - played by Penelope's Oscar winning husband, Javier Bardem.

Penelope Cruz's sizzling Agent Provocateur ad

Creative: Penelope Cruz said she wanted to tell a story with the video showcasing her lingerie collection

Behind the scenes: The actress instructs a model on how to pose

Directing: Penelope said she can find beauty 'in so many different types of women'

Yummy mummy: Penelope's underwear co-designer and sister Monica models in the video while heavily pregnant

Fashionistas: Monica said she and her sister are 'happy and excited' about their debut range hitting stores

In a behind the scenes video of the racy shoot, Penelope reveals her creative intentions. 

She said: 'It's important to send the message that this is for everybody. I can find beauty in so many different types of women. I didn't just want to show the beautiful bodies of the models, I wanted to tell a story.'

Miguel said he was delighted when he was asked to star in the video and work with Penelope and Javier - as well as a host of beautiful, half-naked women.

He said: 'It was a gift when Penelope called me as I really like the way she acts. When she told me she was going to direct I thought she would do something very special.'

He added that it wasn't easy to keep his cool when he was working with Irina, which at times led to him dissolving into giggles.

Irina Shayk behind the scenes on Agent Provocateur ad

Guest star: Javier makes a cameo appearance at the end of the video

Job satisfaction: The trio on set look at a play back of their work

He said: 'I was surrounded by women in their underwear all day... I really had to concentrate.. this job is something I'm never going to forget!'

While Penelope chose to stay behind the camera, her co-designer sister does have a cameo and at the time was heavily pregnant (she has since given birth to her daughter).

Penelope said: 'I got my sister a few days before she gave birth and I thought she wasn't going to make it but she came and looked beautiful.'

Flirty and fun: The range includes the boldly-coloured satin Marisela, left, while the Monica uses hot pink to reflect her playful spirit

New looks: The sisters say the collection, including the Karmen, left, and Clementina are wearable and flattering

Garments in their debut lingerie range are named after Spanish girls with the Clementina to the Alyce, and of course, the Penelope and Mónica pieces.

The sisters said they have wanted to create wearable styles that are flattering and sexy.

The range includes bras, briefs, suspenders and baby doll dresses made using satin, tulle and lace.

While some items come in a classic black and neutral shades, others use bold, vibrant shades such as hot pink and lime green.

The collection will go on sale at stockists including Net-A-Porter.com, Selfridges, House of Fraser and John Lewis.

Watch the promotional video in full and the behind the scenes video on the Agent Provocateur L'Agent You Tube channel

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2382078/Penelope-Cruz-directs-Irina-Shayk-racy-advert-Agent-Provocateur-underwear-line.html#ixzz2alApyvyb
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Penelope Cruz's single sister Monica, 35 reveals 'I'm pregnant by sperm donor'

'I'm pregnant by sperm donor,' reveals Penelope Cruz's single sister Monica, 35

By J J ANISIOBI

PUBLISHED: 16:30, 11 January 2013 | UPDATED: 18:17, 11 January 2013

True tales: Monica Cruz, pictured in 2008, said she couldn't wait to meet the perfect partner and so used artificial insemination to get pregnant

Penelope Cruz's younger sister Monica has admitted that she turned to an anonymous sperm donor to get pregnant.

Monica, 35, was worried that she would not meet the man of her dreams in time to start a family and so sought help through artificial insemination.

The model revealed the truth about her pregnancy on her web based blog for Spanish newspaper El País.

Monica, who models for luxury lingerie brand Agent Provocateur, said that she would have preferred to wait for a perfect match but feared 'it would then be too late for motherhood and [I] could not wait'.

She wrote: 'I am going to be a mother! I have managed to fulfill the dream of a lifetime.

'Because of that I want to share with all of you this special journey and to be able to tell you about all my experiences during this fascinating time.'

Monica decided to speak publicly about her pregnancy to address the inevitable questions she would get about the identity of the father.

Keeping an air of dignity she deliberately 'isolated' and hid herself away from the world during the first few weeks of pregnancy in order to avoid making money from her private life.

Brave soul: Monica, who models for Agent Provocateur, decided to speak publicly about her pregnancy to address the inevitable questions she would get about the identity of the father

She said: 'I wanted to avoid, above all, that they spoke about possible fathers or the possible candidates to be it.

'So I have decided to tell all. To become pregnant, I turned to artificial insemination.

'I want to tell, also, so I can have the opportunity to show my thanks to all those anonymous men that help to give many women like me, the dream of their lives.'

Monica felt uneasy about hiding the manner in which she was able to get pregnant but is happy to be helping make the topic less taboo.

Well planned: Monica, right, is the younger sister of Hollywood star Penelope and didn't want to miss out on having a child

She added: 'If with this I can help others who have doubts, then here you have me if you need me.'

Monica may not be as globally famous as her sister Penelope but she is a well known celebrity in her native Spain.

She rose to fame in the early 2000s as a star of TV show Un Paso Adelante and has worked with Penelope on a line for Spanish clothes retailer Mango.

Shining star: Monica, who has a clothing line for Mango with her sister, hopes that she will make the topic less taboo

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2260880/Penelope-Cruzs-sister-Monica-reveals-used-anonymous-sperm-donor-pregnant.html#ixzz2HniHAKeA
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Mónica Cruz gives Skyfall star Naomie Harris a run for her money in her own plunging black dress

Angling to be a Bond girl? Penelope Cruz's sister Mónica gives Skyfall star Naomie Harris a run for her money in her own plunging black dress

By KIMBERLEY DADDS and JADE WATKINS

PUBLISHED: 03:34, 30 October 2012 | UPDATED: 07:15, 30 October 2012

She was wearing a stunning plunging black dress to the Spanish photocall premiere of her new James Bond film Skyfall.

But Naomie Harris had some tough competition in the fashion stakes when Penelope Cruz's sister Mónica turned up.

For the Spanish actress and dancer looked incredible in her own dangerously low-cut gown at the premiere for the film at Santa Ana Square in Madrid. 

Daring: Naomie Harris wore a daring plunging black dress to the Spanish photocall premiere of Skyfall, where she posed alongside co-stars Jarvier Bardem and Daniel Craig

Stealing her thunder: Naomi, seen right singing autographs for fans, had some tough competition in the fashion stakes from Bardem's sister-in-law Mónica Cruz, who dazzled in a low-cut gown 

Mónica was there to support her brother-in-law Jarvier Bardem, who stars as cyberterrorist Raoul Silva in the spy film.

The 35-year-old displayed her sublime figure in a plunging gown featuring leather and sequin trim.

She accessorised the ensemble with a opalescent clutch bag and some black stilettos.

Sweeping her hair up in a ponytail, she wore heavy wing tip eyeliner and a nude lip for make-up.

Dapper: Naomie's male co-stars looked handsome in their charcoal suits 

Meanwhile Naomie looked sexy in her own daring dress.

The 36-year-old, who plays agent Eve Moneypenny, was trim and terrific in the racy little black dress, cinched in at the waist with a leather belt featuring a panther's head.

Naomie paired the look with some strappy stilettos and also wore her hair in a ponytail.

Shiny: Craig opted for a grey suit with considerable shine 

Pals: They may play enemies in the film, but Craig and Bardem cosied up on the red-carpet

The Pirates of the Caribbean star posed with the man of the hour, Daniel Craig, who looked dapper in a shiny grey suit paired with matching shirt and tie, and Bardem, who opted for a charcoal suit and open-neck blue shirt.

It's been the most anticipated movie of the year, with excitement brewing since the James Bond cast launched the first Skyfall premiere in London last week.

Celebrating: The cast also posed with the film's director Sam Mendes

Stunning: Model Teresa Baca also opted for a racy plunging gown, showing off her considerable cleavage

Showing some skin: Spanish star Tania Llacer flashed some flesh in her pale pink revealing gown

Sparkling: Spanish actress Lola Marceli was sparkling in her glittering backless gown

And while it was tipped to be popular, the 23rd movie in the spy franchise has now certainly made a huge impact.

Not only did it smash box office records in the UK in its opening weekend, but the movie instantly became the number one film in an astonishing 25 markets overseas.

And if that wasn't enough, it also grossed $77.7 million with its opening weekend of release.

Licence to Thrill: Craig has helped to make Skyfall one of the most successful James Bond movies so far if its opening weekend statistics are anything to go by

It really does have a licence to thrill! New James Bond movie Skyfall has grossed $77.7 million in its opening weekend, getting to number one in 25 overseas markets

The film, starring Craig in his third outing as 007 as well as new Bond girls Harris and Berenice Marlohe, opened to an astonishing $32.4 million (£20.1 million) in Britain alone.

According to Deadline.com, the figure means that it is the biggest opening weekend for a film in 2012 so far, it smashed the all-time Saturday attendance record AND was even the second biggest Friday to Sunday opening off all time in the UK.

Only Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 comes in front of Skyfall for that record.

Winning team: Stars of Skyfall Craig and Harris attended a photocall for the film earlier in the day at the Villamagna Hotel

Making an impact: Harris wore a burgundy strapless satin frock to one of the latest promotional date on their tour

The film also left scores of other countries shaken and stirred, including the likes of France, Russia, Korea, Bulgaria and Brazil.

It also proved that Craig's popularity in the iconic role is rising as figures dramatically beat his first two turns as the super spy.

Deadline reports that Skyfall's launch was 76 per cent bigger than his first Bond movie, Casino Royale.

They must be pleased: Skyfall director Mendes, latest 007 villain Bardem, Bond Girl Harris and the man himself Craig would have no doubt been delighted with the opening weekend figures

Smashing records: It grossed $32.4 million in the UK alone, making it the biggest opening in Britain of 2012 so far

He's back and means business: Daniel Craig appears in the 23rd Bond movie alongside his new Bond girls Naomie Harris and Berenice Marlohe

And it was 30 per cent bigger than 2008's Quantum Of Solace.

The statistics seem to suggest the film could go on to smash even more records, with Hollywood expecting it to top Quantum Of Solace overall, which grossed a total of $586m (£367.4 m).

Meanwhile 2006's Casino Royale grossed $594.2m (£372.5m) in total, making it the highest grossing film in the Bond Franchise to date.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2225111/Penelope-Cruzs-sister-M-nica-gives-Skyfall-star-Naomie-Harris-run-money-plunging-black-dress.html#ixzz2Am7HUMsp
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