Even if you’re not yet familiar with Spanish model and television presenter Nieves Alvarez—or the avant-garde elegance of Stéphane Rolland Haute Couture—this show-stopping red carpet moment deserves your full attention.
At the 2022 Goya Cinema Awards, Alvarez turned heads in a striking couture creation, making it abundantly clear that she and her longtime stylist Victor Blanco came to make a statement—and they delivered.
Nieves Alvarez in a Stéphane Rolland Spring 2022 Haute Couture gown at the Goya Cinema Awards 2022 red carpet at Palacio de Las Artes Reina Sofía on February 12, 2022, in Valencia, Spain (Credit: Cover Images / Instarimages)
The Dress: A Masterpiece of Geometric Illusion
The gown features an abstract illusion bodice with a bold black circle that offers striking geometric coverage, balanced by a daring nude mesh open back. This empowering choice highlights Alvarez’s timeless confidence at 47. While her heels weren’t visible beneath the voluminous hem, she likely added a few inches with stilettos—not that the 5′10¾″ (1.80 m) model needed the extra height.
The design creates the illusion of a censored silhouette, blending high fashion with a touch of visual provocation that invites interpretation, be it artistic or symbolic.
Adding glamour, a jeweled belt cinches the waist before the look becomes full drama: a sleek white skirt flares into a voluminous, bubble-hemmed bustle worthy of the spotlight.
Nieves Alvarez stuns in a Stéphane Rolland optical illusion gown with a daring nude mesh open back—her heels hidden beneath the voluminous skirt, though the 5′10¾″ model hardly needs the extra lift (Credit: Cover Images / Instarimages)
Styling the Look: From Hair to Accessories
Nieves Alvarez kept her hair sleek and loose, adding to the modernity of the look and (mostly) letting the dress speak for itself.
Some fashion critics think the duo’s addition of Bvlgari uber-sparkly gems may be overkill, but we love them. She’s been an ambassador for the prestigious Italian jewelry brand for several years.
The sparkling earrings accentuated Alvarez’s sculpted features, while the bold bangles added a confident touch of luxury. A dark statement ring complemented her manicure perfectly, lending a subtle edge to an otherwise elegant ensemble.
Her choice to keep her nails at a natural length offered a refreshing contrast to more elaborate red carpet styles. This understated detail pulled the entire look together without overwhelming it.
Bvlgari ambassador Nieves Alvarez wears a crystal-embellished waistband and other jewelry by the Italian luxury brand (Credit: Cover Images / Instarimages)
Please give Nieves Alvarez, stylist Victor Blanco, and Stéphane Rolland Haute Couture a round of applause!
Celebrating the Work of Stéphane Rolland
Stéphane Rolland’s designs have graced numerous celebrities, highlighting his influence in the fashion industry. For instance, Celine Dion captivated audiences at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards in a dramatic white gown from Rolland’s Spring 2017 couture collection.
During Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week, Camila Cabello showcased sophistication in a structured white mini dress from Rolland’s Couture Spring 2023 collection.
Keri Russell also turned heads in a pristine white crepe and chiffon gown from Rolland’s Paris Fall 2016 collection at the Emmys.
Keri Russell’s Simple, Elegant Emmys Red Carpet Look
Keri Russell graced the event in a sophisticated cream Stephane Rolland dress featuring a floor-sweeping train, complemented by shimmering Fernando Jorge earrings, a delicate Priti Patel ring, and a pair of sleek Giuseppe Zanotti shoes (Credit: FayesVision/ Apega/ Nicky Nelson/ WENN)
In September 2016, Keri Russell kept the Emmys red carpet simple, even though several of her fellow A-listers brought the bedazzle.
At the Emmys red carpet, Keri Russell chose understated elegance over the dazzle many of her A-list peers donned (Credit: FayesVision/ Apega/ Nicky Nelson/ WENN)
The only sparkle Keri had was in her eyes for co-star — and real-life boyfriend — Matthew Rhys. Instead of bling, Keri showed off her first Emmy nomination for Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
At the 68th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on September 18, 2016, Keri Russell stood at 5ft 4 (162.6 cm), while Matthew Rhys towered slightly at 5ft 10 ½ (179.1 cm) (Credit: FayesVision/ Apega/ Nicky Nelson/ WENN)
Even though the actress didn’t take home the award that night, we still give her a stamp of approval for her ensemble.
The star of “The Americans” looked gorgeous in her white crepe and chiffon gown from the Stephane Rolland Paris Fall 2016 collection.
Keri Russell turned heads in a pristine white crepe and chiffon gown from Stephane Rolland’s Paris Fall 2016 collection (Credit: FayesVision/ Apega/ Nicky Nelson/ WENN)
She paired her flowing white gown with Giuseppe Zanotti’s famous three-strap sandals in Ramino.
Keri Russell showed off her nude pedicure in Giuseppe Zanotti’s metallic “Coline” sandals, featuring slender gold straps and a sleek stiletto heel (Credit: FayesVision/ Apega/ Nicky Nelson/ WENN)
Keri’s metallic leather “Coline” sandals by Giuseppe Zanotti featured 4.5-inch heels that gave a major lift to her 5-foot-4 (162.6 cm) frame, elongating her silhouette with sleek, gold-accented elegance
Keri Russell displays her feet in Giuseppe Zanotti’s metallic “Coline” sandals, which added a sleek 4.5-inch boost to her red carpet stature (Credit: FayesVision/ Apega/ Nicky Nelson/ WENN)
For readers interested in exploring more about celebrities donning Stéphane Rolland’s creations, consider reading about how Keri Russell was cast as Zorii Bliss in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, where she wore a beautiful Stéphane Rolland gown at the European premiere.
Additionally, Sofia Carson’s appearance in a breathtaking white Stéphane Rolland gown during her performance at the LuisaViaRoma for UNICEF event in Capri showcases the designer’s modern interpretation of couture.