Penelope Cruz momentarily left the acting world to try her hand at fashion, and now she is making her debut as film director. Cruz, along with her sister, Monica, designed a new lacy lingerie line called L'Agent in collaboration with British luxury lingerie company Agent Provocateur.
According to Vogue UK, the Spanish actress directed her first film to commemorate the launch of the new line. The short film stars her husband, Spanish actor Javier Bardem, her dancer sister Monica and model Irina Shayk.
The short film was shot in Penelope and Monica's hometown of Madrid, Spain. Her entire family assisted with the process: her brother Eduardo Cruz composed the film's soundtrack, and her mother, Encarna Sanchez, assisted with film production.
Cruz mused on the special significance of the film. "[It was] very personal and important for me, a very interesting experience," Cruz told Women's Wear Daily. "They gave me all the freedom and I was able to tell the story I wanted to tell. I used women of all shapes and sizes, as it was important for me to let women know that this brand is for everyone. I chose Irina, as she is such a vivacious woman, and with all the beautiful women in the campaign, I really needed someone who would keep the audience's attention."
The film is set to premiere Wednesday night at London's Soho Hotel. However, the Cruz family will not be attending the premiere due to Penelope recently giving birth to a baby girl on July 22.
L'Agent is a ready-to-wear collection that will run around $64 for each garment, unlike Agent Provocateur's regularly high-priced luxury couture undergarments. The sultry lingerie will include 15 different styles of bras, underwear and corsets in smoky fall colors like black and burgundy.
Monica served as the face for Agent Provocateur's 2012/2013 campaign, and both Penelope and Monica will be the models for L'Agent. Agent Provocateur was founded in 1994 by designer Joseph Corre, son of designer Vivienne Westwood, and his then-wife Serena Rees. The company now has 30 stores in 13 countries.
L'Agent will hit department stores tomorrow, Aug. 1, just in time for Fall/Winter 2013.