Vogue Gets Ethnic with Penelope Cruz

MÁS DE LO MISMO Cruz in Vogue

Though graced with massive budgets and piles of couture gowns, Vogue went the well-trodden route with its December cover girl, Penelope Cruz, casting her alongside a slew of Spanish bullfighters while clad in ruffled gowns, giant hoop earrings, and beaded crosses. Lest you forget Cruz is, you know, Spanish.

The heavy-handed Annie Leibovitz photo shoot (large pic after the jump), titled "Made in Spain," ticked off several boxes for the style bible. Absurd Dior Haute Couture dresses that resemble matador's costumes? Check! Sultry flamenco scenes? Check! Anonymous ethnic villagers used as props? Check!

Sure, we appreciate that Cruz is promoting her latest film, Manolete, in which she stars as the wife of a famous bullfighter, played by Adrien Brody. But this is certainly not the first time a stylist or a magazine has persuaded her to play the part of the Spanish siren. This year at both the Golden Globes and Oscars, Cruz was stuffed into ruffled, flamenco-inspired gowns by Chanel and Versace, respectively, and we ran out of fingers when we tried to count the times she's been shot holding a lace fan or some such "native" adornment.