It’s been nearly impossible to escape Ryan Gosling in recent months (not that we’re complaining). The La La Land star has been all over the awards show red carpets in recent months, but, alas, the actor was usually flying solo. In fact, his partner, Eva Mendes, hasn’t been seen out and about in half a year—until now. The actress made her first red carpet appearance in six months, wearing a bright aquamarine one-shoulder gown accented by a striped, multicolor belt, at the opening of a new New York & Company store in Miami on Thursday.
Mendes, who is a designer for the brand, was there to celebrate her new line. The last time Mendes stepped out was also for the occasion of a New York & Company event: In September, she turned out in New York City to attend her own Eva Mendes x New York & Company fashion show.
“It is such a thrill to open more stores, especially in the Miami area,” Mendes said in a statement. “I was born in Miami, so this city has always been dear to me.”
This latest public appearance isn’t the first sign we’ve seen that indicates Mendes is making a return to the spotlight. The actress covers the April issue of Shape, talking about why she prefers a night in with her and Gosling’s two daughters—Esmeralda Amada, 2, and Amada Lee, 11 months—to an evening out in the public eye.
“What people don’t know about me is that I love being home,” she told the magazine. “Instead of hitting the red carpet, I’d rather be with our girls.”
And while Mendes was notably absent from her man’s side during awards season, she was at least present in spirit, thanks to Gosling’s heartwarming shout-out to his “lady” in his Golden Globe acceptance speech.
“I’d like to try and thank one person properly, and to say that while I was singing and dancing and playing piano and having one of the best experiences I’ve ever had on a film, my lady was raising our daughter, pregnant with our second, and trying to help her brother fight his battle with cancer,” Gosling said. “If she hadn’t taken all that on so that I could have this experience, it would surely be someone else up here other than me today. So, sweetheart, thank you.”
Eva Mendes’s Style Evolution As Hollywood’s Femme Fatale
Fresh on the scene, Eva attended the LA premiere of The Others wearing a simple white button-up dress paired with a bold orange shoulder bag and tan platform sandals. Photo by Getty Images.
Eva opted for a sexy black menswear inspired look while visiting the Mann Village Theatre in 2002. She completed her look with super long locks. Photo by Getty Images.
At the 2003 Toronto Film Festival, the actress kept her look simple on the red carpet. She donned a black v-neck maxi dress with what floral appliqué on the waist and hemline. Photo by Getty Images.
At the Golden Globe Awards, Mendes opted for a slinky halter top with an exposed back. Photo by Getty Images.
Mendes stunned in a gold floor grazing slip dress as she attended the Gucci Spring 2006 Fashion Show. She completed her look with a small gold clutch bag and minimal jewelry. Photo by Getty Images.
The actress upped the sex appeal of a white Christian Dior skirt suit, wearing nothing under it. The paring of black peep-toe pumps with this look kept it chic. Photo by Getty Images.
Mendes looked ultra hot in a bright red halter gown for the 2006 MTV Movie Awards. She accessorized with a small gold clutch bag, gold bangle bracelets and gold hoop earrings. Photo by Getty Images.
At the New York premiere of We Own the Night, the actress looked classic and stunning as she posed on the red carpet in a one shoulder grecian inspired gown. Photo by Getty Images.
Mendes looked darling in a strapless floral cocktail dress with nude scrappy platform sandals for The Spirit at New York ComicCon in 2008. Photo by Getty Images.
Dressed in a canary yellow Bill Blast strapless column dress, Mendes radiated on the red carpet of the Los Angeles premiere of The Spirit. She completed her look with a gorgeous diamond Van Clef & Arpels bracelet. Photo by Getty Images.
All eyes were on the actress as she posed on the red carpet at the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards in a white Christian Dior gown paired with a turquoise Van Clef & Arpels sterling collar necklace. Photo by Getty Images.
The actress strutted down the red carpet of the 66th Venice Film Festival in a black Armani Prive gown featuring a center cutout bodice and ribbon bondage skirt. Photo by Getty Images.
At the 2010 Met Gala, the actress glowed in a vibrant orange Prada strapless gown. The gown featured a beaded bodice and peplum skirt with frontal split. Photo by Getty Images.
Staying true to her infinity for strapless feminine gowns, Mendes donned an exquisite red floor length Gucci gown at the La Dolce Vita World Restoration Premiere during The 5th International Rome Film Festival. Photo by Getty Images.
At the Art Of Elysium Heaven Gala 2011, the actress looked angelic as she donned a romantic silk Valentino gown featuring a rose ruffled shoulder with draped neck and bow waist. Photo by Getty Images.
Mendes smoldered at the Holy Motors premiere in this little black square-neck lace dress. She accessorized with simple black pumps and a gold and black clutch bag. Photo by Getty Images.
Mendes took to the red carpet for the 2013 Vanidades Icons of Style Awards dressed in a sexy black vintage Luis Estévez black frock with fringe details falling from the halter neckline. Photo by Getty Images.
The actress turned new fashion designer looked lovely in a black and white printed frock at the Eva Mendes for New York And Company Spring 2014 Collection pop up store launch party. Photo by Getty Images.
During her most recent Eva Mendes x New York & Company FW 16 Show, Mendes posed in a darling bureaux peter pan styled dress. She completed her looks with black lace stockings and burgundy Mary-Janes. Photo by Getty Images.
Actress Eva Mendes made her first public appearance in 6 months at the opening of a new New York & Company store in Miami on Thursday. Photo by Getty Images.
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