Rosario Dawson says the oversize Vionnet gown she wore to amfAR's Milan gala was inspired by Grace Jones.

The 'Death Proof' actress says she's ''obsessed'' with the 66-year-old singer-songwriter, who is noted for her outlandish style.

Dawson, 35, has launched her own fashion brand and e-commerce site - Studio One Eighty Nine - and she explained: ''I've got a whole closet of stuff that doesn't fit me, in colors that are not my right color, but there's something about them that I had to buy.

''It feels like I was preparing for this all of these years and I didn't even realise it.''

Dawson attended the event in Milan to promote her new venture, while also taking the opportunity to see a 45-minute set from Jones, who delivered a Studio 54-inspired show.

The event was hosted by German model Heidi Klum, 41, who appeared on stage alongside 'Entourage' star Jeremy Piven, 49, who was overshadowed by the leggy blond.

The actor joked: ''Heidi is wearing 5-inch heels. I'm not starring in 'The Hobbit.'''

The Milan show - which was also attended by the likes of Alessandra Ambrosio, 33, and Bar Refaeli, 29 - raised more than $1.4 million for AIDS research.