Penelope Cruz kicks off 2013 playing with black cats in the Campari Calendar. (Photo : Campari)

Penelope Cruz is red hot in the 2013 Campari Calendar, which was released on Tuesday (Nov. 13) in Milan, Italy.

Shot by photographer Kristian Schuller, the gorgeous 38-year-old actress stuns each month of the calendar wearing glamorous red ensembles by Marchesa, Monique Lhuillier, Zac Posen, Alia, and Emilio Pucci. "I have really enjoyed starring in the Campari Calendar 2013," Cruz told Vogue of her photoshoot.

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Cruz is not the first beauty to be featured in the annual calendar. Jessica Alba, Eva Mendes, and Cruz's best gal pal Salma Hayek have all previously starred in Campari's calendar. CEO Bob Kunze-Concewitz says the fancy datebook requires a certain type of woman. "Penelope's incredible personality and beauty meant she was the perfect choice to embody this year's theme," he said.

Campari's theme for 2013 is superstition. The actress daringly walks on cracks, poses with black cats, and stands underneath a row of red ladders. "I found the superstitious theme extremely intriguing and stimulating," Cruz said. "As an actress I am often challenged to portray the 'unexplainable' and this shoot was no different. We created a character who had to convey a strong, positive attitude, and really get to the heart of each superstition and dispel these myths by promoting confidence. I hope people enjoy the photos as much as we have enjoyed creating them."

Cruz is not only the face of Campari's 2013 calendar; she is also the new face of Spanish leather goods label Loewe. The busy celebrity also keeps herself busy with fashion designing. Alongside her sister, Monica Cruz, the actress has been creating a handbag line for Japanese store Samantha Thavasa for the past several years. Cruz and her sister are now preparing to launch their own line with lingerie brand Agent Provocateur L'Agent in 2013.

"It's great working with my sister, because we are very close as a family - my brother, my sister and myself. We have a great relationship," Cruz said. "It's a blessing because you want to be together as much as possible, so to work together is really great."

See the full calendar here.