Cinema Couture

Movie-Themed Red Carpet Looks Through the Years

Similar to films, fashion is able to tell a story. Sometimes, an outfit can even tell a film’s story. Recently, Jenna Ortega became a viral fashion icon after she wore a string of outfits inspired by her latest film, Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.”

While attending different premieres for the movie, Ortega wore several looks inspired by different characters from the “Beetlejuice” franchise, including a burgundy Paul Smith suit similar to what Michael Keaton’s character wore in the first movie and red tulle gown inspired by Lydia Deetz’s famous costume.

However, Ortega is not the only actress to practice method-dressing. Method-dressing, when an actor or actress wears outfits inspired by the movie they are currently promoting in order to create hype around said movie, was famously done last year by Margot Robbie. Robbie wore a wide array of outfits inspired by famous Barbie Dolls throughout the years to promote “Barbie.” With this being said, method-dressing goes back several years, and Ortega and Robbie were not the first to do so.

Here are several celebrities who have method-dresses for their films over the decades, flawlessly bringing together the worlds of glamor and cinema.

Jenna Ortega – “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” (2024)

Fashion’s most recent example of method-dressing, Jenna Ortega wore many iconic outfits that were on-theme with Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice world. In “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” Ortega played the daughter of Winona Ryder’s beloved character Lydia Deetz. Pictured above, Ortega is wearing an outfit directly inspired by Ryder’s outfit in the final scene of “Beetlejuice,” which includes a custom Ozais “Handbook for the Recently Deceased” handbag and a Thom Browne cardigan with custom gold embroidering to match Ryder’s original garment perfectly.

Zendaya – “Challengers” (2024)

In recent years, Zendaya has become famous for her commitment to method-dressing for several of her films. Most recently, for her romantic drama “Challengers,” Zendaya wore a string of tennis-inspired outfits, including a bespoke gown with a figure hitting a tennis ball, designed by Jonathan Anderson (middle, above). After her athletic yet glamorous outfits made their debut, tenniscore was brought back into style and cropped tank tops and pleated tennis skirts could be found on celebrities, runways and the clothing racks of big box retailers everywhere.

Margot Robbie – “Barbie” (2023)

Bringing method-dressing to the modern age like never before, Margot Robbie truly defined an era when she wore an array of Barbie-inspired looks to film premieres. To promote Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie,” Robbie donned several outfits directly copied from real life historic Barbie dolls. Pictured above, Margot Robbie is wearing a custom Vivienne Westwood look that pays homage to the 1960 “Enchanting Evening” Barbie (left).

Zoë Kravitz “The Batman” (2022)

For the premiere of “The Batman,” Zoë Kravitz paid homage to her Catwoman character in custom Oscar de la Renta. In a similar subtle and sleek fashion to the famed catburglar, Kravtiz’s black velvet dress featured a built in corset with a cat ear bustline and plunging neckline. Selina Kyle would approve.

Carrie Ann Moss – “The Matrix Resurrections” (2021)

While attending the premiere of “The Matrix Resurrections,” Carrie Anne Moss made an impact among fashion and movie lovers alike with her custom Oscar de la Renta gown. Decorated in embroidered silver and green sequins and threadwork, the design perfectly mimics the famous “digital rain” that is seen in the opening credits of the Matrix films. Famous for her role playing Trinity in the Matrix franchise, Moss displayed a stellar example of putting a couture twist on the sci-fi films.

Elle Fanning – “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” (2019)

For the premiere of her film “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil,” Aurora actress Elle Fanning wore a flowy and whimsical gown with floral embellishments designed by Gucci. One key element of this dress that takes it to another level is the red gems sewn into Fanning’s sheer gloves that are meant to resemble blood. Directly inspired by Sleeping Beauty pricking her finger on a spinning wheel, the red beads trail from the tip of the finger and down the length of the dress, giving a feminine gown a dark and edgy undertone.

Glenn Close – “101 Dalmatians” (1996)

It should be known that method-dressing is not a modern idea. Back in 1996, Glenn Close played a marvellous portrayal of Cruella DeVille in the live action “101 Dalmatians.” For the film’s premiere, Close arrived in character, wearing patent leather red boots, an extravagant black and red fur coat, and the famed black and white hair to complete the look.

Geena Davis – “A League of Their Own” (1992)

If there’s no crying in baseball, there’s certainly no crying on the red carpet either. For the premiere of her beloved sports comedy “A League of Their Own,” Geena Davis wore a white dress embroidered with red designs to resemble a baseball. Done in a way that is as stylish as it is graceful, Davis completed the look with satin heels and red lipstick.