7 Shocking Black Dress Moments That Defined Ariana Grande's 2025 'Wicked' Era

Ariana Grande’s style transformation in late 2024 and 2025 has been a masterclass in fashion storytelling, pivoting sharply from her signature pastel pinks to a dramatic, cohesive wardrobe of black dresses. This calculated shift has captivated fashion critics and fans alike, serving as a powerful, high-fashion counterpart to her role as Glinda the Good Witch in the highly anticipated film, *Wicked: For Good*. As of this current date, December 12, 2025, her recent red carpet appearances have solidified the "black dress era" as one of the most compelling examples of modern "method dressing" in Hollywood. The strategic choice to wear black—the antithesis of Glinda’s bubblegum pink—has turned every premiere, awards show, and talk show appearance into a statement about duality and character depth, creating a topical authority around her fashion choices. This article dives deep into the most iconic black dress looks from her recent press tour, revealing the designers, the inspiration, and the moment she officially traded her pink bubble for a chic, vintage black ballgown.

Ariana Grande-Butera: Complete Profile and Biography

Ariana Grande-Butera is an American singer, songwriter, and actress who has become one of the most influential pop artists of her generation. Known for her four-octave vocal range and signature ponytail, her career spans music, television, and film, consistently pushing her status as a global icon.

• Full Name: Ariana Grande-Butera
• Born: June 26, 1993
• Birthplace: Boca Raton, Florida, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Entrepreneur (r.e.m. beauty)
• Key Albums: *Yours Truly* (2013), *My Everything* (2014), *Dangerous Woman* (2016), *Sweetener* (2018), *Thank U, Next* (2019), *Positions* (2020), *Eternal Sunshine* (2024).
• Major Film Role: Glinda Upland in the two-part film adaptation of the musical *Wicked* (2024 and 2025).
• Current Focus (2025): Promotion of *Wicked: For Good* and her ongoing style evolution.

The Method Dressing Strategy: Why Ariana Chose Black

The term "method dressing" refers to an actor adopting the style of their character—or a deliberate contrast to it—during a film’s promotional cycle. For Ariana Grande, portraying the famously pink-clad Glinda, her choice of a near-exclusive black wardrobe for the *Wicked: For Good* press tour in 2025 was a brilliant, calculated move. It was a sophisticated visual nod to the complex themes of the musical: light versus darkness, good versus evil, and the nuances of the character Glinda.

Her stylist, Mimi Cuttrell, orchestrated a series of high-fashion, often vintage, black gowns that created a powerful narrative. This strategy has generated massive media buzz, transforming a simple press tour into a high-stakes fashion event. The black dresses were not just gowns; they were a form of performance art, signaling a departure from the "pop princess" aesthetic and embracing a more mature, dramatic, and couture-focused identity.

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1. The Vintage Gilbert Adrian Ballgown (London Premiere)

One of the most significant and talked-about black dress moments was at the European Premiere of *Wicked: For Good*. Ariana Grande stunned in a dramatic, vintage black sequin ballgown. The gown, a piece of fashion history, was designed by the legendary Gilbert Adrian.

This choice was not random. Gilbert Adrian was the celebrated costume designer for the original 1939 film, *The Wizard of Oz*. By wearing his work, Grande connected her current project directly to its cinematic roots, adding layers of topical authority and reverence for Hollywood history. The 73-year-old black tulle gown, originally featured in the 1952 musical film *Lovely to Look At*, was a powerful statement of vintage couture and cinematic continuity.

2. The Sheer Fendi Archives Gown (Oscars 2025 After-Party)

While her main Oscars 2025 red carpet look was a custom Schiaparelli gown, many missed her third, most dramatic look of the night. For the after-party, Grande slipped into a sheer black Fendi gown, a breathtaking piece pulled directly from the Fendi archives.

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This exclusive gown was designed by the late, iconic Karl Lagerfeld, cementing its status as a piece of high fashion history. The sheer, elegant design offered a gothic, yet refined, aesthetic that perfectly contrasted the frothy pink Schiaparelli she wore earlier. It was a subtle, yet powerful, fashion flex that only the most dedicated fashionistas noticed, proving her commitment to the narrative of duality.

A Timeline of Ariana Grande's Black Dress Statements in 2025

The commitment to the black dress narrative was consistent across all major events in the 2025 awards and promotional season, showcasing a range of silhouettes and designers.

3. The Gothic Plunge Gown (VMAs 2025)

At the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), where she presented the Vanguard Award to Mariah Carey, Ariana put a "gothic twist on Glinda" in a sheer, plunging black gown. This look was highly dramatic, featuring a deep neckline and a flowing, dark silhouette. It was a bold move that signaled a more mature and edgy aesthetic than her past VMA appearances. This ensemble was a clear statement that her style evolution was intentional and permanent.

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4. The Strapless Velvet Minidress (CinemaCon 2025)

For the *Wicked: For Good* trailer presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas, Grande opted for a sleek, black strapless velvet minidress. This look was a departure from the vintage ballgowns, offering a contemporary, streamlined, and sexy silhouette. The choice of velvet added a luxurious texture, keeping the look high-fashion while maintaining the anti-Glinda color palette.

5. The Anti-Pink Louis Vuitton (BAFTAs 2025)

While not entirely black, her 2025 BAFTAs look was a significant style moment that incorporated the dark theme. She arrived in a poufy, dramatic pink and black gown from Louis Vuitton. The black bodice and detailing provided the necessary grounding contrast to the pink volume, symbolizing the collision of the Glinda and Elphaba narratives. It was a visual representation of the film’s central conflict, executed with high-level couture drama.

6. The Row Minimalist Black Dress (SAG-AFTRA Foundation 2024)

Even before the major 2025 awards season, the shift was evident. In December 2024, Ariana Grande attended the SAG-AFTRA Foundation event wearing a minimalist black dress from The Row. This choice was surprising for many, as The Row—known for its understated luxury and severe tailoring—is a significant departure from her previous maximalist pop style. This look marked the quiet beginning of her commitment to a more sophisticated, less-is-more fashion philosophy, utilizing the timeless elegance of a simple black garment.

7. The Parisian Premiere Black Gown (Wicked Paris Premiere)

Continuing the global press tour, the *Wicked* Paris premiere saw Ariana in yet another stunning black gown. This time, the dress featured satin detailing that was described as an "anti-Glinda" moment. The consistency of the black outfits across different cities—from London and New York to Paris—reinforced the "method dressing" strategy. It demonstrated a unified, cohesive vision from her team, ensuring that the fashion narrative was as impactful as the film itself. This series of looks, from the vintage Gilbert Adrian to the modern The Row, has solidified Ariana Grande's position as a style icon who uses fashion to tell a deeper story.