Jenna Ortega's Red Carpet Evolution: 5 Daring Looks That Cemented Her 'Gothic Goddess' Status

Jenna Ortega has rapidly transitioned from a celebrated young actress to a global fashion icon, with her red carpet appearances in late 2023 and 2024 serving as a masterclass in dark elegance and intentional styling. Her aesthetic, often dubbed "gothic glamour" or "Wednesday-core," is not just a passing trend but a cohesive, deeply curated narrative that she has expertly woven into her public persona, proving she is Gen Z's definitive scream queen both on-screen and on the world's most prestigious carpets. As of this current date, December 12, 2025, her latest looks—including a viral, custom-made dress—continue to push boundaries and dominate fashion headlines, making her one of the most exciting figures to watch in Hollywood.

Jenna Ortega: A Brief Biography and Career Profile

Jenna Marie Ortega, born on September 27, 2002, in Coachella Valley, California, is an American actress known for her versatility across comedy, drama, and, most notably, the horror genre. Of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage, Ortega began her career as a child actress, gaining early recognition for playing young Jane in the CW comedy-drama series Jane the Virgin.

• Full Name: Jenna Marie Ortega
• Date of Birth: September 27, 2002
• Place of Birth: Coachella Valley, California, U.S.
• Heritage: Mexican and Puerto Rican
• Breakthrough Role (Television): Wednesday Addams in Wednesday (Netflix, 2022)
• Breakthrough Role (Film/Horror): Tara Carpenter in Scream (2022) and Scream VI (2023)
• Notable Films: X (2022), The Fallout (2022), Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)
• Accolades: Nominated for a Golden Globe Award, Primetime Emmy Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award for her performance in Wednesday.
• Public Persona: Often referred to as "Gen Z's scream queen" due to her prominent roles in horror and her signature dark, gothic-inspired fashion.

The Evolution of a 'Gothic Goddess': From Disney Darling to High-Fashion Muse

Jenna Ortega’s journey on the red carpet mirrors her career trajectory: a distinct shift from bright, youthful ensembles to a sophisticated, darker aesthetic. This style evolution is marked by a deep appreciation for theatricality and a commitment to designers who embrace unconventional beauty. Her stylist, Enrique Melendez, has been instrumental in crafting this signature look, often drawing inspiration directly from her roles, particularly the iconic Wednesday Addams and Astrid Deetz from Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. This intentional alignment of fashion and fiction has created a powerful, instantly recognizable brand of "dark elegance" that resonates with her global fanbase. The consistent use of black, white, and deep jewel tones, combined with sharp tailoring and vintage silhouettes, defines her modern gothic style.

5 Red Carpet Looks That Defined Jenna Ortega's Iconic Status

While every appearance earns attention, a select few outfits have cemented Jenna Ortega’s place as a high-fashion risk-taker and a true "Gothic Goddess." These looks showcase her commitment to pushing boundaries and her collaboration with some of the world's most prestigious fashion houses.

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1. The Viral Balmain Ruler Dress (2025 Met Gala)

The most recent and arguably most daring look to date, Jenna Ortega attended the 2025 Met Gala, themed "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style," in a custom Balmain gown. The dress was a stunning piece of wearable art, reportedly constructed entirely out of metal rulers. This creation, designed by Olivier Rousteing, featured a sleek, strapless silhouette and a plunging neckline, perfectly blending architectural precision with dark glamour. The choice was a bold, unexpected move that instantly went viral, demonstrating her willingness to embrace conceptual and avant-garde fashion while maintaining her signature edge.

2. The 700-Hour Dior Couture Gown (2024 Emmys)

At the 2024 Emmy Awards, Ortega stunned in a custom Christian Dior Haute Couture dress. This black, sheer-paneled gown was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, reportedly requiring over 700 hours of intricate embroidery work. The exquisite detail and timeless silhouette showcased a more mature, refined side of her gothic glamour, proving she can command the highest levels of classic couture. This look was a definitive moment, establishing her as a serious muse for major fashion houses.

3. The 'Wednesday-Core' Thom Browne Ensemble (2023 Met Gala)

For her 2023 Met Gala appearance, Jenna Ortega perfectly channeled her Wednesday character in a custom Thom Browne look. The dress was a brilliant interpretation of the night's theme, "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty." It featured a black corset top, an enormous ruffled skirt with distressed edges, and a long train, all executed in a dark, romantic style. The ensemble, complete with sheer black tights and platform shoes, was a tribute to the gothic, preppy aesthetic of Nevermore Academy, solidifying the 'Wednesday-core' trend in high fashion and showcasing the topical authority of her character's influence.

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4. The Nude Chiffon Gucci Goddess Gown (2023 Golden Globes)

Stepping away from her signature black palette, Ortega made a significant statement at the 2023 Golden Globes in an ethereal, light-brown Gucci gown. The pleated nude chiffon dress featured exquisitely placed midriff cut-outs and a flowing, goddess-like silhouette. Paired with silver Tiffany & Co. jewelry and Jimmy Choo shoes, this look demonstrated her range and ability to carry a lighter, more romantic style without losing her sophisticated edge. It was a notable departure that proved she is not confined to one aesthetic, but simply favors dark glamour.

5. The Vintage Christian Dior Moment ('Hurry Up Tomorrow' Premiere)

Highlighting her appreciation for fashion history, Ortega arrived at the 'Hurry Up Tomorrow' world premiere in a vintage Christian Dior design. The choice of a vintage piece, famously worn by Sarah Jessica Parker's character Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City, showcased a deep knowledge of pop culture and fashion archives. This look, which included a dramatic train and an ornate bustier, demonstrated a commitment to sustainable fashion and a flair for the dramatic, often associated with a darker, more theatrical style.

The Modern Gothic Muse: Designers and Style Signatures

Jenna Ortega's fashion choices are a masterclass in leveraging celebrity influence to champion specific design aesthetics. Her wardrobe is a rotating gallery of high-end designers who specialize in dramatic, tailored, or gothic-inspired pieces. The consistency of her aesthetic has made her a highly sought-after muse.

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Key Designers and Signature Elements

Ortega’s red carpet strategy involves a careful selection of designers who align with her "dark elegance" brand. Beyond the major houses like Dior and Gucci, she frequently collaborates with others known for their edgy or architectural designs.

• Thom Browne: A favorite for his theatrical, structured, and often darkly preppy designs, perfectly aligning with her Wednesday and Astrid Deetz (from Beetlejuice Beetlejuice) personas. She wore a darkly preppy Thom Browne get-up in 2024 for promotional events.
• Balmain: The choice for her 2025 Met Gala look, showcasing a more futuristic and conceptual side of her style. The use of metal rulers as fabric was a memorable, high-concept moment.
• Alexander McQueen: She wore a Resort 2024 blazer from the brand, paired with the trendy red tights, for a Beetlejuice Beetlejuice promotional stop, a clear nod to the character's dark whimsy.
• Givenchy: For another recent high-profile event, she wore an ornate bustier top from a Givenchy collection designed by Sarah Burton, showcasing a blend of dark romanticism and structured tailoring, further cementing her as a high-fashion risk-taker.
• Ann Demeulemeester: She wore a look from this brand to the Netflix 'Wednesday' FYC Event, known for its gothic, deconstructed, and minimalist aesthetic.
• Markgong: She wore an ombre Markgong leather trench dress, a subtle fashion nod to Joan Cusack’s character in Addams Family Values, for a Netflix Tudum event.

Her style is characterized by elements like dramatic trains, sheer fabrics, intricate corsetry, high-necklines, and a consistent use of black eyeliner and a sharp, dark manicure. This dedication to a specific, high-concept aesthetic is what sets Jenna Ortega apart, making her not just an actress who wears clothes, but a true Gen Z fashion icon whose red carpet choices are watched globally for the next evolution of dark glamour.