Lately, we’ve seen many celebrities incorporate the aesthetic of their characters or movies into their red carpet look. By incorporating movie themes into their outfits, these stars highlight the projects they’re promoting. This is especially popular among celebrities like Blake Lively, Jenna Ortega, and Zendaya, who have demonstrated their mastery of method dressing.
What is Method Dressing?
While method acting is a well-known term in the entertainment world, method dressing is just beginning to become a popular trend in the fashion world. Celebrities are starting to get into method dressing, incorporating movie-inspired themes and unique traits of characters into their red carpet looks. The most famous example of this trend is reminiscent of Margot Robbie’s Barbie press tour. Dressed in a lifetime of pink ensembles, Robbie promoted the film in a celebratory mood, wearing a variety of ensembles that paid homage to Mattel’s Barbie toy.
Besides the Barbie star, Zendaya’s tennis core look at The Challengers showed how method dressing can be playful yet effective at acting as a marketing tool. Here are some celebrities who have proven they understand the challenges of adopting the method dressing trend.
Celebrities who have mastered method dressing on the red carpet
Blake Lively
Despite the controversy, “It Ends With Us” has been one of the most successful films of Blake Lively’s career. Known for her impeccable style, whether it be on the Met Gala red carpet or at a Marvel premiere with husband Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively has proven herself to be a style icon time and time again. During the press tour for “It Ends With Us,” the actress donned floral outfits to represent the literal name and occupation of her character Lily Bloom, who works as a florist. Lively became the embodiment of fresh summer flowers with her outfits, all of which were decorated with gorgeous patterns reminiscent of the film.
The glamour of floral fashion also extended to her hairstyles, which included loose, bohemian braids with fresh flowers woven into them. Although netizens criticized the actress for focusing too much on her style and straying from the core theme of the film, Lively left no room for fashion critics with her flawless look.
Jenna Ortega
Jenna Ortega, who appeared in Sabrina Carpenter’s viral music video for “Taste” as well as the highly anticipated sequel to the 1988 cult classic “Beetlejuice,” celebrated the original film in style while promoting the new film. Referencing the film’s iconic striped suit, Ortega donned two different black-striped looks that gave off a gothic and glamorous vibe.
At the UK premiere of Beetlejuice, Ortega paid homage to Catherine O’Hara’s character in the original film with one of her most creative red carpet looks to date. Wearing a teal and black ensemble by Harris Reid, Ortega referenced O’Hara’s character, Delia Deetz, and the iconic sculpture she created.
At another event, the Wednesday star paid tribute to Winona Ryder’s Lydia Deetz by wearing a similar plaid skirt to the one she wore in the film. Joining the original female stars, Jenna memorably recreated the burgundy look Michael Keaton wore to his wedding in the film by wearing a Paul Smith suit in the same shade at a promotional event in Venice. Jenna Ortega, who pulled off every look with impeccable flair, is definitely giving other celebs a lesson in method dressing.
Anya Taylor-Joy
Anya Taylor-Joy is no stranger to red carpet sartorial sartorialism, but she made a particularly memorable impression while embodying an edgy, provocative vibe during the press tour for Furiosa: The Mad Max Saga. Her most eye-catching ensemble was a vintage look from Paco Rabanne’s Spring 1996 Haute Couture collection, complete with sheer panels and spikes all over. The dress featured long arrows protruding from her waist down and was topped off with a dramatic headpiece. With a futuristic vibe, the eye-catching look was perfect for the film.
At the film’s CinemaCon screening, Anya Taylor-Joy channeled Furiosa’s daredevil attitude in a daring look in a form-fitting minidress from Ludovic de Saint Sernin’s Fall/Winter 2024 collection. The belted leather ensemble was fashioned into a fierce dominatrix-inspired dress that featured a crisscross halter neckline.
Zendaya
Considered the queen of press tours for her fashionable looks, Zendaya is known to go all out when it comes to embracing method dressing. From her spider web gown in celebration of Spider-Man: No Way Home to her Mugler metallic bodysuit that channeled the futuristic nature of Dune 2, Zendaya has successfully recreated the method dressing trend time and time again. Most recently, while keeping the film’s theme front and center in her outfit for The Challengers, the actress showed off her tennis core in the most glamorous way.
The striking details of Zendaya’s looks don’t just end with her outfits, they also include her accessories, such as her iconic Loewe tennis ball pumps. On another occasion, she incorporated the neon green hue of tennis balls into a dramatic custom Celia Krisarioti halter dress. During a flawless serve on the red carpet, she won the match point wearing a white Thom Browne halter dress with a polo neckline and tennis racket print all over it. Under the perfect vision of her longtime stylist Law Roach, she replicated the drama of a tennis match with a custom green Loewe dress featuring the shadow of a tennis player mid-serve. All of these stunning looks prove that if there was an award for method dressing, Zendaya would definitely win it.
Margot Robbie
Perhaps the most famous example of movie-inspired red carpet fashion was seen during the Barbie press tour. Wearing several looks inspired by the Mattel doll’s original outfits, Margot Robbie is arguably one of the best celebs to have embraced method dressing. Masterfully curated by stylist Andrew Mukamal, the actress’ Barbie press tour outfits were nothing short of iconic, adorable and playful.
Robbie’s commitment to matching her outfit to the film – pink, polka dots, vintage bows and doll-like curls – worked as a brilliant marketing strategy to draw audiences in. Of Barbie’s best red carpet looks, her pale pink corseted Vivienne Westwood gown was an absolute standout. Another highlight was Robbie’s faithful rendition of the 1985 “Day to Night” Barbie doll in bright pink Versace.
Dakota Johnson
While Madame Web failed to wow Marvel audiences, Dakota Johnson won the love of fashion critics and fans during the film’s promotion. Her fashion stunners drew attention as she walked the red carpet in veils and mesh gowns, expertly working spider web magic on the side. At one of the press events leading up to the film’s release, Johnson walked the red carpet in a custom version of a sheer spider web dress by Annie Ibiza, featuring an intricate pattern designed with crystals. The dress also came with a veil that mimicked the spider web design.
Johnson also rocked another Madame Web-themed look during her appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers: a sheer black Tom Ford dress with an intricate pattern. Johnson also made a statement at the film’s premiere in Los Angeles, opting for a custom Gucci slip dress in glittery mesh with a flesh-toned bodysuit underneath. Johnson subtly channeled her character Cassandra Webb by incorporating the mesh gown into her outfit choice.
(Main and Feature Images: Jenna Ortega/Instagram, Blake Lively/Instagram)
The information in this article is accurate as of the publication date.
