Jenna Ortega Secretly Honors a Dark ’90s Icon at the Emmys

At the 77th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, Jenna Ortega made a striking impression with a bold and evocative fashion choice that perfectly encapsulated her evolving gothic aesthetic. Known for her role as Wednesday Addams on Netflix’s Wednesday, Ortega continues to blend high fashion with storytelling, transforming each red carpet appearance into a vivid narrative. Her latest look, inspired by a cult 90s film, confirmed once again that she’s not just dressing for the event — she’s dressing for the plot.

A Stunning Red Carpet Moment at the 2025 Emmys

On Sunday night, Jenna Ortega appeared on the Emmys red carpet in an ensemble that was equal parts edgy and elegant. The standout piece was a jewel-encrusted naked top paired with a minimalist black maxi skirt. This look was sourced from Sarah Burton’s Fall/Winter 2025 Givenchy collection and styled by Enrique Melendez, Ortega’s longtime collaborator known for crafting perfectly tailored gothic-inspired outfits that align with her personal brand.

The naked top shimmered with intricate crystal embellishments, evoking a sense of delicacy while maintaining a bold statement. Paired with a pared-back black skirt, the outfit balanced complexity and simplicity in a way that enhanced Ortega’s gothic allure without overwhelming it.

The Cult 90s Movie Inspiration: Death Becomes Her

What truly captured attention was the clear homage embedded in Ortega’s ensemble. Fashion aficionados and fans alike quickly drew comparisons to Isabella Rossellini’s iconic look in the 1992 dark comedy Death Becomes Her. Rossellini’s character famously wore a crystal-draped top in the film, a look both eerie and glamorous, perfectly complementing the movie’s darkly comedic tone.

Ortega’s jewel-encrusted top mirrored that aesthetic with its shimmering crystals and delicate draping, suggesting a deliberate nod to the cult classic. This connection to Death Becomes Her aligns with Ortega’s penchant for referencing vintage and cult films through fashion — creating a layered dialogue between costume, character, and couture.

Jenna Ortega’s Fashion: A Storytelling Tradition

This Emmy look is far from a one-off. Throughout her career, Jenna Ortega has used fashion as a tool to tell stories, often blurring the lines between character inspiration and personal style. Her outfits are frequently rich in symbolism and layered meaning, making each public appearance feel like a new chapter in her ongoing narrative.

For example, Ortega’s silver Balmain ‘made-to-measure’ gown at the Met Gala showcased a futuristic yet gothic glam aesthetic, highlighting her flair for dramatic and thematic dressing. At the Wednesday Season Two premiere, she turned heads with a snakeskin Ashi Studio dress, an edgy yet elegant choice that echoed the mysterious and rebellious aspects of her character.

Additionally, her archival Galliano for Dior newspaper print dress fused vintage motifs with modern couture, reinforcing her unique ability to mix historical and contemporary elements in ways that amplify her persona.

The Subtle Details: Makeup and Styling That Complete the Look

Completing her Emmys outfit, Jenna Ortega sported shaved eyebrows — a daring choice that added sharpness and an edgy vibe to her overall aesthetic. Her blood-red lip color intensified the gothic atmosphere of the ensemble, emphasizing drama without overpowering the look.

Styled by Enrique Melendez, every detail from makeup to accessories seemed meticulously chosen to complement the outfit’s gothic yet glamorous feel. The combination of a minimalist skirt, an opulent jewel-encrusted top, and bold beauty choices demonstrates Ortega’s growing confidence and command over her style narrative.

Why Jenna Ortega’s Emmys Look Resonates with Fans and Fashion Critics Alike

What makes Jenna Ortega stand out in the crowded celebrity fashion world is her ability to use style not just as decoration but as a form of expression. Her Emmys look, with its nod to Death Becomes Her, resonated deeply with fans familiar with her gothic persona on Wednesday and those who appreciate cinematic references woven into fashion.

This blending of fashion, film, and personal storytelling creates a connection with her audience that goes beyond aesthetics — it’s a shared language of culture and identity. As a result, her red carpet appearances generate buzz not just for their beauty but for their cultural significance.

Jenna Ortega’s Evolving Influence on Red Carpet Fashion

In recent years, Jenna Ortega has become a fashion icon for a younger generation, one that admires her ability to balance mainstream appeal with subversive style choices. Her gothic-inspired looks at major events, including the Emmys, the Met Gala, and film premieres, position her as a trendsetter who isn’t afraid to push boundaries.

Her choice to incorporate cult film references, like the one from Death Becomes Her, elevates her looks beyond mere celebrity dressing into the realm of performance art. This approach has helped redefine what it means to be a fashion icon in today’s entertainment landscape.

The Impact of Jenna Ortega’s Style on Contemporary Gothic Fashion

Ortega’s style is a fresh and modern take on gothic fashion, making it accessible and relevant to a broad audience. By blending gothic motifs with high fashion designers such as Givenchy, Balmain, and Ashi Studio, she brings the once-subcultural aesthetic into the spotlight.

Her Emmys look, in particular, showcased how gothic fashion can be elegant and refined, not just dark and dramatic. This has inspired a wave of young fashion enthusiasts and designers who look to her as a muse for reinventing gothic elements with a contemporary twist.

What’s Next for Jenna Ortega’s Fashion Journey?

With each major appearance, Jenna Ortega continues to raise the bar, crafting looks that are rich in narrative and cultural references. As she prepares for upcoming projects and further red carpet moments, fans and fashion insiders alike are eager to see how she will continue to push her style evolution.

Given her track record, it’s safe to expect that Ortega will keep blending her gothic roots with couture innovation, perhaps referencing other cult classics and cinematic inspirations to tell new stories through fashion.

Conclusion: Jenna Ortega’s Emmys Look Is More Than Just a Dress

At the 77th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, Jenna Ortega didn’t just wear a stunning gown — she told a story. Her jewel-encrusted naked top paired with a black maxi skirt was a sophisticated nod to the cult 90s movie Death Becomes Her, perfectly encapsulating her gothic yet glamorous style.

This look, expertly styled by Enrique Melendez and crafted by Sarah Burton for Givenchy’s Fall/Winter 2025 collection, showcases Ortega’s mastery of using fashion as storytelling. From shaved brows to blood-red lips, every detail added to the dramatic narrative she’s building on red carpets worldwide.

As Jenna Ortega continues to rise in Hollywood, her evolving fashion choices will undoubtedly remain a captivating blend of character, culture, and couture — inspiring fans and redefining what it means to be a modern style icon.