Jenna Ortega's transformation into Gen Z's gothic style icon has been gradual, marked by lace cuffs and dark eyeliner. Now, between her role in 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' and the upcoming 'Wednesday' season two, the actress has fully embraced a gothic renaissance, with her wardrobe described as a masterclass in 'elegant macabre'.
Ortega and her stylist Enrique Melendez have balanced method dressing with authenticity, avoiding the trap of turning fashion into costume. Her outfits feature sculptural silhouettes, shadowy sheers, and inky velvet, drawing comparisons to 1990s Winona Ryder but with a refined edge that goes beyond 'Wednesday-core'.
The trend extends beyond Ortega. Goth-inspired looks are appearing on streets in Los Angeles and London, and on runways. Rick Owens' Fall/Winter 2025 collection featured ecclesiastical glamour in black tulle, while McQueen under Seán McGirr embraces asymmetry and decay. Red carpets have also gone moody, with celebrities like Zendaya and Mia Goth leaning into Victorian silhouettes.
Ortega's dark lipstick, 'tired-girl make-up', and undone hair reflect a new generation's mood: disenchanted, theatrical, and unbothered by conventional Hollywood glamour. The aesthetic is no longer just about looking pretty, but about looking hauntingly good.
