In spring this year, Jenna Ortega arrived on a New York red carpet in a John Galliano for Dior fall winter 2001 dress, printed with made-up newspaper clippings. Images from that evening were all of a sudden splashed across homepages. It was a smart choice, serving as both an acknowledgment of contemporary fashion history (hello, Carrie Bradshaw) and what would soon prove to be a newsworthy style evolution.

Since then, there have been semi-transparent, reptilian-skinned fall 2025 Ashi Studio Haute Couture gowns, rib-crunching Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood dresses, and Givenchy bullet bras. Though much of this has taken place while was she out promoting the second season of Netflix’s Wednesday, Ortega’s subtle but significant transformation had already been in the works. Consider the custom Balmain sheath, constructed from measuring rulers, that she wore to the 2025 Met Gala, or the slit-up-to-there 2002 Donna Karan dress she wore to the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscars party. Ortega has always looked good, but never has she dressed with so much attitude. Styled by Enrique Melendez, Ortega has taken on the aesthetic with all-in gothic gusto.

Revisit a handful of her most successful style moments, here—from one of her earliest and most rebellious red carpet moments, to her new-age gothic glam.