Method dressing is by no means new. Yet, it still excites me each and every time I see it executed on the red carpet. According to Fashion, method dressing is when actors take aspects of a film, such as the characters they play, and apply them to their red-carpet or street-style looks.
It is a less controversial approach to method acting, which sees actors fully inhabit their roles by becoming their characters both on and off-screen. Jared Leto infamously sent his castmates unwelcome gifts whilst playing the Joker, whilst Lady Gaga spoke only in an Italian accent for 9 months whilst filming House of Gucci. Method dressing, however, is perfectly innocuous and is a fun and creative way for actors to tell their character’s story.
It has also become a heavily used marketing technique, use to promote the movie by giving the audience an insight into the film itself. Case and point, Margot Robbie on the press tour of the recently released Barbie movie. Now, unless you have been living under a rock for the past few months, you will have seen Margot channel the iconic doll not only in the movie but on the red carpet too.
The actress wore looks inspired by vintage Barbie to the movie premiere and press junkets. From the iconic black and white striped swimsuit worn by the very first Barbie in 1959 to the hot pink day-to-night ensemble from 1985. Audiences were so inspired by Margot’s method dressing that Barbie-core has quite literally taken over the summer.
Here is a look at some more examples of method dressing on the red carpet…
READ MORE: Quiet Luxury vs. Barbiecore: This Summers Biggest Trends
Halle Bailey for The Little Mermaid (2023)
Halle wore a plethora of Ariel-approved ensembles whilst promoting The Little Mermaid. Most notably, a metallic blue Valdrin Sahiti gown. The dress featured a shell-like bra and sculptured waist that truly made Halle look like a mermaid.
Jenna Ortega for Wednesday (2022)
If Wednesday Addams walked a red carpet, this is exactly what she would wear. Jenna Ortega brilliantly played the quirky teen known for her moody aesthetic and dark wardrobe in Netflix’s Wednesday. The actress continued to channel the character off-screen wearing a series of all-black ensembles, including my favourite look – a black crinkled Versace gown paired with platforms and a lace veil. This is goth-glam at its finest.
Zoe Kravitz for The Batman (2022)
Method dressing can be subtle too, as proven by Zoe Kravitz at the NYC premiere of The Batman. Kravitz wore a custom black velvet Oscar de la Renta dress with a built-in corset. The dress featured silhouettes of cats on the bust, giving an elusive nod to her character in the film. The outfit choice was clever, alluring, and sexy, just like the character, Catwoman.
Zendaya for Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Nobody does method dressing (or any dressing for that matter) quite like Zendaya. She consistently dresses on theme whilst promoting her movies. Wearing outfits clearly inspired by Spiderman, Dune, and The Greatest Showman on their respective press tours. My favourite is the stunning spider-web gown by Valentino that she paired with a superhero mask for, you guessed it, the Spider-Man: No Way Home premiere.
Angelina Jolie and Elle Fanning for Maleficent (2014)
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Both actresses took cues from their characters for the Hollywood premiere of Maleficent back in 2014. Angelina wore a black strapless, rubber gown from Versace, accessorized with a pair of wicked-looking spiky earrings. Whilst Elle looked ever the fairytale princess in a lilac gown from Elie Saab haute couture.
Glenn Close for 101 Dalmatians (1996)
The OG method dresser! Glenn Close’s commitment to the classic Disney villain, Cruella de Vil, was perfect at the 1996 premiere of 101 Dalmatians. The gorgeous costumes in the movie were designed by three-time Academy Award winner Anthony Powell. Glenn Close had it written in her contract that Disney would let her keep the costumes, and thank god she did because the result was this legendary red carpet moment.
(Featured Image: © Glenn Francis )