Costume Drama: Why Method Dressing Has Taken Over Hollywood’s Red Carpets, From Ariana Grande’s Glinda Pink to Monica Barbaro’s Folky Lace
Last February, Zendaya stepped onto the red carpet of the “Dune: Part Two” premiere as a metal-constructed cyborg. While robots are banned in the Frank Herbert-created “Dune” universe, the futuristic Thierry Mugler catsuit she wore was a look straight from the year 10,191 — and a clear nod to the sci-fi film’s themes about emerging technology.
“Method dressing” — when an actor represents their film through their clothing — hit the stratosphere when Margot Robbie exclusively wore pink during the “Barbie” press tour. So when famed stylist Law Roach transformed his favorite muse into a fembot with that “Dune”-inspired outfit a full awards season later, it was a sign that the trend was here to stay.
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“I think Method dressing can and will continue for those who it feels authentic to,” says fashion commentator Tariro Makoni who writes the blog Trademarked on Substack. “The idea of trends dying just means that it is less mass, but it doesn’t mean that a niche group of people aren’t still thriving there.”
Browse through the red-carpet looks worn by this year’s Oscar nominees and you’ll find they more closely resemble narrative-driven costumes than traditional couture. Ariana Grande, styled by Mimi Cuttrell, and Cynthia Erivo, who partners with Jason Bolden, have been the most obvious Method dressers this season, rocking Glinda pink and Elphaba green, respectively, during their “Wicked” appearances.
Even actors in movies that take place in less fantastical worlds looked to their characters for inspiration. Monica Barbaro, nominated for her role as Joan Baez in James Mangold’s “A Complete Unknown,” wore a folksy ivy lace dress by Dior at the film’s New York premiere. At the Critics Choice Awards, Demi Moore donned a Schiaparelli gown whose lace-up back closure paralleled her character’s spinal sutures in “The
Substance.” Mikey Madison re-created the dazzling red dress she wore in “Anora” at that film’s premiere. And while debuting “Emilia Pérez” at Cannes, Zoe Salda?a opted for a gray suit that could easily be worn by the titular lawyer she plays in the film.
Isabella Rossellini, nominated for her role as a nun in “Conclave,” paid homage to the Catholic Church with her red gown at the Golden Globes. “I promoted myself to being a cardinal by wearing red,” she joked on the carpet.
Historically, dressing clients in pre-runway designer gowns or rare archival pieces was the go-to power move for stylists. These days, creative impact is marked by a stylist’s ability to reenvision on-screen stories for the real world. More closely aligning what a star is wearing to the project they’re promoting helps those red-carpet moments go viral and brings more attention to the movies themselves. That means stars may keep getting their inspiration from Oz and Arrakis and not just Coco Chanel and Valentino. There’s no better marketing than a killer outfit.
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