The Art of Method Dressing: Zendaya, Margot Robbie & more Bring Cinematic Universe to the Red Carpet

You’ve heard of method acting, but what is method dressing? And why are celebrities doing it?

Method dressing is a fascinating trend where a celebrity's outfit on the red carpet and press tours aligns with the project they're promoting. This approach allows the project's cinematic universe and thematic elements to bleed onto the red carpet before the film even premieres. By doing so, actors and their stylists create a seamless connection between the on-screen world and real life, capturing the essence of their characters and the story they represent.

Recently, there has been a surge in Method Dressing. Every movie red carpet and press tour has been a chance for celebrities to pay sartorial homage to the character they have portrayed on screen.

Time and time again, Zendaya and her stylist, Law Roach, prove they’re the dynamic duo for this trend. Their collaboration - which often features some of the best fashion archival pulls in the world of celebrity style - showcases a perfect blend of fashion and narrative, making every appearance a visual extension of the projects they promote. Whether it’s embodying a character like Tashi Donaldson (for Challengers) or reflecting the theme of a film like Spider-Man: No Way Home, Zendaya and Law consistently wow audiences with their method dressing.

Image: Reuters

Another striking example is Margot Robbie, who consistently made headlines for the Barbie-inspired looks she wore during the promotional tour for Barbie. Each outfit was meticulously based on the real clothes the dolls wore, bringing the nostalgic charm and iconic style of Barbie to life.

Image (Margot Robbie): CelebsLA

The red carpet premiere and promotional run of Wednesday saw Jenna Ortega - who plays the titular character - in dark, gothic ensembles that mirrored her character’s signature style, reinforcing the eerie and mysterious vibe of the show.

Courtesy: Ben Cope

Below, see which other celebrities have embraced method dressing on the red carpet and press tours, bringing their characters to life beyond the screen.

Anya Taylor-Joy for Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Anya Taylor Joy has always been a fashion it-girl and her red carpet looks for each of these movies were no less. For the post-apocalyptic and dystopian Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, she stepped out in an archival Paco Rabanne look that looked like it was shooting arrows. For The Super Mario Bros. Movie she wore a Dior jumpsuit identical to the one her character Princess Peach wears throughout most of the film.

Images: FilmoFillia and CelebMafia

Halle Bailey for The Little Mermaid

The promotional run for The Little Mermaid saw tons of ocean inspired looks. At the US premiere of the film, actress Halle Bailey stepped out in a shimmery custom dress by Albanian fashion designer; Valdrin Sahiti, that channelled Ariel perfectly.

Image: Axelle/Bauerr-Griffin/FilmMagic

Hunter Schafer and Rachel Zegler for The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

At the Berlin premiere of the prequel of the iconic The Hunger Games trilogy, Hunter Schafer - Tigris, channelled her character in what could only be described as an art girl’s dream in an ensemble put together by Schiaparelli. Like her co-star, Rachel Zegler also went the method dressing route and donned a gorgeous Alexander McQueen gown inspired by Jennifer Lawrence’s iconic red flaming gown in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

Images: Gayety & TristarMedia/WireImage

Elle Fanning for Maleficent: Mistress of Evil

In this chiffon Gucci gown at the Los Angeles premiere of the film, Elle Fanning (Aurora in Maleficent) exuded the dreamy and mystical energy of the magical forest that’s prominently featured in the film.

Image: Everett Collection

Timothee Chalamet for Bones & All

In a romantic-horror-drama where Chalamet plays the role of a cannibal who is smeared in blood for the most of his time on screen, it is only fitting he made a bold statement in this Haider Ackermann outfit at the premiere of the suspenseful and chilling film.

Image: Express Digest via WireImage

Beyoncé for The Lion King

Beautiful shades of bright yellow-gold are often associated with The Lion King, in true Beyoncé fashion she paid homage to that and her character Nala.

Image: CelebMafia

Zoë Kravitz for The Batman

In a custom Oscar de la Renta gown, Catwoman herself kicked off the promotions for The Batman in style. The shadows of cat heads on the neckline made a reference to the iconic character we all know and love!

Image: Everett Collection

Dakota Johnson and Sydney Sweeney for Madame Webb

At the Los Angeles premiere of this Spider-Man adjacent subject matter film. Dakota Johnson (in Gucci) and co-star Sydney Sweeney (in Oscar de la Renta) looked stunning in spider-web inspired gowns.

Image: Instagram (@chicksintheoffice)