Jenna Ortega Goes Gothic In Her Wednesday Season 2 Press Tour
With the recent release of Wednesday Season 2 on Netflix, it is no surprise that the public eye has primarily honed in on Jenna Ortega, the 22-year-old actress playing the title role of Wednesday. While the press has been churning out various mixed reviews on the season, the looks that Ortega has been wearing on her press tour are one thing everyone can agree is spectacular.
My astute attention to this press tour is proof of its excellence. After all, despite my love for the original Addams Family, I haven't even watched Wednesday's newest season! However, as an avid lover of alternative fashion, the impeccable looks Ortega has been sporting have piqued my interest.
Enrique Melendez, Ortega's stylist, has been utilizing pieces from designers such as Simone Rocha and Ann Demeulemeester to create unique looks, long departed from their original runway styling, and morphed into something tailored for Ortega and the gothic presence of The Addams Family.
Many of these looks feature dark colors like black and brown, and tough leather or semi-sheer fabrics fluttering like shadows across Ortega's skin. The actress's wispy bangs, heavily shadowed eye makeup, and freshly bleached eyebrows tie the aesthetic together, making her look eerily captivating.
A personal favorite of mine from this press tour is Ortega's look in Paris, France. She arrived clad in Vivienne Westwood, wearing a floor-length cocoa brown dress, a plunging ruffled neckline, and a cream corset, all tied together with a brown belt cinching the flowing fabric to her waist. However, perhaps the star of the show was the large cross necklace that rested across her sternum, fully encapsulating the gothic nature the outfit sought to convey.
The otherworldly nature of this look echoes closely back to hallmark traits of “whimsigoth” fashion. Whimsigoth is an alternative aesthetic that predominantly features flowy fabrics, layering, and heavy jewelry to create a witchy, whimsical look, as the name may suggest.
Another look that caught my eye was Ortega's snakeskin gown, which she wore to the Wednesday Season 2 premiere in London, England.
Designed by Ashi Studio, the sheer latex dress clung to Ortega with raised detailing encompassing the nude fabric, making it look as though the actress is wrapped in snake skin.
The dress blooms out before seemingly cutting off at the thigh, tattered and torn. From below, the original hemline shoots a longer mermaid cut skirt, which pools around the actress's feet with the same tattered effect as the shorter skirt features. It almost gives the impression that the snake skin is peeling and shedding all around Ortega as she wears it. The result is an eerie look that harkens back to the creepy nature of the show itself.
It also must be noted that many of the dresses Ortega has been sporting throughout this press tour feature a full-length skirt with a silhouette not dissimilar to the iconic dress worn by Morticia Addams, the hauntingly beautiful mother of Wednesday Addams. Fans much appreciate small details such as these.
The theatric looks featured in this press tour do an excellent job of marrying Ortega's personal style with that of The Addams Family, Wednesday, and various alternative influences of the fashion world.
Strike out,
Alara Ataman
Boca Raton
Alara Ataman is a Content Writer for Strike Magazine. An avid fan of fashion, this Pisces can be found scrolling through Depop or elbows deep in a thrift store looking for the perfect piece. If you can’t find her doing this, you may find her browsing numerous cafes in her endless quest for the perfect iced coffee. You can reach her at @leopard_fawn on most social media platforms.
