Jenna Ortega and her stylist Enrique Melendez have established a defiantly witchy sense of style. And while it’s said that the devil’s in the details, for Ortega last night, it was a god-fearing adornment—in the form of a delicate golden crucifix—that brought together her look.
The Wednesday actor stepped out for the second day of the 22nd Marrakech Film Festival, where she’s acting as a jury member alongside the likes of Celine Song, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Bong Joon Ho. Ortega wore a slinky, white silk halterneck gown that wrapped around her neck like a scarf, falling low and backless. Made custom by Dolce Gabbana, the liquidy dress was styled with stacked gold platform heels. While jewelry was kept minimal (aside from a ruby ring and bracelet), a fine linked chain affixed a low-slung piece of fabric on her hips, from which hung an intricate gold cross.
Ghostly whites, sensual silhouettes, and diaphanous materials keep in step with Jenna Ortega’s glamorous, gothic style streak: think back to that reptilian sheer, extraterrestrial-esque Ashi Studio couture look, and her vintage champagne-toned DKNY dress. Last night’s look felt all the more dramatic, as it was in sharp contrast to her structured, peplumed black Bevza dress from the evening previous.
Her glam followed that similar, alluring rhythm. Makeup, by Saskia Ryan, was smoky and sensual with a dried blood-red lip, and Ortega’s long, cherry cola-tinted hair worn straight and glossy.
Since the election of Pope Leo XIV, the Catholic Church has been steering an aesthetic shift. The Pontiff recently pursued some star power, welcoming actors and filmmakers like Cate Blanchett, Monica Bellucci, Spike Lee and more to his Apostolic Palace residence. It was a move, according to the Vatican, to “deepen dialogue with the world of cinema.” Since his election earlier this year, the Pope himself has worn several statement-making liturgical looks, returning to a more traditional, flamboyant, and opulent style following the late Pope Francis’s more austere choices.
With the release of Rosalia’s LUX, too, the Spanish singer has proved how expansive and creative one can be within the aesthetics of the faith. With Rosalia, we’ve been treated to total divine fashion ascension: she’s plumbed the archives for McQueen rosary heels, worn angelic and feathered Schiaparelli, a Sacred Heart-studded Vivienne Westwood gown, and for her album cover, an actual nun’s habit and arm-constricting top from Alainpaul spring 2025—as if she’s about to experience a fit of religious ecstasy.
What’s Jenna Ortega’s fave track from LUX, do you think?
