The modern red carpet is no longer just a walkway for celebrities; it has transformed into a high-stakes arena of storytelling, branding, and cultural commentary. In this glittering landscape, two names consistently dominate the conversation: Zendaya and Jenna Ortega. While both actresses began their journeys as Disney Channel stars, they have evolved into distinct fashion powerhouses with vastly different aesthetic signatures. Zendaya, often hailed as a “fashion chameleon,” works alongside legendary image architect Law Roach to create moments that bridge archival history with futuristic innovation.
Meanwhile, Jenna Ortega has carved out a “Gothic-Glam” niche, masterfully blending her Wednesday Addams persona with high-fashion edge under the guidance of stylist Enrique Melendez. This deep dive explores the evolution, impact, and specific moments that define the Zendaya vs Jenna Ortega red carpet fashion rivalry.
Zendaya vs. Jenna Ortega Red Carpet Fashion
| Feature | Zendaya | Jenna Ortega |
|---|---|---|
| Style Archetype | The Avant-Garde Glamour Icon | The Gothic/Dark Glamour Queen |
| Stylist | Law Roach | Enrique Melendez |
| Key Vibe | Elegant, Trend-setting, Versatile | Edgy, Moody, Romantic |
| Designers | Versace, Loewe, Louis Vuitton, Mugler | Versace, Dior, Valentino, Balmain, Givenchy |
| Method Dressing | Tenniscore (Challengers), Robot Suit (Dune 2) | Gothic Bride (Wednesday), Beetlejuice (Beetlejuice) |
| Signature Looks | Archival vintage, Sleek tailoring, Dramatic gowns | Leather dresses, Lace, Sheer fabrics, Dark lips |
| Recent Highlights | 2025 Met Gala (Metallic LV), Dune 2 Press Tour | 2025 Met Gala (Ruler Gown), Wednesday Season 2 Premiere |
The Evolution of Zendaya: From Disney Darling to Global Icon
Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman has spent the last decade perfecting the art of the red carpet reveal. Her journey began with bright, youthful ensembles on Disney carpets, but the 2015 Academy Awards marked a pivotal shift. Wearing a white Vivienne Westwood slip dress paired with faux locs, she didn’t just make a fashion statement; she sparked a global conversation about beauty standards and cultural identity. Since then, Zendaya has utilized fashion as “armor,” often adopting specific characters for each event. Whether she is channeling Old Hollywood glamour or donning a robotic Mugler suit, her ability to fully embody a garment makes her the most anticipated figure at any major awards ceremony or film premiere.
Jenna Ortega’s Meteoric Rise and Gothic Aesthetic
If Zendaya is the queen of versatility, Jenna Ortega is the master of thematic consistency. Following the massive success of Netflix’s Wednesday in 2022, Ortega leaned heavily into “Method Dressing,” a trend where actors dress in the spirit of their characters. Her collaboration with Enrique Melendez has produced a series of “Gothic-Chic” looks that feel both eerie and elegant. From sheer veils to lace-heavy Versace gowns and pinstriped Dolce & Gabbana suits, Jenna has proven that a darker palette can be incredibly diverse. By 2025, she began experimenting further, introducing metallic elements and deconstructed silhouettes that suggest a move toward a more avant-garde, “Galactic-Goth” future.
Styling Philosophies: Law Roach vs Enrique Melendez
The genius behind Zendaya vs Jenna Ortega red carpet fashion lies largely with their visionary stylists. Law Roach, who famously retired from celebrity styling only to continue working exclusively with Zendaya, views fashion as a narrative tool. He and Zendaya don’t just borrow clothes; they often purchase archival pieces to ensure they are contributing to fashion history. On the other hand, Enrique Melendez has worked with Jenna Ortega since she was 14 years old, creating a deeply personal stylistic shorthand. Melendez focuses on proportion and “dark romance,” ensuring that Jenna’s petite frame is never overwhelmed by the bold, often heavy textures associated with gothic fashion.
Iconic Moments: Zendaya’s Dune and Challengers Press Tours
In 2024, Zendaya elevated the concept of the press tour to a performance art piece. For the Dune: Part Two world premiere in London, she stunned the world in an archival 1995 Thierry Mugler cyborg suit—a piece of fashion history that few thought would ever be worn again. Just months later, for the Challengers tour, she pivoted entirely to “Tennis-Core.” Working with Loewe and Thom Browne, she incorporated tennis ball heels, pleated skirts, and grass-green hues into her wardrobe. This ability to switch from sci-fi metallic armor to preppy, athletic elegance within weeks is exactly why the Zendaya vs Jenna Ortega red carpet fashion debate is so prevalent among enthusiasts.
Jenna Ortega’s 2024-2025 Red Carpet Dominance
While Zendaya was busy conquering the sports-luxe world, Jenna Ortega was solidifying her status as a high-fashion rebel. At the 2024 Met Gala, she interpreted the “Garden of Time” theme through a dark, Victorian lens, wearing a structured gown that looked like a gothic sculpture. Moving into 2025, her appearance at the Academy Museum Gala in a metallic leaf-petal gown by Grace Ling signaled a new era. This look was a far cry from her earlier lace dresses, featuring a silver sculpted top and a plum satin skirt. It proved that Jenna could maintain her “edgy” identity while successfully venturing into the realm of high-concept, futuristic couture.
Comparing the Silhouettes: Structural vs Flowing
A key differentiator in Zendaya vs Jenna Ortega red carpet fashion is how each star utilizes silhouette. Zendaya often opts for grand, architectural shapes that play with volume—think of her massive Valentino ball gowns or the structured Schiaparelli pieces that emphasize her height. In contrast, Jenna Ortega frequently chooses silhouettes that lean into “Dark Romanticism.” She often wears corseted bodices, sheer fabrics, and floor-length veils that create a haunting, ethereal line. While Zendaya’s looks often feel like “events” in themselves, Jenna’s choices often feel like a curated extension of her personal “alternative” brand, making her a relatable icon for the Gen Z “Alt” subculture.
The Role of Archival Fashion in Their Wardrobes
Both stars have embraced the sustainability and prestige of archival fashion, but in different ways. Zendaya and Law Roach treat the archives like a museum, pulling legendary pieces from Versace, Givenchy, and Bob Mackie to pay homage to fashion legends like Cher or Beyoncé. Jenna Ortega uses archival pieces to reinforce her specific aesthetic, often looking for “darker” vintage finds from Jean Paul Gaultier or Mugler that fit her moody vibe. This shared appreciation for fashion history has helped both actresses move beyond the “starlet” phase and into the “icon” category, as they show a deep respect for the craftsmanship of previous decades.
Color Palettes: Vibrant Range vs Moody Monochrome
When looking at the Zendaya vs Jenna Ortega red carpet fashion spectrum, the color choices are night and day. Zendaya is fearless with color, having rocked everything from neon yellow to hot pink and electric blue. She uses color to command attention and shift the mood of a room. Jenna Ortega, conversely, has made black her signature. However, it’s never “just” black; she plays with textures—leather, lace, silk, and velvet—to ensure her monochrome looks are never boring. In recent months, she has begun to introduce deep burgundies and metallic silvers, showing a sophisticated expansion of her palette that remains true to her “Scream Queen” roots.
Beauty and Grooming: Complementing the Couture
No red carpet look is complete without the perfect hair and makeup, and both stars use beauty to enhance their fashion narratives. Zendaya is known for her hair transformations, moving from braids to sleek bobs to voluminous curls with ease. Her makeup often mirrors the “Clean Girl” aesthetic or dramatic “Euphoria-inspired” glitz. Jenna Ortega has taken bolder risks in this department, most notably with her bleached eyebrows in 2024 and 2025. This high-fashion grooming choice added an “unapproachable” and “alien” quality to her look, perfectly complementing her shift toward more avant-garde and deconstructed garments.
Brand Ambassadorships: Louis Vuitton vs Dior and Adidas
The commercial power behind Zendaya vs Jenna Ortega red carpet fashion is evidenced by their massive brand deals. Zendaya is a global ambassador for Louis Vuitton and Bulgari, often wearing custom creations that are unavailable to anyone else. Her relationship with LV’s Nicolas Ghesquière has resulted in some of her most iconic “modern-meets-vintage” looks. Jenna Ortega, meanwhile, has formed strong ties with Dior and Adidas. Her work with Dior highlights her more sophisticated, feminine side, while her Adidas partnership showcases her influence on “street-style” and casual “dark-wear.” These partnerships ensure that both women have a constant supply of cutting-edge fashion at their disposal.
Impact on Gen Z Fashion Trends
Both actresses are leading the charge in how Gen Z perceives fashion. Zendaya has popularized the idea of “Method Dressing” and “Archival Appreciation,” encouraging younger fans to look into the history of designers. Jenna Ortega has become the face of the “Goth-Core” and “Whimsigoth” movements, making subcultural styles mainstream once again. The Zendaya vs Jenna Ortega red carpet fashion “rivalry” isn’t about who is better, but about how two different approaches to style can equally dominate the cultural zeitgeist. They have both proven that being a fashion icon in the 2020s requires more than just looking good—it requires a clear, well-executed vision.
Conclusion: Who Wins the Red Carpet?
Deciding a winner in the Zendaya vs Jenna Ortega red carpet fashion debate is nearly impossible because they serve different purposes. Zendaya is the ultimate high-fashion chameleon, a master of the “Big Moment” who can pull off any style with unparalleled poise. Jenna Ortega is the queen of a specific, moody aesthetic that she has refined into a powerful brand identity. While Zendaya offers a masterclass in variety and fashion history, Ortega offers a masterclass in thematic consistency and “alternative” glamour. Ultimately, the fashion world is richer for having both, as they continue to push the boundaries of what a movie star can look like in the modern era.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Zendaya’s fashion stylist?
Zendaya has worked with Law Roach for nearly her entire career. He is an “image architect” who has been instrumental in crafting her most famous red carpet moments.
2. What is “Method Dressing” in Jenna Ortega’s fashion?
“Method Dressing” refers to the practice of an actor wearing clothes on the red carpet that reflect the themes or aesthetic of the project they are promoting. Jenna Ortega did this famously for Wednesday and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
3. Has Jenna Ortega ever worn archival fashion?
Yes, Jenna Ortega frequently wears archival pieces. She has worn vintage Versace, Dior, and Mugler, often selecting items that fit her darker, gothic-inspired aesthetic.
4. What was Zendaya’s most famous look in 2024?
Many consider her archival 1995 Mugler cyborg suit, worn for the Dune: Part Two premiere in London, to be her most iconic look of 2024.
5. Why did Jenna Ortega bleach her eyebrows?
Jenna Ortega bleached her eyebrows as a high-fashion statement, likely to create a more “editorial” and “eerie” look that complemented her gothic-glam red carpet style during 2024 and 2025.
6. Which brands does Zendaya represent?
Zendaya is a prominent ambassador for the luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton and the high-end jewelry brand Bulgari.
