Actors are no doubt shaped and influenced by the characters they play on screen, but sometimes, the synchronicity between the two is so natural that the lines between life and theatre become blurred. Case in point: Jenna Ortega.

In 2022, the young actress had her breakout role as Wednesday in the series of the same name. Like her character, who has a propensity for lace and blacks and hexes, Ortega has embraced goth glam as her primary sartorial mode. At the world premiere of the series, she veered towards the costume end of the spectrum, in a Versace black lace dress—the vision of a corpse bride. For the SAG Awards, she opted for high-octane vintage, in a thigh-high slit leather dress from the Versace archives (1994, to be exact). Naturally, it, too, was all-black. Most recently, at the 2023 Met Gala, Ortega was dressed by Thom Browne in a look which injected some prep into her Victorian gothic look. The corseted dress layered over a crisp white shirt was classic Browne, with a little Ortega twist.

Ortega has been working with the same stylist, Enrique Melendez, since 2014, who has watched her evolution from Disney princess to glamorous, modern screen star. Melendez’s personal favourite look? “She looked so grown-up but yet so natural and elegant in the black sheer Saint Laurent dress at the Critics’ Choice Awards last year, which was our first step into a new fashion vibe,” he told British Vogue. “I can confidently say that that outfit is both of our favourites to date.”

If Ortega’s roles are anything to go by, it seems like Ortega will continue her macabre fashion streak.

Wednesday has been confirmed for a second season, while she is the star of Beetlejuice 2, which will land soon, alongside Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder.

Below, see Jenna Ortega’s best goth glam looks to date.