Recently, celebrity stylist and self-proclaimed “image architect,” Law Roach, introduced me to a new phrase: method dressing. This is when a celebrity dresses on theme — but not in costume — while promoting their new project. While this isn’t the first time he’s mentioned it, the personal stylist to Zendaya felt we needed a reminder after fans shared fake AI photos of her wedding to Tom Holland, including a picture of an AI-generated wedding dress.
Now that the concept finally has an identifiable name, and a certain aforementioned actor is blessing us with another installment of said style of dressing, it feels like the perfect time to reflect on some of the best method dressing we’ve seen in Hollywood. Here are 14 actors who showed us how its done:
Partnering with Law Roach, Zendaya has been “method dressing” for years. The most recent example is her ongoing press tour for the newest Spider-Man flick. Versace, Armani, and Alexander McQueen are just a few of the designers the actor has worn, not to mention a vintage Spider-Man t-shirt from e-Bay. Only Z could turn an old t-shirt into a couture red carpet moment.
2.
Alexander Skarsgård — Pillion
The Swedish actor took his daddy-dom persona from camera to carpet for this press tour. Laced-up leather, suggestive graphic tees, and sequins made Skarsgård a standout among the usual sea of plain black suits. He and his stylist, Harry Lambert, borrowed pieces from designers such as Saint Laurent and kinkwear brands like Ladycotton, all to create a bizarre yet alluring press tour that I personally am not mad about.
During the press tour for the cult classic’s sequel, the actor paid homage to the original film in every look. Dior, Harris Reed, and Thom Browne were just a few of the designers that Ortega and her stylist, Enrique Melendez, worked with. Whether it was a purse that perfectly replicated the house in both movies, or a custom Dior gown to pay homage to Lydia Deetz’s (Winona Ryder) red wedding dress, Ortega quickly cemented her place among the method dressers.
4.
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande — Wicked
One of the most talked-about movies (and press tours) of 2025, both stars remained dedicated to their roles, often donning greens and pinks to celebrate their characters. Thom Browne, Vivienne Westwood, and Schiapperelli were just a few of the designers behind their iconic looks. Not only did they reference Wicked, but also the original Wizard of Oz; Erivo’s dress at the Mexico City premiere was inspired by Margaret Hamilton, the original Wicked Witch.
Grande’s Oscar performance dress was literally Dorothy’s ruby slipper (and it genuinely lives rent-free in my mind).
5.
Margot Robbie — Barbie
Another highly anticipated movie, Robbie seemingly left no stone unturned during her lengthy press tour as our favorite doll. Chanel, Hervé Léger, and Schiapperelli were just a few of the designers who dressed the actor in custom pieces to honor various Barbie dolls from the last 60 years. These looks included “Day to Night” Barbie, “Totally Hair” Barbie, and “Solo in the Spotlight” Barbie. Basically, Robbie spent a year living out our collective childhood dream.
6.
Anya Taylor-Joy — Mad Max: Furiosa
The actor’s many looks during this press tour mirrored the film’s raw, dystopian setting, incorporating leather, metallics, and even an arrow headdress into her outfits. Some of the designers behind her awe-inspiring pieces included Maison Margiela, Rick Owens, and Paco Rabanne; Anya Taylor-Joy is an Ambassador for Dior, and they also put together several looks.
7.
Zoe Kravitz — Batman
It may have been the zillionth movie about Gotham’s fave masked man, but Kravitz showed up for press as a breath of fresh air with looks inspired by the franchise. Oscar de la Renta and Saint Laurent were just two of the designers dressing the actor in sleek black pieces. Kravitz’s look at the New York City premiere paid homage to Michelle Pfeiffer’s, Anne Hathaway’s, and now her own turn as Catwoman, with a cat-shaped lace-up corset.
8.
Lady Gaga — Joker: Folie A Deux
Elsewhere in Gotham, Gaga used the press tour for the villain’s sequel to mirror her character’s descent into madness, oscillating between subdued (well, subdued for Gaga) looks and outlandish getups. Designers such as Dior and Celine were responsible for the singer/actor’s breathtaking formal pieces, while campier styles – such as her harlequin jumpsuit – were attributed to designers such as Ida Immendorff.
9.
Timothée Chalamet — A Complete Unknown
To promote his portrayal of Bob Dylan, Chalamet leaned into the singer/songwriter’s downtown-grunge-meets-Americana style. Scarves, denim, and leather were all popular looks for the actor, repping brands ranging from True Religion to Prada. One premiere even saw Chalamet with blonde hair in a beanie, directly referencing Dylan’s 2003 Sundance appearance, which I’m not sure how I feel about…
10.
Elle Fanning — Maleficent: Mistress of Evil
Fanning, who portrayed Sleeping Beauty in both live-action Maleficent installments, leaned into the whimsy of Disney for her press tour. She opted for soft, feminine dresses to convey both the princess’s royal status and her years as Briar Rose, not to mention blood crystals on her finger, where the princess pricks it. Armani and Gucci helped dress the actor throughout the tour, while Sutra Jewels provided the ethereal jewelry.
11.
Halle Bailey — The Little Mermaid (2023)
Another live-action Disney princess, Bailey’s press looks, understandably, leaned more aquatic. Along with butt-length red locs, the singer/actor attended events in dramatic blue dresses that made her appear as though she was rising from the sea, drapey gowns detailed with netting and pearls, and shell-esque accessories fit for royalty. Working with stylist Nichole Goodman, Bailey’s looks were a mix of off-the-rack, designer, and custom-made pieces — including pieces from Gucci and Off-White.
12.
Hunter Schafer — The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Portraying a young stylist in this prequel to the 2012 dystopian trilogy, it’s no surprise that the actor showed up and showed out for this press tour. Schafer and her stylist, Dara Allen, worked with Schiapparelli, Prada, and Marni to create iconic looks that pulled inspiration from across the original films. Some homages were more nuanced — such as the gold ensemble representing the gold tokens in the second film — while others were more obvious — such as the floral dress modeled after Effie Trinket’s (Elizabeth Banks) dress, also in the second film. It’s safe to say she did well by her character.
13.
Blake Lively — A Simple Favor
If the sensational suits in the 2018 thriller weren’t enough, Lively was the picture of blazer-clad perfection during the press tour. Like her character, the actor donned chic, expertly tailored suits for most of the run. Whether it was a classically elevated Ralph & Russo tux or a neon green Versace men’s ensemble, every look was accessorized with sparkling Lorraine Schwartz jewels to add a feminine touch. This is just further proof that the men who wear boring black suits to every event are simply choosing to be boring.
14.
And finally, Lupita Nyong’o — Queen of Katwe
The actor has been turning heads in stunningly unique outfits since her first red carpet, but during her 2016 press run for the Disney biopic, Nyong’o channeled her African heritage for her looks. Her dresses, with bright colors and beautiful patterns, were from designers such as Balmain and Caroline Herrera, but it was her intricate headpieces that stole the show. Her stylist, Micaela Erlanger, sourced fabrics from across the continent to complement the dresses and honor Uganda’s culture, where the film is set.
What’s your fave example of method dressing? Drop your answers in the comments!
