Dresses aren’t just props or decorations—they’re memory keepers, time travellers and storytellers. They transform into a powerful tool of identity performance, rooted in material culture, shaping how individuals are perceived and how they perceive themselves. On the red carpet, clothing becomes more than just a fashion statement. Red carpets serve as a stage where celebrities use fashion to construct and project identities, drawing on the symbolism embedded in their attire. 

In recent years, the concept of method dressing has gained significant traction, both in fashion and popular culture. Method dressing allows celebrities to move beyond simple fashion statements, creating looks that reflect stories, values or characters connected to their upcoming projects or films. Also, a trend that has recently appeared on red carpets, cosplay dressing often involves drawing inspiration from real-life figures or iconic personalities rather than fictional characters. It’s a way of paying tribute to those who have influenced culture through their unique style or persona.

We look through the two styles in red carpet fashion and explore how method dressing and cosplay-inspired looks allow celebrities to use clothing as a form of self-expression, reflecting their identities and connections to cultural or personal narratives. 

What Is Method Dressing?

Method dressing is a fashion approach inspired by method acting. When an actor immerses themselves in their character, they engage with material objects that represent the character’s world, status and internal conflict. This process extends beyond the screen, from conferences to red carpet award nights and can also be referred to as costume dressing. It’s about using costumes inspired by the story to bring it into the real world, bridging the gap between fiction and reality.

Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in Barbie (2023)

When Barbie was released, it became an instant hit. The plot was captivating, and the costumes, including Margot Robbie’s iconic look, were exceptional. Her red carpet appearances continued the conversation, with many of her outfits during the press tour inspired by vintage Barbie. While these looks certainly helped promote the film, they also allowed us to immerse ourselves in the character, offering a glimpse into Barbie’s world. The doll’s signature style embodies lively, feminine energy, which is why bright colours are so synonymous with her character.

Ryan Gosling, Margot Robbie’s co-star, also embraced the theme in his wardrobe. Known for his usual formal attire in darker colours, his style shifted during the Barbie promotion. As the movie was released, his outfits began to incorporate lighter pastel shades and even vivid pinks, mirroring Ken, the male character. This change in hue resonated with the film’s playful aesthetic.  

Lily Rose Depp in Nosferatu (2024)

Haunting movie-goers last Christmas was Nosferatu, which transported audiences into a grim world. Starring Lily-Rose Depp, Willem Dafoe and Nicholas Hault, the film is a gothic horror story centred on vampire imagery set in the 1830s. While full Victorian costumes might have been overwhelming during the press tour, they incorporated subtle elements of the era into their outfits, creating an eerie atmosphere that gave audiences goosebumps. 

The cast leaned into method dressing to embody the gothic themes of Nosferatu. For instance, Depp showcased this approach in a Chanel Fall 2020 couture ensemble. Her look featured baroque necklaces paired with a light grey taffeta skirt and suit adorned with a wide collar top, capturing an old-world charm that echoed the film’s 1830s setting. This blending of high fashion with historical inspiration illustrated the power of method dressing.

Costume Dressing in Fantasy Films

Elle Fanning in Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019)

A throwback to a decade ago shows that this method of dressing is not entirely new—it has been seen in fantasy films like Disney’s Maleficent. Inspired by the romantic animation Sleeping Beauty (1959), the live-action spin-off brought the villain’s side of the story to life. The cast, particularly Elle Fanning as Aurora, embraced costumes and styles that resonated with the character’s girly aesthetic despite the dark and whimsical themes of the film, blending a fantasy core with fashion to create a visual narrative.

A round of applause goes to her stylist, as every look befitted a true princess. One standout moment was at the Cannes Film Festival in 2019–which was the time to tease this upcoming film–where she graced the closing ceremony wearing a white embroidered gown paired with a sheer cape. The ensemble gave off elegance and fairytale charm, capturing the spirit of the character and the magical allure of the film. It also reflected how Aurora is portrayed in the story—with youthful innocence and a sense of naivety. 

Helena Bonham Carter in Alice in Wonderland (2010)

Another example of method dressing can be seen in Helena Bonham Carter’s rebellious red carpet looks. Known for her signature punk-gothic style, she paid tribute to her film Alice in Wonderland with subtle yet creative nods to the story. One memorable look featured a mini hat reminiscent of the Mad Hatter, while another included a white dress paired with a Red Queen-themed bag and a painted red heart on her skirt—an homage to her own character, the Red Queen. These playful details demonstrate Bonham Carter’s talent for blending her personal style with elements of her on-screen persona, bringing her character to life on the red carpet. 

So What Is Cosplay Dressing?

Cosplay dressing is about embodying the essence of someone else, through detailed styling that closely resembles or pays homage to the original source. It is commonly associated with fans dressing up as characters from films, comics or video games. However, in relation to films, celebrities pay tribute to other celebrities even when unrelated to the movie being promoted. At the latest Golden Globes, many celebrities embraced cosplay dressing, including Emma D’Arcy, who channelled Brad Pitt’s Interview with the Vampire (1994) aesthetic, Zendaya with a stunning tribute to Joyce Bryant and Ayo Edebiri recreating the iconic Julia Roberts look from Pretty Woman (1990). 

 

Ariana Grande as Audrey Hepburn

Fresh off Wicked! (2024), Ariana Grande paid homage to Glinda, her character in the film during the promotion with pink outfits that captured the beloved witch’s iconic style.

On a more recent red carpet, Grande turned heads in a buttery yellow Givenchy Haute Couture gown from 1966, channelling the timeless elegance of Audrey Hepburn. Known to be Givenchy’s most iconic muse, Hepburn’s influence on Grande’s red carpet looks extended further. At the Palm Springs Film Festival, she debuted mini bangs reminiscent of Hepburn’s signature style. Not to mention Grande’s hairpieces at her own wedding were also made to look like the hairpiece in Hepburn’s wedding scene from Funny Face (1957). It appears to be part of her journey in redefining her identity, allowing the audience to connect with and understand her evolving style. 

Looking closely, Hepburn’s characteristics seem to align with Glinda’s essence. Many of this well-loved actress’s films such as Funny Face and My Fair Lady (1964) portray a youthful, lively energy and a sense of charm. Similarly, Glinda, known as the good witch, embodies a positive and uplifting spirit that influences those around her. Hepburn’s timeless style resonates with the movie’s themes while also reflecting Grande’s admiration for her favourite role model.

Kim Kardashian and Sabrina Carpenter as Marilyn Monroe 

Cosplay dressing has also appeared at other major events, such as the Met Gala 2022. Kim Kardashian was in Marilyn Monroe’s iconic dress—the one Monroe famously wore in 1962 to sing Happy Birthday to President John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden. Kardashian completed the look with slicked-back hair and even had blonde-dyed hair, echoing Marilyn’s signature blonde style. 

Another example comes from pop artist Sabrina Carpenter, who embraced Marilyn Monroe-inspired fashion at the 2024 VMAs with a white archival Bob Mackie gown. She was also spotted at the annual Best Performances party at Chateau Marmont ahead of the Golden Globes wearing a mini hot pink dress by Vivienne Westwood–drawing from Marilyn Monroe’s iconic look in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953). This connection between the two can be seen in how Carpenter has through her music adapted her playful, charismatic personality and elevated her image with a style channelled from the iconic star’s glamour and boldness.

Both Carpenter and Kardashian weren’t in the midst of promoting a film but were instead paying tribute to their muse, reflecting a shared identity through their fashion choices. 

Sharing Stories Through Style

Cosplay dressing and costume dressing on the red carpet serve different purposes, yet they intersect in interesting ways. Looking at the latest Golden Globes, cosplay dressing has already become the talk of the town and might be the next big trend in red carpet fashion. On the other hand, costume dressing tends to embrace the essence of the character being portrayed, leaving a lasting impression at the event and effectively hyping up the film in question. While cosplay brings a personal tribute to iconic figures, costume dressing focuses on bringing the character’s world to life, creating an immersive connection for the audience. 

What makes both cosplay and costume dressing similar is how they convey the message of the wearer, often focusing on identity. Both styles allow the individual to express a sense of self that is deeply connected to the character or figure, highlighting their personal connection and the narrative they wish to communicate.