Jenna Ortega turned heads at the 2025 Met Gala in a silver Balmain gown made entirely of metallic rulers. The gown perfectly aligned with the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” theme and “Tailored for You” dress code. Inspired by Black dandyism, the 22-year-old actress’s bold look solidified her as a fashion standout.
On May 5, 2025, Jenna Ortega graced the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s red carpet in a Balmain gown “crafted entirely from metallic rulers used by pattern makers,” per the brand’s statement. The vertically placed rulers sculpted a fitted, bustier-style silhouette, embodying the tailoring focus of the Costume Institute’s “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition, inspired by Monica L. Miller’s Slaves to Fashion. The gown’s innovative design paid homage to Black dandyism’s historical and cultural influence, blending craftsmanship with thematic precision.
Jenna Ortega at the #MetGala. https://t.co/MzcTJmcmWO pic.twitter.com/q5F3hsrWwx
— Variety (@Variety) May 6, 2025Ortega paired the metallic dress with a vintage-inspired beauty look, featuring Old Hollywood waves, smoky grey eyeshadow, and a deep burgundy lip, ensuring the gown remained the focal point. Her polished yet understated makeup and hairstyle, crafted by celebrity stylist Bob Recine, drew praise on social media for balancing glamour and restraint.
Met Gala Context and Ortega’s Fashion Legacy
The 2025 Met Gala, co-chaired by Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, and Anna Wintour, celebrated Black menswear’s evolution, with the exhibition from May 10 to October 26, 2025. Following her 2022 Valentino monochrome and 2023 Thom Browne gothic ensemble, Ortega’s third Met Gala appearance showcased her evolving style. The Balmain gown’s literal interpretation of tailoring using rulers as fabric sparked buzz on X, with fans calling it a “masterpiece of innovation.”
Jenna Ortega arrives at the #MetGala2025. See all the latest arrivals here: https://t.co/yLxfkQ2T1Y pic.twitter.com/CZKZG3W1Ze
— British Vogue (@BritishVogue) May 6, 2025Jenna Ortega’s metallic Balmain gown at the 2025 Met Gala, constructed from pattern-makers’ rulers, stole the show, aligning perfectly with the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” theme. Her third appearance, blending Old Hollywood glamour with bold innovation, solidifies her as a fashion icon. As the Met Gala continues to shape cultural narratives, Ortega’s look will inspire designers and fans alike.
Read: Met Gala 2025: Time, Live Stream, Red Carpet, and ‘Superfine’ Theme Details
