Press junkets, social media posts and contractually obliged red carpet appearances are all par for the course when you’re a movie star promoting your latest film.
But now celebrities are taking marketing to the next level by dressing up in ensembles inspired by their characters at award shows as a clever way to drum up excitement for the audience.
Vogue described the tactic as a ‘chance to extend a project’s cinematic universe onto the red carpet before the movie even premieres’ and Fashion Magazine dubbed the move ‘sartorial storytelling at its finest’.
Fashion expert and stylist Lisa Talbot, from Maidenhead, told FEMAIL that method dressing helps actors being remembered for the role they played, and ‘brings the character to life’.
Most recently at the Baftas , Best Actress winner Emma Stone gave a nod to her award-winning performance as Bella Baxter in Poor Things in a creamy peach gown that puffed at the sleeves
The quirky garment had a silk skirt with a statement trim and pretty button detailing down the side. The aesthetic appeared to take inspiration from Bella’s Victorian-era silhouettes while adding a fashionable, modern twist that ensured all eyes were on her
However, as a slew of ensembles become engrossed in the trend, she said there may be some wardrobe fatigue on the horizon.
‘I think we miss seeing the actors in the gowns that we love seeing them wear at award ceremonies,’ Lisa explained.
‘The ones where we see the actor’s personality shining through.’
Most recently at the Baftas, Best Actress winner Emma Stone gave a nod to her award-winning performance as Bella Baxter in Poor Things in a creamy peach gown that puffed at the sleeves.
The quirky garment had a silk skirt with a statement trim and pretty button detailing down the side.
The aesthetic appeared to take inspiration from Bella’s Victorian-era silhouettes while adding a fashionable, modern twist that ensured all eyes were on her.
Meanwhile, Margot Robbie was quite literally living in a Barbie world during the film’s global press tour this summer.
The Australian actress, 33, who played the famous doll, was wearing outfits inspired by or exact replicas of ensembles worn by her character.
Meanwhile, Margot Robbie was quite literally living in a Barbie world during the film’s global press tour this summer. Pictured in Seoul for a Barbie news conference
The Australian actress, 33, who played the famous doll, was wearing outfits inspired by or exact replicas of ensembles worn by her character
Margot’s commitment to pink persevered, and the star has become synonymous with her titular role
Margot pictured at the European premiere of Barbie in London over the summer – wearing a dusty pink gown
Margot’s pink persistence hasn’t yet stopped. Pictured at the Golden Globe Awards in California last month
From a monochrome dress similar to the swimsuit worn by the first-ever Barbie to the doll’s 1985 Day to Night looks, Margot put her best Barbiecore fashion foot forward.
For her first stop in Beverly Hills, the Oscar-nominated actress wore a modern Barbie look with a pink and white polka dot Valentino minidress.
The front part of the halterneck dress was cut out and she completed her look with classic, white Manolo Blahnik heels. It was inspired by the 2015 Pink & Fabulous Barbie doll.
Next Margot wore a black-and-white outfit during a trip to Australia, reminiscent of the swimsuit worn by Barbie in 1959.
Then on the red carpet at the Barbie premiere in Seoul, South Korea, the actress wore a crystal-embellished ensemble by Versace.
Her outfit featured a figure-hugging bodice and frilled skirt, and she completed her look with darker pink crystal Versace handbag and glittering ruby ring.
The look was inspired by the 1985 Day to Night edition of Barbie, and at the premiere Margot also changed outfits into a pink blazer and classy hat.
Margot’s commitment to pink persevered, and the star has become synonymous with her titular role.
Halle Bailey, who played Ariel in the live action of The Little Mermaid, chanelled the character through her wadrobe
Elsewhere Halle Bailey made sure that it wasn’t just her angelic voice audiences remembered in The Little Mermaid – but also her style
The American actress, 23, leaned fully into mermaidcore as she promoted the Disney live action movie, where she played lead role Ariel
Other ensembles saw her lean into bodice-style fits reminiscent of mermaids, and draped tulle fabrics which channelled a romantic fairytale look
Elsewhere Halle Bailey made sure that it wasn’t just her angelic voice audiences remembered in The Little Mermaid – but also her style.
The American actress, 23, leaned fully into mermaidcore as she promoted the Disney live action movie, where she played lead role Ariel.
At the Australian premiere this summer, she opted for a baby blue gown which featured a scalloped, corset style bodice in a satin fabric with glittering embellishments.
And for Los Angeles’s screening, she donned a spectacular fishtail dress that glistened and sparkled like the scales on marine life.
Other ensembles saw her lean into bodice-style fits reminiscent of mermaids, and draped tulle fabrics which channelled a romantic fairytale look.
Netflix sensation Wednesday also appeared to hop onto the trend, with Jenna Ortega opting for a glam goth look at the 2023 Met Gala in May.
Netflix sensation Wednesday also appeared to hop onto the trend, with Jenna Ortega opting for a glam goth look at the 2023 Met Gala in May
The 21-year-old actress who portrays the titular role leaned into the character’s dark, gothic aesthetics
Meanwhile, at the Los Angeles premiere, she leaned into Morticia Adams’ aesthetics with a black lace gown and matching veil
Jenna opted for the dark, chic elegance of the Addams Family as she sported a black lace gown for the world premiere of Wednesday
Elsewhere the 2023 Screen Actors Guild Awards saw her stun in a theatrical, dark strapless Versace dress with a fitted bodice
The 21-year-old actress who portrays the titular role wore a custom Thom Browne outfit that featured a black lace-up corset and matching schoolgirl bow-tie.
This year’s theme for the annual fundraiser held at the Metropolitan Museum Of Art was ‘Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty’ and Jenna’s outfit also paid homage to the late designer with its black-and-white look and heavy jewelry that were typically featured in his designs.
Jenna’s outfit included sheer knee-high black stockings, black-and-white platform brogues and white gloves with exposed tips.
Her long black skirt included golden trim and included a long train that flowed behind as she ascended the famous staircase at the annual fundraiser.
Meanwhile, at the Los Angeles premiere, she leaned into Morticia Addams’ aesthetics with a black lace gown and matching veil.
Elsewhere the 2023 Screen Actors Guild Awards saw her stun in a theatrical, dark strapless Versace dress with a fitted bodice.
Fashion Magazine praised Zendaya’s team for being among the pioneers of the technique – citing in particular her red carpet looks while promoting Take Spider-Man: No Way Home, which included a spider web pattern emroidered gown and a superhero eye mask.
Fashion Magazine praised Zendaya’s team for being among the pioneers of the technique – citing in particular her red carpet looks while promoting Take Spider-Man: No Way Home, which included a spider web pattern emroidered gown and a superhero eye mask
Zendaya pictured at a premier in Los Angeles, sporting a super hero esque eye mask for the Spider-Man: No Way Home premiere in 2021
Zendaya and Tom Holland pictured during an action-packed scene in Spider-Man: No Way Home
The star, 27, has also continued to amp up the trend with her recent ensembles while marketing Dune 2
Last week Zendaya, who plays the warrior Chani in the franchise, wore a piece of fashion history to the event – a Thierry Mugler robot suit from his fall/winter 1995 Couture Collection
Zendaya pictured in Dune 2. The star has been for years pioneering the art of ‘method dressing’ on the red carpet
Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya pictured in Dune 2 – with the cast leaning into futuristic ensembles to promote the film
The outlet also reported how beyond helping to market the movie, it also helps the actor with ‘establish a defining career era in line with each respective project’ – and build up a brand.
The star, 27, has also continued to amp up the trend with her recent ensembles while marketing Dune 2.
Last week Zendaya, who plays the warrior Chani in the franchise, wore a piece of fashion history to the event – a Thierry Mugler robot suit from his fall/winter 1995 Couture Collection.
Another recent red star addition saw Dakota Johnson and Sydney Sweeney – who were recently in Madame Web together – attend the world premiere in spider-esque aesthetics
Dakota, 34, plays the titular character – a clairvoyant who is able to see into the future – and made a nod to the film’s aesthetics and theme in a silver chainmail-style dress reminiscent of the patterns made by the arachnid. Pictured in the film
The star plays a teenager being hunted down for being future Spider-Woman. Pictured in the movie
The skintight outfit featured a cut out detail across the midriff and legs, complete with silver gloves along with matching knee-high boots.
Another recent red star addition saw Dakota Johnson and Sydney Sweeney – who were recently in Madame Web together – attend the world premiere in spider-esque aesthetics.
Dakota, 34, plays the titular character – a clairvoyant who is able to see into the future – and made a nod to the film’s aesthetics and theme in a silver chainmail-style dress reminiscent of the patterns made by the arachnid.
Elsewhere her co-star Sydney, 26, sported a sleeveless form-fitting dress embroidered with web-like black patterns.
The star plays a teenager being hunted down for being future Spider-Woman.