Jenna Ortega's Red Carpet Style: A Case for the Peplum's Comeback
The Marrakech Film Festival, a glamorous annual event, gathered an impressive jury this year, including the likes of Bong Joon Ho, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Jenna Ortega. For the festival's 22nd opening night, Ortega made a bold fashion statement that has sparked some debate.
Ortega graced the red carpet in a stunning ensemble from Bevza's Spring 2026 collection, featuring a black halterneck bodysuit with a dramatic collar and a structured, sculptural skirt. This unique combination created a peplum-inspired silhouette, a style choice that's both intriguing and controversial.
But here's where it gets interesting: Ortega's look is a modern take on the peplum, a fashion trend that many might associate with the early 2010s. However, as Ortega and other fashion icons have demonstrated, the peplum can be reinvented with an elegant and sophisticated twist.
Makeup artist Saskia Ryan created a smoky, sensual look for Ortega, using Dior Beauty products. Ortega's long, cherry-cola-tinted hair, worn loose and tousled, added to her signature gothic glam style. This look has become a signature for Ortega, who has consistently embraced powerful and unique fashion choices over the past year.
Ortega was joined by fellow jury member Anya Taylor-Joy, who wore a custom black Dior gown with a unique bubbled silhouette. This elegant dress harkens back to the same era as the original peplums, reminding us of Dior's iconic New Look from 1947.
Ortega's gown was designed by Svitlana Bevza, a Kyiv-born designer known for her minimalist aesthetic and precise tailoring. Bevza has gained a celebrity following, with fans like Katie Holmes, Kendall Jenner, and Bella Hadid. The Spring 2026 collection took a more abstract approach, focusing on geometric shapes and clean lines, as seen in Ortega's ensemble.
And this is the part most people miss: The peplum's resurgence is not just about revisiting old trends. It's about reinventing them with a modern twist. Designers like Erdem and Ashlynn Park have presented peplums on the runway, showcasing how this style can be adapted for a contemporary audience.
In the world of celebrity fashion, the peplum has made a comeback, too. Kim Kardashian, Cynthia Erivo, and Ariana Grande have all embraced the peplum, proving that it's a mark of true fashion connoisseurship. The peplum's antiquated style has been forgotten, and it's now a symbol of refined elegance.
So, is the peplum here to stay? The fashion pendulum seems to be swinging back in favor of polished and prim styles, and as Jenna Ortega demonstrates, the peplum can be a cool and unique addition to any red carpet look.
What do you think? Is the peplum a style you'd embrace, or is it a trend that should stay in the past? Let us know in the comments!
