Jenna Ortega became one of the most prominent figures at the special screening of the sci-fi drama 'Klara and the Sun' in New York, where the actress presented her new film. The 24-year-old star, known for her role in the series 'Wednesday', chose an exclusive maxi dress with a plunging neckline for her red carpet appearance, which caught the attention of photographers and viewers primarily due to its unusual material: the outfit is made of steel rods and crystal beads. According to Ortega herself, the dress is one-of-a-kind and entirely handmade, with the designer investing significant effort into it.
The look, styled by Enrique Meléndez, was understated yet expressive: the actress paired the dress with nude heels, left her long dark hair down, and opted for natural makeup with an emphasis on the eyes, highlighted with dark eyeshadow. Details of the look and the context of the premiere appearance are described in an article by WAVE publication, which captured the public reaction to the unusual outfit.
A Dress Created Specifically for the Actress
The creator of the unique outfit was designer Elias Matso. Ortega shared that she met him right before the screening and praised him as a 'special and cool' master. The actress emphasized that the dress is a one-of-a-kind piece made from steel rods and that the designer, according to her, specifically saved this outfit just for her. In Ortega's view, the character of the dress fits the mood of the film she is presenting and successfully combines with the movie's aesthetics.
From Instagram Video to the Red Carpet
Interestingly, the model was not entirely a secret: back in April, Elias Matso posted a video on his Instagram talking about working on the outfit. Thus, by the time of the New York premiere, the dress already had a history and a public footprint on social media, adding an extra narrative layer to Ortega's appearance: viewers could trace the garment's journey from the designer's studio to the big screen. This episode highlights how, in modern fashion and film industries, handmade outfits become part of the movie's marketing and visual strategy.
What is 'Klara and the Sun' About?
At the special screening, Ortega presented the sci-fi drama in which she plays Klara, a character created to help people fight loneliness. At the center of the plot is Klara's special bond with young owner Josie (Mia Tharia), who lives in a complicated relationship with her mother (Amy Adams) and is dealing with loss. Ortega's character tries to bring hope and joy back to the girl, which sets the emotional tone for the entire story. According to the actress, the world of the film feels somewhat unusual yet familiar, as it differs from traditional depictions of the future seen in cinema before.
Adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's Novel
'Klara and the Sun' is an adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's 2021 novel of the same name. Taika Waititi directed the adaptation, and the cast, alongside Jenna Ortega, Mia Tharia, and Amy Adams, also features Aran Murphy, Steve Buscemi, and Natasha Lyonne. The combination of these factors—the literary source material, a strong directorial hand, and the memorable visual image of the main character—makes the premiere a notable event in the autumn film lineup, and Ortega's choice of a steel and crystal dress became its bright visual symbol.
