When Jenna Ortega stepped on the red carpet at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards on September 14, 2025 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, she didn’t just arrive, she commanded attention. Dressed in a striking ensemble from Givenchy by Sarah Burton’s Fall/Winter 2025 ready-to-wear collection, Ortega delivered what many are calling one of the night’s most memorable fashion moments. It’s not often someone blends risk, craftsmanship, and personal style as seamlessly, which makes this look matter both as a red carpet moment and a statement of artistic identity.

Look Breakdown: Jewels, Skin & Sculpted Contrast

• Designer & Collection
  The outfit comes from Givenchy Fall/Winter 2025, the debut runway under Sarah Burton’s creative direction. Ortega’s stylist, Enrique Melendez, selected Look 47 for her Emmy appearance.

• Top Details
  The most eye-grabbing piece is the top — not a traditional blouse or bodice, but rather a highly crafted net of oversized gemstones, pearls, and crystals, arranged to cover both front and back.

• It operates more like jewelry than fabric, with chain links, clasps, and hardware holding the pieces together with minimal visible structure. In short: fabric takes a back seat, ornamentation takes center stage.

• Skirt, Shoes & Accessories
  To balance the gem-intensive top, Ortega wore a sleek black skirt with a high thigh slit and low-rise waist, creating a contrast between the ornate upper half and a simpler silhouette below. Platform strappy sandals, dark red lipstick, smoky eyes, and diamond accessories round out the look. Her hair was styled in a low, somewhat messy bun or ponytail to keep the focus on the top.

• Styling Intent & Symbolism
  The top seems intentional in its reference sources: many have linked it to the idea of “naked dressing” and comparisons to iconic, theatrical gowns (or tops) in cinema (for example, some observers draw parallels to Death Becomes Her and Isabella Rossellini’s outfits). It also aligns with Jenna’s established goth-glam aesthetic, which often leans darker, bold, and slightly boundary-pushing in its approach.

Trend Context: Naked Dressing, Jewelry as Fashion & The Embrace of Risk

This look fits squarely into a broader fashion moment:

• Naked / Sheer / Jewel-Overlay Trend
  The fashion world has been pushing (and pulling) at the boundaries of exposure vs art. “Naked dressing” — clothing or adornment that reveals skin or appears to hover over skin (via mesh, sheer fabrics, crystals, jewels) — has seen several red carpet appearances recently (e.g. Margot Robbie, Dakota Johnson). Ortega’s gem top ticks many of the same boxes, but with its own twist: minimal coverage, almost no base fabric, heavy adornment as the focal point.

• Red Carpet as Identity & Theatre
  For Ortega, “method dressing” (drawing style cues from her roles, especially Wednesday) seems to be more than a phrase — it’s a guiding aesthetic. Outfits like this aren’t just for show; they help build and communicate her brand: gothic, edgy, self-aware. This look also follows her previous Emmy (and other awards) appearances, where she’s tested limits (e.g., semi-sheer, embroidery, striking silhouettes). So it’s both a continuation and escalation.

• Craftsmanship & Couture Techniques
  Givenchy’s use of gemstones, pearls, and hardware in this piece exhibits high level craftsmanship. The arrangement of multi-colored gems, sizes, shapes, and how they are anchored (chain links, clasps) makes this more than a flashy look: it’s wearable art. Sarah Burton’s designs for Fall/Winter 2025 have been noted in fashion reviews as embracing ornamentation, maximalism, and reinterpreting classic glamour through modern edge. Jenna’s use of this piece shows she can champion those design values.

Reactions & Controversy: Praise, Debate & Social Media Buzz

• Praise
  Many style critics have lauded Jenna for taking bold risks. Outlets like Harper’s Bazaar, People, Glamour, E! News, and Good Morning America highlight the outfit as one of the most talked-about looks of the night. In Harper’s Bazaar, the gemstone top is described as “literally dripping in jewels” and the look is called “one of the most eye-catching” of the Emmys.

• Controversy / Debate
  Some voices push back: is it too revealing? Some fashion watchers argue that in the age of clickbait, outfits like this can overshadow the event itself, especially for a presenter vs a nominee. Others debate whether naked-top looks require more said styling to feel balanced. Yet many agree that Jenna’s styling (hair, makeup, simplicity of the skirt) helps balance the risk. There doesn’t appear to be major scandal or negative backlash in mainstream critical coverage — more admiration with some divided opinion over modesty vs statement.

Takeaways for Style Lovers: What You Can Learn From This Look

• Balance boldness with structure: When going heavy on ornamentation /exposure, pairing with something simpler (like a plain black skirt) prevents the look from tipping into “too much.” It’s about contrast: ornate vs clean lines.

• Let accessories & makeup amplify, not compete: Jenna’s dark lip, smoky eyes, sleek yet messy hair, and modest jewelry (aside from the gem top) keep the attention where it should be: the focal piece.

• Use fashion to build identity: Ortega’s look isn’t random. It relates to her roles, public persona, and fashion history. If you’re trying bold fashion yourself, choosing pieces that nod to what you’ve done or who you are can make them feel more authentic.

• Craftsmanship matters: The difference between a generic “sparkly top” and a show-stopper is in the details—how crystals are placed, the weight and movement, the hardware, the cut of the skirt. Investing in those details shows.

• Event context & narrative: Even though Jenna wasn’t nominated this year (Season 2 of Wednesday wasn’t eligible), she was a presenter, and this appearance comes on the heels of her press tour. The timing amplifies impact—people expect grand looks at awards, especially after a season of visibility. Leverage that kind of momentum if you can.

Does It Work? The Style Verdict

Yes — Jenna Ortega pulled it off. The look plays to her strengths: gothic edge, love for dramatic styling, penchant for artful risk. It amplifies her fashion voice without feeling like a costume.

While it’s bold (some might call it provocative), it feels intentional, curated, and artistically aligned. In short, it’s one of those red carpet moments that will be referenced in future “best of Emmys 2025” roundup lists, and will likely influence how celebrities approach “jewel top / minimal coverage” dressing going forward.