Last Night’s Soirée: Jenna Ortega Dons Thom Browne Platform Oxfords to Toast the Designer’s 20th Anniversary
Leave it to Jenna Ortega to put a playful spin on polished dressing. The Wednesday star has quickly become a red carpet darling with her penchant for brooding glamour and darkly romantic style. And while her on-screen character favors stark monochromes, Ortega brought a dose of whimsy to an intimate dinner celebrating Thom Browne’s two decades in fashion.
Hosted at The Grill in New York, the exclusive guest list was filled with Browne’s muses and admirers. Under the moody flicker of the restaurant’s iconic vintage lamps, Ortega made a memorable arrival in an ensemble that cleverly married her signature gothic allure with the designer’s preppy boyish charm.
She began with a Thom Browne suit in various gray hues, its chessboard pattern and contrasting textures evoking a charming eccentricity. The blazer’s strong shoulders and baggy shorts exaggerated the silhouette for a subversive take on classic tailoring. Ortega then layered the look over a crisp white collared shirt and playful striped tie. But the pièce de résistance was her choice of footwear: a pair of patent leather oxford platforms straight from the designer’s Fall/Winter 2022 collection.
With their rounded toes, thick platforms and slender stiletto heels, the shoes struck a balance between schoolboy polish and rebellious edge. Ortega completed the look with white and black mismatched knee socks — a Browne signature. Together, the elements melded into a look that was equal parts prim, punkish and cleverly self-aware.
The event also celebrated the launch of Browne’s first monograph, created in collaboration with Phaidon. After two decades at the helm of his eponymous label, the American designer has cemented himself as a visionary in modern fashion. Loved for his precise tailoring and subversive play with tradition, Browne continues to redefine American sportswear.
It was only fitting that Ortega would toast the monumental occasion in her own visionary style. The actress has emerged as a muse for both Browne and gothic glamour itself. With acclaimed performances in Scream and Wednesday, she continues to captivate audiences with her singular screen presence and bold red carpet spirit. Last night once again proved that only Jenna Ortega could bring such beguiling darkness to the dazzling light of Thom Browne.
