Jenna Ortega Turns Heads with Ruler-Infused Balmain Gown at 2025 Met Gala
The Met Gala thrives on spectacle and daring fashion, and Jenna Ortega just set a new bar. This year, Ortega made jaws drop on the red carpet with a custom Balmain creation by visionary designer Olivier Rousteing. Forget glitter and sequins—her look was built from an unexpected classroom staple: rulers.
Stepping away from the usual gowns and flowing trains, Ortega’s ensemble was a blazer-style onesie with sharp, architectural edges. The garment hugged her frame yet looked as if it had been sculpted, not sewn. Hints of couture tailoring were everywhere, from the crisp lapels to the cinched waist. Balmain’s signature structural play took center stage, but the true curveball was the material: each segment sparkled and reflected light in a way that suggested maybe, just maybe, you were staring at hundreds of wooden rulers assembled into one wearable piece of art.
The design didn’t stop at rulers. Ortega completed the look with a dramatic hood, adding a futuristic twist and extra drama as she moved through the crowd. The silhouette was severe yet elegant, with straight lines and sharp angles echoing the ruler theme—a clever nod to the exhibition’s focus on reinventing classic tailoring. Every inch felt purposeful, never gimmicky.
Gothic Touches and the Balmain Edge
No one could miss the unmistakable gothic fashion references. Ortega’s hair was styled in cool, loose waves, straight out of her Wednesday Addams playbook. The mood was dark, a hint witchy, but still accessible—a vibe that’s become part of Ortega’s red carpet trademark. She topped things off with pointed, black pumps that looked ready for a Tim Burton set but felt right at home in the middle of high-fashion chaos.
What’s striking is how Balmain keeps finding ways to push the conversation in fashion. Sure, we’ve seen wild, experimental Met Gala looks before, but Rousteing’s ability to weave playful, everyday items like rulers into a garment worthy of the biggest night in style? That’s next-level. The blend of classroom material and daring couture played perfectly with Ortega’s reputation for mixing edgy and fresh with a classic undertone.
Her choice didn’t just highlight her own fearless approach to style—it was a nod to Balmain’s ongoing journey as a house reinventing how materials and tradition connect. The smart combination of physical structure and creative risk-taking set Ortega apart in a crowd of more obvious statement dresses. She might be channeling dark, gothic icons, but she’s writing her own rules, quite literally.
This Met Gala moment proved that Ortega isn’t interested in playing it safe—and neither is Balmain. Who knew rulers could look this rebellious—or this chic?