
Second Life The Who What Wear Podcast: Stylist Enrique Melendez on Jenna Ortega’s Gothic Glam Style Evolution and Those Viral Wednesday Season 2 Press Looks
Nov 12, 2025
Enrique Melendez, a celebrated stylist recognized for his work with Jenna Ortega, dives into the actress's gothic glam transformation. He discusses the strategic planning behind Ortega’s striking looks for the Wednesday season 2 press tour. From the reaction to the bold Ashi Studios latex gown to the creative evolution of a custom Zach Posen dress, Enrique shares fascinating behind-the-scenes stories. He highlights the influence of iconic designers like Givenchy and reflects on the trends he observed during Fashion Month.
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Longterm Style Discovery
- Enrique described discovering Jenna's authentic style over years while she transitioned from a Disney image to her true gothic-glam aesthetic.
- They explored her tastes through fittings and roles, letting personal preference guide press and red carpet choices.
Evolving A Signature Framework
- Enrique intentionally expanded the Wednesday-era framework to avoid repeating black, lace, and sheer looks for season two press.
- He sought fresh directions that still honored the Tim Burton world while keeping Jenna feeling mature and 90s-inspired.
Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Fitting
- Enrique brought many racks to a fitting with limited prior direction and the Ashi Studios latex dress unexpectedly set the tour's tone.
- Jenna initially reacted with surprise but then wanted to try it, which shaped subsequent styling choices.
