London Film Festival 2026: Jenna Ortega, Cynthia Erivo, and the Best-Dressed Stars Redefining Red Carpet Style

**London Film Festival 2026: Jenna Ortega, Cynthia Erivo, and the Best-Dressed Stars Redefining Red Carpet Style** The 70th BFI London Film Festival has transformed London’s Southbank into a glittering stage where cinema and fashion collide. Running from October 7 to 18, 2026, the event has already delivered a series of unforgettable red-carpet and photocall moments. Stars are using the platform not just to promote films but to experiment with color, texture, and personal style evolution—proving once again that film festivals remain one of the most exciting stages for celebrity fashion. **Jenna Ortega Steps Into Color** One of the most refreshing appearances arrived on October 14 at the Corinthia Hotel photocall for *Klara and the Sun*. Jenna Ortega, long associated with gothic, dark aesthetics from her *Wednesday* and *Beetlejuice Beetlejuice* press tours, arrived in a graphic color-blocked Calvin Klein Spring 2027 ensemble designed by Veronica Leoni. The look featured a white bodice with bright yellow three-quarter sleeves, a sleek high-waisted black maxi skirt with subtle asymmetric seaming, and a coordinating silk scarf—nodding to 1960s Mod graphics and clean American sportswear. What elevated the moment was her companion: her black whippet, Twigs (sometimes referred to as Sig). The pair coordinated perfectly, with Twigs’ dark coat echoing the black elements of Ortega’s outfit. Styled by Enrique Melendez, the look was finished with golden Suzanne Kalan mini-hoop earrings and Christian Louboutin platform booties that added height without disrupting the floor-length hem. The shift away from character-coded dressing felt intentional and timely as Ortega promotes Taika Waititi’s adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel. It signaled a welcome expansion of her red-carpet identity beyond the macabre. **Cynthia Erivo’s Sunshine Statement** The previous evening, Cynthia Erivo lit up the Royal Festival Hall for the premiere of *Prima Facie*. The Oscar-nominated *Wicked* star chose a custom golden-yellow Prada gown that radiated pure sunshine against the purple backdrop. The bias-cut silk satin dress featured oversized black grosgrain bow details at the shoulders, a square neckline, an architectural open back that framed her tattoos, and a long, fluid train that pooled elegantly on the carpet. Paired with more than $50,000 in delicate diamonds from Marli and intricately manicured nails in soft pink and green, the look marked a bold departure from the green-toned *Wicked* press wardrobe. Stylist James Bolden delivered a silhouette that balanced sultriness with structured drama. Erivo’s choice of canary yellow proved that vibrant color remains one of the most effective tools for commanding attention on a crowded red carpet. **Ayo Edebiri’s Feathered Surprise** Ayo Edebiri delivered one of the festival’s most architectural moments at the October 12 screening of *Clarissa*. Wearing a Chanel two-piece from Matthieu Blazy’s Spring/Summer 2026 Haute Couture collection, the actress presented a deceptively simple front view: a cream sleeveless top with tiered fringe and a sleek black pencil skirt. From the side and back, however, the top transformed into a voluminous, feather-like bustle that evoked Victorian volume reimagined through modern couture. A column of jeweled buttons ran down the spine, while Chanel red-and-green drop earrings provided a precise pop of color. Stylist Danielle Goldberg kept the rest of the accessories minimal so the dramatic silhouette could speak for itself. The look perfectly captured Blazy’s interest in poetic, avian, and storybook references. **More Festival Standouts** The broader carpet has been equally strong. Monica Barbaro shimmered in an ice-blue sequined Dior midi gown with spaghetti straps and a frilly hem for the *Artificial* gala, paired with metallic Paris Texas heels. Carey Mulligan opted for a straight-off-the-runway silver pleated Celine tunic and trousers from Michael Rider’s Spring/Summer 2027 collection. Gemma Chan chose a long Dries Van Noten dress printed with a blown-up Flemish painting, finished with a high neckline and twisted knot at the waist. Earlier, Scarlett Johansson made a powerful statement in a vibrant red custom Prada gown, while Florence Pugh continued her strong festival run in lilac Wiederhoeft. **The Bigger Style Takeaway** What unites these appearances is a clear willingness to experiment. Ortega is moving beyond her signature darkness, Erivo is embracing bold yellow after a period of method dressing, and stars like Edebiri and Mulligan are pulling recent runway and couture pieces with confidence. Texture, architectural details, and color are dominating over safe neutrals. As the festival wraps on October 18, the remaining premieres will almost certainly deliver more surprises. Which look has been your favorite so far? Tell us in the comments, and stay tuned for more celebrity style coverage from VRGyani.