In Marrakech, Jenna Ortega turned a glittering red carpet into a moment of sacred couture. The 22nd Marrakech Film Festival saw Ortega arrive in a white silk halterneck gown, custom by Dolce & Gabbana, with a low back and a built-in chain that led to a delicate gold cross resting at her hip. The overall effect was not merely glamorous but almost sermon-like, a whisper of religious iconography woven into Hollywood chic. The look was completed with minimal jewelry, smoky makeup, and cherry-tinted hair.
This sartorial choice sits within a broader cultural conversation about the Catholic aesthetic in contemporary fashion and cinema. Since the election of Pope Leo XIV, the Vatican has actively sought dialogue with film culture, inviting stars and directors to engage with sacred imagery on the modern stage. At the same time, stars like Rosalia have pushed religious motifs into pop glamour, with LUX visuals featuring rosary heels, holy iconography, and even a nun’s habit in album imagery. Ortega’s cross hangs as a focal point, echoing both a gothic mood and a statement about faith as fashion.
The Marrakech moment illustrates a shift in how fashion houses approach sacred symbolism. Dolce & Gabbana’s cross pendant, as part of a simple chained presentation over a white silk gown, makes the holy symbol a wearable accessory rather than a religious sign alone. The soft backless silhouette and minimal jewelry let the cross speak, while the ruby ring and bracelet add a hint of richness. The mood aligns with the pope’s flamboyant liturgical looks and the Vatican’s cinematic engagement.
The chain attaches fabric at the hip with a delicate gold cross hanging. Ruby ring and bracelet; makeup smoky with dried blood-red lip; hair long and glossy cherry cola. Contrasting with the earlier Bevza peplumed black dress, the new look preserves a combined gothic elegance and modern minimalism.
The cross as accessory highlights a broader conversation: can fashion and faith collide on equal terms within high-profile cinema? The Vatican’s interest in cinema and star power is intended to deepen dialogue, while fashion houses experiment with religious iconography to create dramatic, talk-worthy moments on screen and on the carpet.