Jenna Ortega wore a sculptural dress constructed from steel rods and 6,500 crystal beads at a special screening of her upcoming film, Klara and the Sun, in New York City on 19 October 2026. The actress attended the event at the Crosby Street Hotel wearing a handmade creation by designer Elias Matso from his Melt With Me collection. The ankle-length dress featured a corseted bodice, a plunging halter-style neckline and cascading crystal embellishments. Ortega paired the dress with nude heels.
She praised the designer's craftsmanship, describing the garment as a one-of-a-kind creation that required considerable work. 'I've just met the designer, and he's so special and so cool,' Ortega said. 'His name is Elias. He is incredible.' The actress also explained why she had chosen the design for the screening of the science-fiction drama, which is scheduled for theatrical release on 23 October 2026.
Jenna doing a little photoshoot behind the scenes! #JennaOrtega #KlaraAndTheSun pic.twitter.com/Gb5Jxywgyq
— 🔨 Logan 🦋🌪️ (@SuperSonOfKalEl) October 20, 2026
Inside the Steel-Rod Dress With 6,500 Crystal Beads
Matso's creation combined cotton coutil, viscose jersey and hand-cut steel spiral boning with thousands of crystal beads attached to galvanised steel wire. The corseted bodice featured a plunging neckline, while strands of crystals extended down the length of the garment. The 6,500 beads were individually mounted on wire, forming a cascading structure around the dress.
Boning refers to structural components used to shape and support clothing. Matso's design incorporated steel spiral boning as a visible part of its construction. The designer had previously shared footage of the unfinished garment on Instagram in April 2026, showing a model wearing the developing piece.
'Boning made fluid. Still in process, can't wait to share more about the process of this dress and all the people involved❤️,' Matso wrote. The post documented the garment before Ortega wore it publicly.
In a separate Instagram post, Matso described the challenges involved in completing the piece, including repeated reconstruction, financial losses and international shipping difficulties. 'This dress was a massive test of my free will and just how much I was willing to put towards something that did not have a guaranteed return,' he wrote. He also described working on the garment in six cities with assistance from several collaborators.
Jenna Ortega Praises Elias Matso's Handmade Creation
Ortega credited Matso for holding onto the dress for her and said its design suited the film she was promoting. 'He's been holding onto this dress for me, and it's perfect. It's very fitting with the film, so I'm so grateful,' she said.
The actress did not identify a specific element of the garment as a deliberate reference to the film's characters or storyline. Her comments focused on the dress's handmade construction and its suitability for the occasion. Celebrity stylist Enrique Melendez styled Ortega for the New York appearance.
She wore her brunette hair parted down the centre, with smoky eye makeup complementing the metal and crystal detailing. Ortega was joined at the screening by co-star Amy Adams and director Taika Waititi.
Adams wore a black-and-white dress from Rosie Assoulin's spring/summer 2027 ready-to-wear collection, featuring contrasting white sleeves and a fitted silhouette. The screening followed the film's world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival on 15 October 2026.
What Is 'Klara and the Sun' About?
Klara and the Sun follows Klara, a solar-powered Artificial Friend designed to provide companionship. Ortega plays the humanoid character, who develops a close relationship with a teenage girl named Josie, portrayed by Mia Tharia. Josie and her mother, played by Adams, are dealing with a family loss. Klara's presence gradually changes their relationship as she attempts to understand human emotions and behaviour.
The film adapts Kazuo Ishiguro's 2021 novel of the same name. Waititi directed the adaptation and shares screenplay credit with Dahvi Waller. The cast also includes Aran Murphy, Steve Buscemi and Natasha Lyonne.
The film is scheduled for theatrical release in the United States on 23 October 2026, with international releases beginning around the same period. Ortega is also known for portraying Wednesday Addams in Netflix's Wednesday and Tara Carpenter in the Scream franchise.
A One-of-a-Kind Design With a Lengthy Production Process
Matso's dress had been in development for months before Ortega wore it at the New York screening. His earlier Instagram footage showed the garment while work was continuing, with the designer describing the process of transforming structural boning into a fluid-looking piece. The finished creation combined steel components with thousands of crystals, requiring extensive handwork and collaboration.
Matso's subsequent account of the production described failed trials, rebuilding and logistical difficulties before the garment was completed. Ortega's appearance brought the design to a film-screening red carpet after its development had been documented online.
The actress credited the designer for the work involved and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to wear it. 'This is a one-of-one dress. It's made out of steel rods. So it's handmade, human-made, a lot of effort,' Ortega said.
