How Is The Rise Of Method Dressing Redefining Film Promotions

Janhvi Kapoor is getting lots of attention for the outfits she's wearing to promote her new movie, Mr and Mrs Mahi. She's wearing some really interesting stuff! From having cricket balls stuck to her dress to wearing a bodycon dress covered in shiny rhinestones showing a cricketer batting, her outfits are doing all the talk for her. If you haven't seen these outfits yet, let's take a look and talk about why she's chosen to dress this way. Is she the first one to do this kind of thing? What's this way of dressing called, and why is it important for an actor? Let's find out together.

Ami Patel, the stylist behind Janhvi's promotional outfits for Mr. and Mrs. Mahi has been turning heads with her choices. First, there was a stunning red dress with cricket ball designs at the back that got everyone talking. Then, she rocked a long skirt, but what really caught our attention was the jersey number of her character printed on her top. 

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A post shared by Janhvi Kapoor (@janhvikapoor)

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A post shared by Janhvi Kapoor (@janhvikapoor)

And just when you thought you'd seen it all, Patel, in collaboration with custom designer Anamika Khanna, surprised us with a unique touch of Indian jewellery: "jhumka" earrings inspired by cricket, created by Sheetal Zaveri by Vithaldas. It sounds fascinating, doesn't it? Take a closer look at them!

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As the buzz about her outfits circulated online, Janhvi didn't shy away from addressing the chatter on social media. Responding to those who criticised her for supposedly copying Zendaya, Kapoor explained her admiration for the Hollywood star. She expressed, "I'm really inspired by what Zendaya did for her Challengers and Dune promotions. And it's not just her; even Uorfi (Javed) is really creative with her fashion."

Kapoor emphasised the importance of actors embracing method dressing and dressing in a way that reflects their characters during film promotions. She admitted that while she hadn't done it much before, except for Dhadak, she believes it's a trend worth encouraging among fellow actors.

The Rise Of Method Dressing In Film Promotions

While method dressing may seem like a new craze, its roots trace back to the early 1990s, when Geena Davis made waves by wearing a baseball-stitched dress to the premiere of A League of Their Own. Fast forward to 2014, and Angelina Jolie stunned in a black leather dress and edgy accessories for the debut of Disney's Maleficent. Beyoncé also joined the trend in 2019, arriving at the Lion King premiere in a striking yellow gown, symbolising her character Nala.

However, it was Margot Robbie who truly ignited the method-dressing frenzy last summer. During the press tour for her film, she dazzled in various authentic Barbie outfits, from a Day to Night Barbie-inspired ensemble to a custom Schiaparelli gown mimicking the iconic Solo in the Spotlight Barbie.

But it was Zendaya and her stylist, Law Roach, who arguably propelled method dressing to new heights. Their collaboration began in 2017 with a circus-inspired outfit for The Greatest Showman events. Zendaya continued to push boundaries, donning a cobweb dress for Spiderman events in 2019 and a futuristic metallic robot ensemble at the Dune 2 premiere.

This year, solidifying her reputation as the reigning queen of method dressing on the global stage, she styled it for Challengers. Watch here.

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Alia Bhatt's 2022 film Gangubai Kathiawadi promotions embraced method dressing. Throughout the promotional events, the actor showcased a series of elegant looks centred around a classic white saree. Ami Patel, who styled Bhatt, then ensured that these outfits were not merely white but unique and captivating.

From a Jamdani white saree adorned with handwoven motifs to a semi-sheer drape featuring intricate chikankari embroidery, Bhatt's choices celebrated the timeless beauty of lightweight handloom fabrics. To add a touch of freshness to her refined aesthetic, she accessorised with fresh flowers in her hair bun and huge earrings akin to her character Gangubai.

For her next film, Rocky Aur Rani, Bhatt once again opted for method dressing during the promotional events, this time again focusing on sarees. Interestingly, her co-star Ranveer Singh also joined in. See how.

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Kriti Sanon went for method dressing during the promotions of her 2023 film Adipurush. Her stylist, Sukruti Grover, chose sarees and ghaghras draped in traditional ways, giving off a very ethnic vibe. The fabrics were mostly handwoven, and one of the standout pieces was a saree paired with a special shawl. This shawl, inspired by tales from Ayodhya, took over two years to create and required more than 6,000 hours of work.

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Did you catch a glimpse of these outfits during the promotions? Did they pique your curiosity, leaving you eager to learn more about the characters or the plot of the movie? Well, the answer lies in one of the main reasons why actors opt for method styling or dressing during their movie promotions.

As actors are now required to engage in numerous film promotions, method dressing has emerged as a widely embraced marketing and storytelling strategy. This allows actors to showcase their style prowess while simultaneously offering audiences insights into the film's narrative and characters.

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