The matriarch's spooky style is back and better than ever
Snap, snap. While a classic black gown is always in season, it takes a certain type of je ne sais quoi to evoke the gothic goddess-like ambiance evoked by non-other then macabre matriarch Morticia Addams. Since Academy Award-winning actress Catherine Zeta-Jones revived the iconic role in Tim Burton’s new Netflix series Wednesday, adoration for the character’s kooky and spooky style is at an all-time high with A-listers exemplifying Tish’s goth glam look.
The Addams Family franchise has seen a myriad of renditions over the years. Created by cartoonist Charles Addams, it first appeared as a comic strip in 1938 originally published in The New Yorker. Tales of the dysfunctional family eventually became a 1960s television series, a Tony Award-winning musical and a successful ’90s film franchise.
Now, Zeta-Jones is stepping into the stilettos in the revival alongside her castmates, Luis Guzmán as Morticia’s doting husband Gomez, Christina (who played Wednesday in the 1990s iteration), Gwendoline Christie, Fred Armisen and Issac Ordonez. Actress Jenna Ortega portrays the titular cynical Wednesday Addams as she navigates life as a student at Nevermore Academy. Attempting to gain control over her psychic powers, Wednesday contends with a supernatural killing spree that has invaded the local town, all while solving a 25-year-old mystery that once entangled her parents.
Previously, the role of the elegant and sleuthing Morticia has been portrayed by actresses Carolyn Jones and Anjelica Huston. With her signature cascading long raven tresses and a long bell-sleeve form-fitting black gown, Morticia’s ox-blood tinted lips and long manicure secure the character’s coveted spot as a timeless and beloved style icon.
Now that Tish is back on our screen, we couldn’t help but notice the many, many times celebrities have evoked her creepy cool style recently. There was Katie Holmes’ hooded look at the recent Tom Ford runway show. Kaia Gerber in a slinky black dress at the Academy Museum Gala. Just a few weeks ago, Ortega seemed to sprinkle a bit of Morticia’s influences into her ensembles during her press tour. She arrived to the series’ premiere in a sultry black lace Versace Spring/Summer 2023 gown with a coordinating black lace and tulle veil.
In fact, even Zeta-Jones channeled her on-screen character on the carpet. On Monday evening, the movie star opted for a dramatic embellished plunging Elie Saab gown to promote her next project, National Treasure: Edge of History. (She didrecently say she’d be happy to portray the dark priestess again: “I mean, nothing would make me more happy than to be 80 years old and still playing Morticia.”)
Below, GRAZIA USA has rounded up recent looks that evoke the essence of the inimitable Morticia Addams and get inspired to add that goth glam aesthetic to your own wardrobe…