I’ve been meaning to write this post ever since the launch of the new 'Beetlejuice' movie last year, when all eyes turned once again to Winona Ryder—the ultimate 90s icon whose offbeat charm, gothic beauty, and unmistakable weirdness made her one of the most captivating stars of her generation.
Winona Ryder’s collaborations with Tim Burton have helped define a gothic‑romantic style that’s become almost synonymous with all things spooky‑chic. In 'Beetlejuice' (1988) she introduced Lydia Deetz—a character whose pale skin, dark, inky hair with sharp bangs, and closet full of black lace and Victorian silhouettes made her an instant icon. Ryder has said she was very much herself in that role: already dressing in grungy black, using drugstore dyes (blue‑black), cutting jagged bangs.
In 'Edward Scissorhands', she leans into more whimsical fantasy elements—romantic gowns, softly dramatic hair—while still retaining that Burton signature of contrast: innocence and otherness, light and shadow. Her look in publicity and recent red‑carpet moments (especially in the press around 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice') often pays homage to Lydia’s style—dark tailoring, moody makeup (purple smoky eyes, lived‑in liner), tulle, and that sense of drama that balances between costume and personality.
Here the actress return to the cover of British ELLE for the September 2025 issue, capturing everything we’ve always loved about her—mysterious, timeless, and effortlessly cool. Photographed by Olivia Malone in a moody, gothic-glamour setting, the editorial is a perfect nod to both her iconic past and enduring influence.
As Halloween approaches, it’s the perfect time to revisit her unforgettable roles. Watch these classics for a stylishly eerie movie night and enjoy a beautifully haunted dose of Winona magic.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)
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