Zendaya has long been celebrated as a trendsetter in method dressing, a style strategy expertly executed by her stylist, Law Roach. This approach seamlessly integrates with Zendaya’s fashion ethos.
What is method dressing?
Method dressing can be broadly described as dressing that reflects or complements the theme or essence of the project or event in which one is engaged. In Hollywood, this practice extends beyond the silver screen to encompass the red carpet and other settings, effectively transporting the allure of cinema into broader cultural contexts.
The Greatest Showman
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Her journey with method dressing began during the promotion of ‘The Greatest Showman’ in 2017. For instance, she embraced the role of a ringmaster in a Ralph Lauren suit and a butterfly Moschino dress.
Challengers
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Recently, Zendaya elevated the tennis aesthetic for her film ‘Challengers’. Notably, she wore custom Loewe tennis ball pumps with a dazzling silver tennis dress. This iconic look garnered attention, but throughout the film’s promotions, Zendaya consistently made fashion statements, sometimes subtly and sometimes boldly.
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During the Australian premiere of ‘Challengers’, Zendaya stunned in a striking green Loewe gown featuring a dramatic thigh-high slit, a plunging neckline, and a silhouette of a tennis player gearing up to serve a ball. She complemented this with custom sparkly pumps and accessorised with Bulgari earrings and an emerald ring.
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In London for the UK premiere, Zendaya graced the red carpet in a unique sparkly white Thom Browne dress adorned with athletic mesh and tennis racket appliqués. The pleated design, accentuated with a contemporary bow, was paired with matching pumps and a playful hair ribbon.
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Continuing her style journey at the Monte Carlo ATP Masters Series Tournament, Zendaya donned a flirty mini dress from Ralph Lauren’s 1992 collection, previously worn by Cindy Crawford. Her outfit was complemented by Louboutin pumps and Bulgari jewellery.
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At an after-party following the L.A. premiere, Zendaya dazzled in a neon green halter neck dress by Celia Kritharioti, featuring a tennis ball detail at the neckline.
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During a press event in Beverly Hills, Zendaya exuded spring vibes in a custom pastel pink Jacquemus dress, perfectly coordinated with bow-embellished slingback pumps and a matching headband.
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Seen leaving her New York hotel, Zendaya sported an emerald green polo shirt paired with a side-striped skirt from Tory Burch, channeling a chic tennis-inspired look.
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In New York, amidst press events, Zendaya embraced a tennis pro aesthetic with a pleated mini skirt and baggy pullover sweatshirt from Longchamp, opting for white running shoes for a sporty touch.
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Zendaya also embraced the versatility of sweatshirt dresses with a hooded body-hugging dress from ALAÏA’s Summer/Fall 2024 collection, accessorised with Bulgari bracelets.
Dune
For the press tour of ‘Dune’, Zendaya and stylist Law Roach took their game to the next level with shimmering golden gowns, spirally 3-D printed pieces, and baggy ensembles that subtly nodded to the film. Zendaya’s outfits were equally show-stopping, featuring couture looks like a 1995 Mugler robot suit, a 1999 Givenchy skirt set, and a sophisticated Bottega Veneta ensemble in deep brown. Her evolution in method dressing continues to inspire and captivate fashion enthusiasts worldwide.
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At the premiere of Dune: Part Two, Zendaya rocked a stunning vintage outfit from Mugler’s Fall/Winter 1995 couture collection, showcasing a chrome suit of armour intricately adorned with clear panels on the arms, chest, back, and legs (even including a playful peek at the rear). True to her style, Zendaya accessorised the look with a dazzling diamond necklace featuring a large blue gemstone, along with Mugler’s metallic stiletto platform heels to complete the ensemble.
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At a photo call in Paris, the actor wore a striking frosty white ensemble from Maison Alaïa. This standout piece, unveiled on the house’s Fall 2024 runway just weeks earlier, featured a 3-D printed wool construction. The structured bodice was designed in a corkscrew shape, elegantly wrapping around the actor’s torso and descending into a floor-length asymmetrical skirt, accented by a daring thigh-high slit on one side. Zendaya chose a minimalist approach, opting out of jewellery and completing the look with sleek white pointed-toe pumps.
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Following her attention-grabbing appearance in Paris, the Dune star returned to the red carpet to showcase another bold fashion choice. This time, she opted for a custom creation from Louis Vuitton, moving away from Maison Alaïa’s renowned 3-D printed corkscrew dress. The outfit included a midriff-baring top paired with a large hooded scarf that covered her neck, along with a full ball-gown skirt gathered at the waist in a drop-waist style. Both garments were crafted from shimmering gold fabric with a crinkled texture resembling roses. She accessorised further with a selection of vintage Bulgari pieces, such as a gold Serpenti bracelet and diamond-encrusted earrings.
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During a press event in Paris, the actor appeared in a relaxed Balmain Fall/Winter 2024 sleeveless menswear runway outfit reminiscent of a sand dune. The ensemble, in a sandy brown hue, included draped layers of fabric around the neckline and across the body, evoking the natural lines found in sand. This abstract interpretation was artistic and sophisticated, striking a balance between creativity and elegance without being overly literal. The actor complemented her look with petite golden hoop huggie earrings, and her hair was fashioned into neat cornrows atop her head.
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At the Seoul, South Korea premiere, Zendaya graced the red carpet in a futuristic skirt set from Alexander McQueen’s fall 1999 collection for Givenchy. This iconic collection showcased Tron-inspired designs adorned with flashing LED lights. Zendaya’s ensemble, a standout from the runway, included a turtleneck-style jacket and matching pencil skirt featuring panels of red circuit lights. She accessorised with sheer black tights and her favourite Louboutin pumps. Her glam look was completed with a bold touch of red eyeliner and a sophisticated half-up, half-down hairstyle.
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At the Mexico City premiere of the film, Zendaya sported a crop top and matching skirt ensemble inspired by Matthieu Blazy’s fall 2023 collection for Bottega Veneta, blending high fashion elegance with a touch of sci-fi flair. Despite a muted colour palette, the outfit stood out with intricate details. Zendaya’s crop top featured an exaggerated turtleneck silhouette with a curved hemline, revealing a glimpse of her abs and a hint of under-boob. Her maxi skirt reimagined office attire with a cinched croc waistband, exposed pockets, and a dramatic side slit. Completing her premiere look were chocolate brown Louboutin pumps, a silver anklet, and slicked-back hair.
Spider-Man: Far From Home & No Way Home
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Back in 2019, Zendaya introduced theme dressing during the ‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’ press tour, in a red-and-black sequined gown by Armani Privé and paired it with Christian Louboutin heels for her film’s premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
However, her commitment to thematic fashion peaked during ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ in 2021.
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At the Los Angeles premiere of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Zendaya made a bold nod to Spider-Man’s iconic webs in a custom-designed plunging gown by Valentino, intricately embroidered for the occasion. Adding a touch of high-fashion flair, she accessorised with a black lace masquerade mask, enhancing her look during photo opportunities.
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Zendaya adorned herself with an abundance of jewels at a London photo call, dressed in an oversized blazer dress and stocking boots from Alexander McQueen’s spring/summer 2022 collection. The standout feature of her ensemble was the spiderweb-shaped earrings crafted by Jacob & Co.
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At the 2021 Ballon d’Or football awards in Paris on Nov. 29, Zendaya turned heads in a striking Roberto Cavalli gown. While not directly tied to a Spider-Man promotion, she selected the dress as a subtle nod to Dr. Octopus from the movie franchise with its intricate golden spine and reptile heads.