She always brings on the drama as seen here walking the red carpet at this year's Met Gala. Photo: AP
It is pretty much a given that Zendaya is not afraid to push boundaries with her dressing. Her recent looks, however, show that the actress is on a totally different level when it comes to red-carpet events.
She takes press appearances really seriously, and is now known as one of fashion’s most daring celebrities.
Every outfit she parades at a film premiere or awards show is a hit – and she chooses risky designs that could have easily gone wrong too.
At the Dune 2 London film premiere in February, Zendaya wore a robot suit.
The vintage Mugler couture design debuted on the runway way back in 1995. It is made of silver material arranged to look like an armour, with additions of PVC-covered cutouts throughout, including on the breasts and butt cheeks.
Zendaya sports quirky footwear with tennis balls embedded in the heels at a photocall in Rome. Photo: AFPRead more: Celebrity Style: Zendaya's fashion transformation is tempered by brave choices
Social media immediately went crazy for the look, with many users saying that her “extra” sense of fashion sets the bar high for other stars.
The rest of Zendaya’s outfits for the Dune 2 press tour were just as avant-garde.
In Mexico City that same month, she stepped out in a multicolour deconstructed gown by London-based brand Torisheju. It gave off major warrior princess vibes, comprising a twisted halter-neck crop top and a red and black maxi skirt with an extreme split.
She opted for an Alaia design in Paris. This design is dubbed as among the “most Instagrammed” of dresses.
It is probably also the most difficult to wear. The piece is created with 3D printed wool fabric and has a wraparound detail up top – two giant strap-like pieces just only covering her modesty.
Zendaya showed more restraint for the Challengers press tour. Yet, all her outfits for the occasion still had that little touch of something special.
In Rome last month, she wore a bedazzled tennis outfit. The glittering silver tennis dress custom made by Loewe was complemented with shoes that had neon green tennis balls pierced through the heel.
Over in Paris, she sported a preppy boxy minidress in a glossy green-and-white checkered pattern by Louis Vuitton.
It was from the fashion house’s 2013 collection, and as such, she kept to a more vintage look with a white hairband and pair of pumps.
At this years Oscars, she went full-blown old Hollywood with an antique rose silk gown. It looked like liquid metal dripping over her body.
While it looked pretty demure (despite being extremely sophisticated), a closer look reveals intricate embellishments like gunmetal paillettes and palm tree embroidery.
That said, it is at the Met Gala that Zendaya truly shines. In the past, she has dressed up in everything from a chain mail to a colour-changing Cinderella dress.
This year’s event (of which she is a co-chair) saw her parading two outfits – a black number with a bouquet-themed fascinator, and a blue one covered with embellishments resembling fruits on one side of the waist.
She opts for a vintage look in Paris, wearing a checkered minidress. Photo: AFP
A sophisticated dress resembling liquid metal at this year's Oscars. Photo: AFP
Read more: Bold and beautiful: Zendaya is a red-carpet fashion force at the Met Gala
So what’s her secret to nailing look after look all the time?
It is none other than celebrity stylist Law Roach, who in 2023, announced his retirement and is now exclusively only advising Zendaya.
Roach first started working with her when she was still the reigning queen of Disney Channel in the 2010s.
“We call each other our fashion soulmates. We also refer to our relationship as ‘big ideas, small details’,” he recently said in an interview with The New York Times.
It’s no wonder Zendaya is always the most trending star on social media whenever she makes an appearance at events.
