Zendaya’s red carpet appearances are known for their intentional and cohesive nature, with each look telling a unique story that extends from head to toe. Collaborating with her stylist Law Roach and hairstylist Ursula Stephen, Zendaya creates characters through her fashion choices, makeup, and hairstyles. During the Dune II press tour, she channeled the film’s themes with pre-Raphaelite curls, luminous highlighter, and bronze touches that complemented her outfits. Roach describes this approach as “method dressing,” where each look serves as an extension of the movie’s wardrobe, adding depth and purpose to her appearances.
The Met Gala has also been a platform for Zendaya to showcase her character-driven style. From her Joan of Arc look to her Cinderella cosplay, she uses the event’s themes to visually iterate on iconic characters. At the Academy Awards, she wore a skin-skimming Armani Privé gown adorned with silver palm trees, paired with Old Hollywood curls and a classic cat eye. Her emerald Vera Wang gown at the 2019 Emmys transformed her soft waves into an ode to Poison Ivy, showcasing a range of styles from slick and modern to hyper-feminine throwbacks.
Zendaya’s recent press for Challengers has featured a blonde transformation that further enhances her character-driven looks. Working with Louis Vuitton and custom Loewe designs, she styles her blonde hair in soft curls, a twee updo with a headband, and a preppy flipped-up bob. Stephen explains that the hair choices are calculated and intricate, allowing room for aesthetic evolution as they play with different blonde shades to find what works best for each look. Zendaya’s transformation for the Challengers premiere tour exemplifies her ability to adapt and evolve her style while staying true to her character-driven approach.
Ultimately, Zendaya’s red carpet appearances are more than just fashion statements; they are complete character studies that showcase her intentionality and storytelling through style. By collaborating with Roach and Stephen, she brings her characters to life through carefully curated looks that complement each other and support the story she wants to tell. From method dressing at the Dune II press tour to iconic Met Gala moments and the Challengers premiere tour blonde transformation, Zendaya’s red carpet appearances are a testament to her ability to create memorable and meaningful fashion moments that transcend the typical red carpet look.
