There s a reason that Zendaya consistently shuts down the red carpet. No, it s not our May cover star s preternaturally and always-on-point fashion choices (the work of the actor and longtime stylist Law Roach, who she considers something of a fashion professor) or her aura of effortless confidence. No, it s not even her chameleonic beauty. It s the intoxicating intentionality behind all of the above, elements combined with a cohesiveness that makes each event appearance a complete character study—one that extends from head to toe.
“During glam, we always speak about the fact that a story is being told and Z is the main character,” says hairstylist Ursula Stephen. “Everything should complement each other to support that story.” An analysis of the actor s recent red carpet beauty showcases the truth of this. During the Dune II press tour alone, Zendaya rocked a nude makeup palette and pre-Raphaelite curls (the work of hairstylist Tai Simon) inspired by the film s landscape and balanced by an appropriately futuristic white gown from Stéphane Rolland; luminous highlighter and wet-look coiffure in keeping with her robotic and archival Mugler couture; and bronze touches that played up her neat brunette, hair tucked into the neck of her Arrakis-esque Bottega Veneta.
"We adopted method dressing,” Roach tells Vogue of the visual feast. “The looks served as an extension of the wardrobe from the movie; It was intentional and purposeful.” This penchant for storytelling through style is further evidenced by Zendaya s iconic Met Gala moments. In fact, the event, which encourages attendees to visually iterate on a given theme, provides the perfect platform for the actor s approach. “I have a soft spot for our Joan of Arc look," says Stephen, referencing the fiery red bob that accompanied Zendaya s armored Versace at the 2018 gala, themed “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.” The steps also saw the actor s 2019 Cinderella cosplay (a playful nod to the year s “Camp”), her cinematic Tommy Hilfiger gown finished with pale blue shadow and a blonde bouffant updo that insisted on the allusion.
But of course, character-driven dressing is not relegated to the Met alone. For this year s Academy Awards, Zendaya donned a skin-skimming Armani Privé bedecked in silver palm trees, the L.A. motif paired with abbreviated Old Hollywood curls and a classic cat eye. Meanwhile, her emerald Vera Wang, worn for the 2019 Emmys, transmuted soft auburn waves into an ode to Poison Ivy. From slick and modern moments to hyper-feminine throwbacks, each of Zendaya s holistic looks is greater than the sum of its parts.
Recent press for Challengers has found Zendaya embracing new blonde hair styled to further a parade of character-driven looks. Ethereal Louis Vuitton calls for a cascade of soft curls, while a checked coat from the same designer suggests a twee updo replete with headband and side bang. And for custom Loewe inspired by a particularly luxurious court? A preppy, flipped-up bob, partially pinned. Though intricate and calculated, there s always room for aesthetic evolution. Zendaya s Challengers premiere tour blonde transformation is a perfect example of this. “I picked up a bunch of extension options from The Hair Shop in different blonde shades so we could play with each hair look since it s new for her,” says Stephen. “Things can change fast. We always do what works for the look."
