Zendaya has ascended the fashion stratosphere not just as a style maven, but also as an icon influencing global fashion, one outfit at a time. Her sartorial choices, marked by a marriage of calculated audacity, have continually captured the public’s imagination. The evolution from a Disney starlet to the posterchild of contemporary fashion was on prominent display during her recent press tour for the film Challengers, where each appearance seemed to redefine the way celebrities engage with movie promotions.
Beyond merely wearing outfits, Zendaya’s ensembles narrate stories, crafted by the industry’s top designers. Further solidifying her influence in 2024, the Euphoria actress is also co-chairing the prestigious Met Gala, confirming her status as a fashion leader. The two-time Primetime Emmy winner has earned her role as both a trendsetter and a muse, profoundly impacting the industry and making her one of the most sought-after celebrity canvases to exist in current times.
Zendaya’s outfits at the 2024 #MetGala. pic.twitter.com/xkYnbqW2kB
— Pop Base (@PopBase) May 7, 2024
As part of her Met duties, the 27-year-old impressed in not one, but two spectacular renditions of this year’s theme, The Garden of Time. The first of these looks was an incredible Maison Margiela Artisanal by John Galliano creation, which was based on a 1999 Dior dress. Walking the iconic steps in the outfit, Zendaya channeled a villain-esque aesthetic. With berry-like embellishments and a tulle-feather fascinator, this ensemble delivered the impact it was meant to.
Proceeding to her second look for the night, the Dune star swapped out the earthy tones to slip into a 1996 piece from John Galliano’s Givenchy era. While the gown was a nod to the corseted silhouette, the floral headpiece, designed by Philip Treacy for Alexander McQueen back in 2006, raised the bar on the all-black ensemble.
The most expensive outfits worn by Zendaya
1. Valentino Haute Couture at the Oscars 2021
Zendaya’s most expensive outfits include the custom Valentino Haute Couture creation she wore at the 2021 Academy Awards, exemplifying her knack for making every appearance a celestial event. The gown, a bright yellow number inspired by Cher’s iconic 1970s style, came with a price tag befitting its grandeur and was elevated further with Bulgari jewels worth USD 6 million. The outfit wasn’t just a high-fashion moment; it was a declaration of Zendaya’s status as a timeless fashion icon. Her stylist, Law Roach, and Valentino’s Pierpaolo Piccioli worked in close harmony to mirror the energy of Hollywood’s golden age, with a modern twist that only Zendaya could execute so flawlessly.
“The inspiration was all about this jewellery,” Roach shared in a post-Oscars interview. “We have a beautiful gown, but in the fitting, we had a whole gamut of these incredible, incredible pieces from Bulgari, and the jewellery just literally became the star of the show,” he added. Speaking about his relationship with the star, he said, “I think Zendaya and I, our relationship is just filled with so much trust. It depends on how much or how little she inserts it in each situation. I like to joke and think that I’m the boss, but she’s really the boss. She trusts me to bring her the things that I think are the best and that really suits her and really speaks to who she is as this fashion phenom.”
2. Bulgari tennis dress for the Challengers press tour in Rome
For a Challengers press event in Rome, Zendaya served up a spectacular fashion moment that unequivocally declared her as the queen of movie promotions. Wearing a custom tennis dress by Bulgari, the actress combined sporty chic with a big dollop of couture. This sparkling silver iridescent fabric dress featured a bold plunging V-neckline and a drop-waist pleated mini skirt that playfully flirted with both sophistication and athletic inspiration.
To further upgrade this already standout look, the actress pulled out the most extraordinary pair of custom Loewe white court shoes. These weren’t just any shoes; they featured a creative twist with neon yellow tennis balls embellished with the brand’s emblem, ingeniously threaded through each of the heels. A nod to the tennis theme, anyone?
Complementing this ensemble, Zendaya opted for a half-up, half-down hairstyle, which, along with diamond studs and a stack of silver bangles, leaned into a more preppy yet polished aesthetic. Her partnership with Roach is known for its thematic and meticulously curated appearances, and this outfit was no exception. For Zendaya, it’s not just about fashion but also about telling a story and aligning it perfectly with the themes of her films.
3. Loewe green gown for the Challengers premiere in Australia
At the Australian premiere of Challengers, Zendaya took thematic dressing to new heights with a breathtaking Loewe gown. This ensemble wasn’t just a dress; it was a narrative woven into fabric, featuring a striking green shade and a thigh-high leg slit that ensured all eyes were strictly on her. The gown was meticulously designed to incorporate the silhouette of a tennis player mid-serve. The nod to the movie’s theme effectively transformed the dress into a storytelling canvas.
The design of the gown was both a celebration of the sport and an ode to high fashion, embodying the spirit of the Wimbledon grass courts. This creative depiction was not merely decorative, but also served as a powerful symbol, blenduing protagonist Tashi Duncan’s personal and professional life as depicted in the film.
Complementing this spectacular gown, Zendaya’s accessories were equally notable. She chose diamond drop earrings that echoed the gown’s elegance, and her footwear was carefully selected to match the aesthetic and colour palette of her dress. Her hair was styled in a chic updo, while her makeup was kept dewy and minimalistic to not detract from the gown’s statement-making design. While the exact cost of the look remains undisclosed, it is easy to understand that it would be worth a hefty price tag considering the customisation and the brand.
4. Alaïa dress for the Dune: Part Two press tour in Paris
During the Paris photocall for Dune: Part Two, Zendaya showcased her fashion prowess in a stunning Alaïa white cut-out dress that captured the essence of the film’s futuristic aesthetic. A stunning piece from the brand’s Fall 2024 collection, the dress featured a dramatic swirl-shaped bodice that wrapped around her torso, defying traditional fashion norms with its avant-garde and sculptural design. This piece not only highlighted her svelte, model-esque figure but also mirrored the swirling sands of Dune’s desert landscapes, making it a thematic and visually captivating choice.
The dress’s asymmetry added to its intrigue, with a high-low skirt that gracefully fell to the floor, creating a mini-train that seemed to float as she moved. Zendaya completed this ethereal look with pointy Christian Louboutin white pumps, choosing to forego a necklace to keep the focus on the dress’s intricate neckline and her bare, hypnotic collarbones. Her hair was pulled back, emphasising the clean and minimalistic approach that allowed the dress to take centre stage.
5. Her Bulgari Jewels for the 2017 SAG Awards
At the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, the celebrated movie star found herself drenched in an exquisite array of Bulgari jewels valued at approximately USD 2.7 million. The set included two spectacular necklaces, worn with two separate designer ensembles, both of which have consistently shown up on Zendaya’s most expensive outfit lists ever since its debut.
Her first ensemble for the evening was a custom Valentino ballgown in a shade of delicate baby pink. This exquisite gown was adorned from the train to the bodice with layered roses of various sizes, creating a dramatic yet ethereal spring-inspired silhouette. The primary neckpiece, a masterful creation by Bulgari, was an assembly of massive gemstones such as tanzanite, morganite, and aquamarine. These were intricately set amidst a glittering array of spinels and diamonds, creating a vibrant mosaic of colours that shimmered with every camera flash. This particular piece, which was valued at around USD 2 million, was not merely an accessory; it was a clever way to create red carpet history.
Complementing this was a second, subtler, yet equally stunning choker valued at about USD 700,000, which the actress wore with her sleek, strapless Giorgio Armani Privé gown. Crafted from pink gold and set with mother-of-pearl elements, it served as the perfect understated contrast to the flamboyance of the main necklace.
Zendaya’s role as a Bulgari brand ambassador since 2020 has seen her styling some of the most extraordinary jewellery pieces crafted by the Italian luxury brand. Each piece she selects not only elevates her ensembles, but also mirrors her multidimensional connection with fashion. This showcase at the SAG Awards was a testament to Zendaya’s impeccable taste and her understanding of how finely crafted jewels can transform an undoubtedly beautiful gown into an unforgettably iconic look.
6. The “wet” look by Balmain at the Venice Film Festival
At the Venice Film Festival premiere of Dune in 2021, Zendaya captured the spotlight in a spectacular custom Balmain gown that combined haute couture craftsmanship and artistic innovation in an unforgettable way. Meticulously sculpted from caramel-coloured leather, the gown was designed to give a stunning wet-look appearance, clinging to Zendaya’s figure to highlight her silhouette dramatically.
The creation of this Balmain gown was a testament to the haute couture techniques and the meticulous attention to detail that the house is known for. The gown was crafted using an exact model of Zendaya’s bust, ensuring a flawless fit that looked both seamless and intuitive. This approach not only showcased the technical prowess of the atelier but also highlighted their commitment to creating pieces that perfectly complement the wearer’s form.
To complete her breathtaking ensemble, the actress wore matching Christian Louboutin “So Kate” caramel pumps, which harmonised beautifully with the tone and texture of her gown. However, it was her jewellery that truly set this look apart. Adorning her neck was the massive 93.83-carat Hypnotic Emerald necklace by Bulgari, which featured an intricate emerald-and-serpent design that took over 1,800 hours to craft. Additionally, her look was complemented by an exquisite emerald ring and diamond earrings, also by Bulgari, adding layers of luxury and sparkle to her already stunning appearance. This outfit is not just one of Zendaya’s most expensive; it’s a landmark in red-carpet fashion.
7. Vintage Mugler robot suit at the Dune: Part Two premiere
Known for her otherworldly fashion choices, the 24-year-old actress set the red carpet ablaze at the Dune: Part Two premiere in London with an exceptional piece of fashion history. A vintage Mugler robot suit from the fall/winter 1995 couture collection was brought out from the archives, aligning perfectly with the futuristic theme of the film. It wasn’t just a suit; it was a metallic armour set complete with silver panels and sheer plexiglass inserts, bringing a full metallic cyborg aesthetic to the paparazzi-filled event.
The Mugler suit is known for its intricate corset-style details that hugged the actress’s figure; it also included built-in gloves and silver heels to match, creating a seamless and otherworldly look. This suit was famously known as the “Machinenmensch,” or Machine Human, which was originally designed by Thierry Mugler in collaboration with artist Jean-Jacques Urcun. The design was inspired by the fictional character Futura from Thea von Harbou’s dystopian novel Metropolis, making it not only a garment but a piece of cinematic and literary homage.
Zendaya accessorised this set with a blinding blue diamond necklace from Bulgari, adding a touch of elegance to the otherwise metallic ensemble. This choice of jewellery was a masterstroke, providing a luxurious contrast to the industrial tones of the outfit and highlighting her ability to balance avant-garde fashion with classic glamour.
8. Viktor & Rolf pantsuit for the Glamour Woman of the Year Awards
At the Glamour Woman of the Year Awards 2017, Zendaya brought her A-game to the red carpet, wearing a hot-pink Viktor & Rolf jumpsuit and Messika jewels, cumulatively valued at around USD 43,628. This standout ensemble from the couturier’s Spring 2018 ready-to-wear collection featured a dramatic bow and crisp tailoring that emphasised her slender frame. Her outfit was accessorised minimally with Messika’s Move Ron necklace, allowing the monotone set to steal the limelight. She paired it with Le Silla heels, adding just the right touch to complete her look. Her hair was let free and her makeup was kept fresh and radiant with subtle pink hues to match her outfit.
(Main image: Chris Pizello/Getty Images; Featured image: Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
– What is Zendaya’s clothing line called?
The actress’s clothing line is called Daya by Zendaya, which was launched in 2016. However, in 2018, amidst a legal battle and customer outcry, Zendaya announced that she would be exiting the brand.
– Who is Zendaya’s personal designer?
While Zendaya has worked with several illustrious names in the fashion industry, she does not have a personal designer. Instead, she works with stylist Law Roach to create her red carpet and off-duty looks.
