Jul 18, 2026 9:29pm IST
‘The Odyssey’ to ‘Dune’: Zendaya’s promotional tours as her Movies’ muse
Most celebrities simply wear beautiful outfits on the red carpet to promote their films, while others like Zendaya make the red carpet part of the movie itself. She becomes the film’s muse on promotional tours. She turns the film's character, theme and visual language into unforgettable fashion moments, working alongside her longtime stylist Law Roach.
From futuristic metallic ensembles for “Dune,” to vintage tennis-inspired looks for “Challengers,” and Goddess-like ensembles for “The Odyssey,” where she plays Athena, every press tour is an extension of the story on screen.
She has mastered Method Dressing - a fashion approach in which an actor's wardrobe syncs with that of her characters'. Inspired by the concept of method acting, it uses clothing to keep the narrative alive, off-screen.
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Channeling Athena for ‘The Odyssey’
Zendaya's most striking selection of method dressing was for “The Odyssey,” tour, in which she portrayed the Greek goddess Athena. Ignoring obvious mythological references, she went for modern interpretations of Grecian couture.
For one appearance, she wore a dramatic Matières Fécales gown featuring angelic wings and a feather-inspired train, complemented by 30-carat Chopard jewelry.
For the London premiere, Law Roach chose a Schiaparelli ombré gown with shimmering beaded fringe and a sculptural breastplate. There was a nod to classical armour while remaining unmistakably haute couture. It was flown in from Paris, on a private jet.
In Paris, Zendaya donned an archival 1997 Givenchy white mini-dress with a striking golden-brown lace mask, designed by Alexander McQueen. She continued the theme in a metallic high-slit Jitrois dress styled with Christian Louboutin pumps and voluminous curls. Then arrived at the Paris premiere in a custom Louis Vuitton gown with delicate lace embellishments, flowing sleeves and a dramatic thigh-high slit that captured Athena's spirit.
Bridal Story for ‘The Drama’
Zendaya approached the promotional tour for “The Drama” (2026), co-starring Robert Pattinson, with an entirely different concept. Since the film centers around a couple whose relationship unravels before marriage, she based her wardrobe on the classic bridal rhyme: "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue."
For "something old," she revisited the white satin Vivienne Westwood gown she originally wore to her first Oscars in 2015, giving the iconic dress a second life over a decade later.
Her "something new" arrived in the form of a custom Louis Vuitton creation at the Paris premiere. For "something borrowed," she wore a black silk Giorgio Armani Privé gown previously worn by Cate Blanchett. Finally, "something blue" was interpreted through a dramatic Schiaparelli couture gown covered in black-and-electric-blue ombré feathers, completing one of the year's most cleverly constructed fashion narratives.
Weaving Fashion into Spider-Man
Zendaya has also referenced the Spider-Man franchise without resorting to literal superhero costumes. During the promotion of “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” she demonstrated how subtle details can celebrate a film's identity.
At the Paris premiere, she wore a vintage Spider-Man T-shirt, offering a playful nod to the beloved superhero. Law Roach also sourced a breathtaking Giorgio Armani Spring/Summer 1990 archival gown constructed entirely from an intricate network of hand-woven glass beads. The whisper-thin lattice resembled a shimmering spiderweb, elegantly honoring Spider-Man's iconic imagery without featuring a single spider.
For the London premiere, Zendaya stepped out in a rare vintage gown from John Galliano's legendary Spring/Summer 1997 "Pirate" collection. Metallic sequins formed an elaborate spiderweb cascading dramatically across the open back.
The Tenniscore Era of ‘Challengers’
Zendaya's method dressing reached another high during the promotional campaign for “Challengers” (2024), the romantic sports drama co-starring Mike Faist and Josh O'Connor. Every appearance cleverly referenced tennis while remaining fashion-friendly.
Her wardrobe ranged from a custom Jacquemus ballet-pink dress to a vintage Ralph Lauren Spring/Summer 1992 double-breasted blazer. One standout look was a black-and-white Carolina Herrera ball gown inspired by Annie Leibovitz's famous 1998 portrait of tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams.
She also flaunted country-club elegance in Milan in a halter-neck dress, while London's press tour featured a striped vintage dress from Café Society's Spring/Summer 1994 collection paired with a blonde fringe makeover.
Perhaps the cleverest look of all came in a custom Loewe tennis dress paired with matching heels featuring miniature tennis balls balanced on their pointed heels. At the Australian premiere, she wore a sparkling green gown embroidered with a tennis player and ball motif.
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The Futuristic World of ‘Dune: Part Two’
Her unforgettable London premiere appearance for “Dune: Part Two” (2024) featured Thierry Mugler's iconic 1995 "Cyborg" haute couture suit. It was a silver metallic armor with transparent Perspex panels that captured the futuristic universe of Denis Villeneuve's epic. It became one of the most iconic red-carpet looks of the decade.
She later went for Chani's desert aesthetic in a custom gold Louis Vuitton crop top and matching skirt in Seoul and Paris, while a flowing Stéphane Rolland gown with metallic detailing evoked the ethereal grandeur of Arrakis. Other standout moments included Alaïa's gravity-defying spiral dress and a structured vintage Givenchy Fall/Winter 1999 skirt suit.
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