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In the pantheon of modern style icons, few stars shine as brightly as Zendaya. While her fresh-faced beauty is undeniable— it’s Zendaya’s style— her fearless approach to fashion, orchestrated in partnership with legendary stylist Law Roach, that has revolutionized red carpet fashion. Their collaboration stands alongside historic fashion partnerships like Givenchy-Hepburn and Gaultier-Madonna, creating moments that transcend mere outfit choices to become cultural touchstones.
Here’s a curated journey through Zendaya’s most spectacular red carpet moments, complete with matching nail inspirations that capture each look’s essence.
1. Zendaya's Style is Red Hot
The Look: At the CFDA Awards, Zendaya’s style earned her the rightful place as Fashion Icon of the Year in a custom Vera Wang creation that was, quite literally, red hot. As the youngest recipient ever to receive this prestigious honor, she proved precisely why she deserved it.
The Nails: Golden Harvest – because when you’re accepting fashion’s highest honor, your nails should be equally award-worthy.
2. That time Zendaya Wore a Sari
The Look: For the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre opening in Mumbai, Zendaya delivered a masterclass in cultural appreciation with a custom Rahul Mishra ensemble. The modern interpretation of a sari silhouette, featuring a golden beaded top and intricately embroidered skirt, demonstrated her ability to honor traditional dress while maintaining her signature edge. Complementing her stunning outfit was her radiant complexion, which added to the overall elegance of her look.
The Nails: Heartquake – capturing the sari’s purple hues and sparkly motif.
3. The Infamous 'Wet' Look (Zendaya’s Drip)
The Look: For the “Dune” premiere, Zendaya channeled classical art in a custom Balmain gown that appeared to be sculpted from liquid metal. The nude-toned, figure-hugging masterpiece paid homage to Italian marble statuary while feeling thoroughly modern.
The Nails: Distraction – a nude finish with that perfect wet-look sheen.
4. Tennis, Anyone?
The Look: For “Challengers,” Zendaya served ace after ace in a custom Thom Browne creation that cleverly incorporated tennis motifs. The white dress featured preppy insignias, coquette bows, and even sequined tennis rackets, proving that themed dressing can be both playful and sophisticated.
The Nails: Genuine – a subtle French manicure that lets the dress do the talking.
5. Ray of Sunshine
The Look: At the Oscars, Zendaya lit up the red carpet in a canary yellow Valentino gown. The strapless creation, featuring a daring stomach cutout, exemplified her ability to make bold choices while maintaining elegant refinement. While Louboutin’s So Kate heels are a staple of Zendaya’s style, it would have been fun to see her mix it up with some sneakers for a more casual twist on her red carpet look.
The Nails: Hype – neon-tipped French manicure for that extra pop.
6. A Green Goddess
The Look: The 2019 Emmys saw Zendaya in an emerald green marvel with sheer corset detailing and strategic draping. Paired with flowing red waves, the look evoked comic book villain and Green Goddess, Poison Ivy, while remaining firmly in the realm of high fashion. To achieve such a stunning hairstyle, using high-quality hair products is essential for maintaining shine and health.
The Nails: Emeralds – deep green to complete that (regal) villainous vibe.
7. Zendaya's Style elevates Tennis
The Look: Another “Challengers” press tour triumph, this time in custom Jacquemus. The baby pink cutout gown with its polo shirt top and A-line skirt perfectly balanced athleticism with femininity.
The Nails: Pink Dream – because sometimes matching is exactly right.
8. Zendaya's Style or Cher 2.0?
The Look: In vintage Bob Mackie, Zendaya paid perfect homage to the icon she was presenting. The dress choice showed both her knowledge of fashion history and her ability to make archival pieces feel current.
The Nails: Playback – long squoval with gold glitter French tips.
9. Spider-Woman
The Look: In crystal-embellished Alexander McQueen, Zendaya proved suiting can be spectacular. The gray wool blazer with crystal raindrops and matching crystalline stockings winked at her Spider-Man connection while standing entirely on its own.
The Nails: Flawless – a taupe gray base with crystal-like shimmer.
10. Dune Darling
The Look: Truly a moment that transcended Zendaya’s style into another dimension was the vintage Thierry Mugler masterpiece from her “Dune” press tour. Featuring plexiglass cutouts and chrome framing— it was a perfect marriage of haute couture and science fiction. This 1995 creation, inspired by “Metropolis,” showcases Zendaya’s ability to make even the most avant-garde pieces feel wearable. Is there anything this woman can’t rock?
The Nails: Good Days or Dignity – holographic or metallic finishes to match the futuristic vibe.
While we can’t all be Zendaya (sigh), her red carpet journey offers endless inspiration for those looking to push their own style boundaries. Through her partnership with Law Roach, she’s shown us that fashion at its best is about more than clothes—it’s about storytelling, cultural conversation, and the confidence to turn every appearance into an unforgettable moment.
*[Editor’s Note: All nail looks referenced are from the ImPRESS collection.]*
