There are certain actresses who eventually become as celebrated for their style as they are their acting—think Tilda Swinton, Halle Berry, and Nicole Kidman. These days, Zendaya is quickly joining that elite group. Since landing her breakout role on Disney Channel’s Shake It Up in 2009, Zendaya has proven herself a major triple threat as an actress, singer, and dancer. Her mastery extends to the red carpet as well—where, with the aid of stylist Law Roach, she shows off countless daring looks at every turn.
Zendaya is truly a fashion chameleon, effortlessly transforming from a romantic, fairy-tale princess look to an edgy, menswear-inspired tuxedo with equal aplomb. Among her most memorable ensembles: a voluminous high-low Fausto Puglisi dress at the 2015 Met Gala, a goddess-like Vivienne Westwood gown paired with flowing locs at the 2015 Academy Awards, a metallic Tom Ford breastplate in 2020, and for the Dune: Part Two premiere in 2024, the archival Mugler robot suit heard ‘round the world. Here, a look at Zendaya’s best red carpet looks—from her years as a Disney star until now.
2024: The Gotham Awards
The actress opted for a simple all-white design at the 2024 Gotham Awards.
2024: Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony
Giving Cher in vintage Bob Mackie.
2024: Met Gala
Zendaya brought the drama to the 2024 Met Gala in this custom Margiela by John Galliano number.
2024: Challengers London Premiere
2024: Challengers Australia Premiere
2024: Dune: Part Two Seoul Premiere
It’s one thing pull pieces from Alexander McQueen eponymous label and an entirely different beast to access looks from the late designer’s short stint at Givenchy. Still, Zendaya did just that during the Dune: Part Two Premiere in Seoul with a circuited skirt set from the French brand’s fall 1999 collection.
2024: Dune: Part Two World Premiere
The actress turned heads at the Dune: Part Two world premiere with this futuristic cyborg suit from Thierry Mugler’s fall 1995 collection.
2023: CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Awards
Archival fashion is a mainstay of Zendaya’s red carpet style. For a 2023 CinemaCon event, the star slipped into a vintage Versace stunner.
2023: SAG Awards
For the 2023 SAG Awards in Los Angeles, the actress looked picturesque in a blush pink floral gown from Valentino.
2023: NAACP Image Awards
After a five month hiatus, Zendaya made a triumphant return to the red carpet at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards in this archival Versace number from the brand’s spring 2002 couture collection.
2022: Emmy Awards
The actress was serving full-on Hollywood glam in this voluminous Valentino gown for the 2022 Emmy Awards.
2021: Venice Film Festival
Zendaya shut down the red carpet during the premiere of Dune at the Venice International Film Festival in a custom Balmain gown that at first looked like it may have been dripping wet jersey. Instead, the gown was actually crafted specifically for the star out of leather.
2021: Space Jam: A New Legacy Premiere
Zendaya wore Moschino resort 2022 for the premiere of the Space Jam reboot—the colors recall the film’s new Tune Squad basketball uniforms.
2021: BET Awards
Zendaya, pictured here with Lil’ Kim, wore a dress paying homage to Beyoncé’s 2003 performance of “Crazy in Love” during the 2021 BET Awards.
2021: Academy Awards
Zendaya made the Oscars red carpet her own in this yellow cutout Valentino dress. The star later confirmed she was indeed channeling Cher.
2020: Critics’ Choice Awards
Gwyneth Paltrow wore this Tom Ford breastplate on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar just a few days before Zendaya appeared on the Critics’ Choice Awards carpet in it. Though, Zendaya’s was custom-made for her.
2019: Emmy Awards
Channeling Poison Ivy at the Emmys in a custom Vera Wang dress with Cartier jewelry.
2019: Fashion Media Awards
A vintage velvet look punctuated by polka dots.
2019: Spider-Man: Far From Home Premiere
The Armani Privé gown Zendaya wore to the Far From Home Los Angeles premiere was inspired by Spider-Man himself.
2019: Euphoria Premiere
Zendaya’s white tube dress was outfitted with 3-D texture at the premiere of Euphoria.
2019: Met Gala
Zendaya cosplayed as Cinderella with the help of her stylist Law Roach for the 2019 Met Gala—even going so far as to leave a single glass slipper on the steps of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The light-up dress was designed by Tommy Hilfiger.
2018: British GQ Men of the Year Awards
Zendaya donned a jaw-dropping, structural gown by Ralph & Russo in London.
2018: Met Gala
The actress channeled Joan of Arc in Atelier Versace. The theme this year was “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination.”
2018: Academy Awards
Wearing show-stopping Giambattista Valli.
2017: British Fashion Awards
The actress fully leaned into the star print trend of 2017.
2017: Teen Choice Awards
We love a PJ set on the red (er, blue) carpet.
2017: Spider-Man: Homecoming Premiere
If there were any questions of Zendaya’s status as a Hollywood style icon, this draped gown custom made by Ralph & Russo has squashed them.
2017: Spider-Man: Homecoming Madrid Event
Zendaya opted for summery glamour for an event at the Villa Magna Hotel in Madrid.
2017: Met Gala
We really have to hand it to Zendaya—she always knows how to match a standout hairstyle perfectly to her outfit.
2017: CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund
Zendaya wore a navy blue off-the-shoulder Michael Kors Collection gown with white floral details.
2016: Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards
Zendaya looked every bit the flapper in a cropped bob, tea-length dress, and black ribbon worn as a choker.
2016: GLAAD Media Awards
Hitting her angles at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
2016: Billboard Music Awards
A daytime event in Los Angeles called for a mini crop top in blush; the mermaid tail skirt brings the glam.
2016: Met Gala
Michael Kors and a bowl cut. Enough said.
2016: Grammy Awards
Could Zendaya’s blonde mullet and slim, tailored suit have been inspired by David Bowie’s Thin White Duke character?
2016: Golden Globes
The actress went for a tiered, plunging crimson gown by Marchesa for her 2016 Golden Globes appearance.
2015: Star Wars: The Force Awakens World Premiere
The picture of chic in a dove grey turtleneck with a rhinestone overlay skirt.
2014: Blended Premiere
Zendaya’s height allows her to wear long, baggy shorts—which she paired here with a crop top and a shrunken jacket.
2015: Paris Fashion Week
The actress went avant-garde in a deconstructed, oversize sweater, sheer paneled skirt, and pointed-toe heels.
2015: Met Gala
Zendaya turned heads at the Costume Institute’s annual benefit in Fausto Puglisi.
2015: Academy Awards
Zendaya looked unbelievably chic at the 2015 Oscars, wearing Vivienne Westwood.
2015: Grammy Awards
The 1970s made a comeback at the 2015 Grammys in the form of Zendaya rocking a teeny pixie cut and a striped Vivienne Westwood gown.
2014: MTV Movie Awards
A rare floral dress makes an appearance.
2014: Grammy Awards
Zendaya knows the silhouettes that work best on her: sheer, floor-grazing skirts with a slit, and a pair of pumps.
2014: American Music Awards
Zendaya does her spin on a mermaid-inspired outfit: flowing curls, golden trench with matching slacks, and an aquamarine bandeau.
2014: BET Awards
Zendaya makes a glam platform and slit maxi skirt more casual with a baseball cap, hoops, and a varsity jacket.
2014: Teen Choice Awards
A hot pink bodycon moment.
2013: American Music Awards
Zendaya experimented with super-long locks and a flowing asymmetrical top that accented her tall, slender figure.
2013: Kids’ Choice Awards
The actress is seen here wearing a number of trends from the mid aughts: strappy platform sandals, an embellished Peter Pan collar, and a statement gold watch.
2012: Anniversary American Music
Zendaya opted for a sweet 1950s-inspired swing skirt and voluminous bob for the American Music Awards red carpet.
2012: Radio Disney Event
At the age of 16, Zendaya had already been on the Disney television show Shake It Up for two years, released her single “Swag It Out” and modeled in multiple ad campaigns (including one alongside fellow Disney star Selena Gomez for Sears). But as a young teen, her style sense was just beginning to blossom.