The star of “Spider-Man” and “The Odyssey” has been in the spotlight for more than 15 years already, and has chosen some head-turning outfits along the way.
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Zendaya Coleman got used to having a camera pointed her way at an early age. She began her career as a child model, and her breakthrough TV role came at the age of 14 with the Disney Channel sitcom “Shake It Up.” Two years later, when this photo was taken, the teen star was already a pro.
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The annual Met Gala in New York counts among the world’s most important fashion events. After making her 2015 debut there, Zendaya quickly became a regular. Here she’s in a dress by designer Fausto Puglisi, topped off with crystal-encrusted sunglasses.
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The 2018 gala’s theme was “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.” It inspired her Joan of Arc look, complete with sequined Versace armor. She also donned one of the many wigs she’s worn over the years to give her look an instant transformation.
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This Tom Ford piece fit Zendaya like a glove. She wore it in 2020 to the 25th Critics’ Choice Awards in Santa Monica. Law Roach has been Zendaya’s stylist since her career began and has had a key role in establishing her as a style icon. Together, they’ve perfected the “method dressing” approach: selecting outfits to reflect a film’s themes and design.
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A prime example of method dressing: This nude-colored, semi-sheer silk Valentino dress looks as if it’s made completely of spider webs. She wore it, naturally, to the 2021 Los Angeles premiere of “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” Her co-star at her side, Tom Holland, has since become her husband.
Image: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Photo/picture alliance
By contrast, this 1995 Thierry Mugler cyborg piece was much heavier. The design pays tribute to Fritz Lang’s classic silent film “Metropolis.” Zendaya, here at the London premiere of “Dune: Part Two” with Timothee Chalamet, could only wear all that metal for a few minutes before it caused circulation problems. When it comes to method dressing, this one is hard to top.
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Zendaya was unable to accept her 2023 Golden Globe for best actress in a TV series on HBO’s “Euphoria” in person. When she was nominated again in 2025, Zendaya attended the ceremony in this piece by Louis Vuitton. Stylist Law Roach explained that her elegant gown paid tribute to the legendary Black women of showbiz, including Joyce Bryant and Dorothy Dandridge.
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These accessories weren’t as popular, though: During a London photo call for “The Odyssey” in July 2026, Zendaya made headlines when she wore there earrings — estimated to be around 3,000 years old. The jewelry dates to the first millennium B.C. and is attributed to the famous Ziwiye treasure from Iran. Critics argued that the pieces belonged in a museum, not on her ears.
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The next day, Zendaya landed even more headlines and criticism. For the world premiere of “The Odyssey” in London, she wore this Schiaparelli dress — which had just that morning been spotted on a Paris runway. Her stylist, Law Roach, had it flown in by private jet. Many people found the move inappropriate during a time of climate change and efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
Image: Steve Vas/Geisler-Fotopress/picture alliance
The actor presumably has little time to dwell on the controversies. Just this year she’s had five major film and TV releases to promote in a seemingly endless series of appearances — like this one in Los Angeles for “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” She’s announced that she’s planning a longer break once it’s done. Celebrity life can be exhausting — even at 30.
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