“Vintage! So adorable.” Fresh off the catwalks or older than Zendaya herself, the Emmy-winning actress continues to make a strong style statement in her red carpet sets. Filled with meaning, each of her archival fashion moments recalls an important moment in fashion history.
With help from longtime stylist Law Roach, the pair consistently pulls beautifully curated ensembles from the past. The “architect of the image” has always been a connoisseur of vintage, having already owned the Delightfully Vintage shops in his native Chicago and Harlem. With many Zendaya archival style moments having been pulled from Roach’s vast and abundant personal archives, including past works by Bob Mackie and Yves Saint Laurent, the two work together to create a considerable collection of Zendaya’s past looks. to be preserved for the future.
Either by paying tribute to the creator of the Ebony Fashion Show Eunice Johnson at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards or referencing an iconic Beyoncé moment from her 2003 BET performance at the 2021 BET Awards, Zendaya’s sartorial tributes still hold historical significance.
Right here, GRAZIA curated a list of Zendaya’s five best vintage fashion moments.
Valentino Spring / Summer 1992
For EuphoriaAt the season two red carpet premiere, Grande Dame Zendaya crushed the competition in a vintage Valentino Spring / Summer 1992 sculpted black and white graphic stripe strapless gown. With Law Roach’s unmistakable flair for just pulling them off. Good archival fashion pieces, Zendaya has proven to be an absolute sight. With her new auburn locks, the entire look seemed to be a tribute to 1990s model Linda Evangelista, who made her dress debut on the catwalk in 1991.
Roberto Cavalli Fall-Winter 2000
With many theories that Zendaya was attempting to emulate each of Spider-Man’s greatest villains over the course of the Spider-Man: No Path Home press tour, his incredibly avant-garde vintage piece for the Ballon d’Or ceremony would have portrayed Dr Octopus. Zendaya’s Roberto Cavalli Fall / Winter 2000 dress brought an artistic touch to the classic LBD column.
Versace spring / summer 2003
At the 21st annual BET Awards this summer, Zendaya paid tribute to none other than Queen Bey herself. Wearing a royal purple chiffon cutout gown with lime green and fuchsia accents from Donatella Versace’s Spring / Summer 2003 presentation, the dress was previously worn by Beyoncé in her 2003 Crazy in Love performance at the same awards ceremony in 2003.
Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture 1982
For GasolineAt the 2021 Black Women in Hollywood Awards, Zendaya and Law Roach rightly paid tribute to the famous businesswoman and creator of the Ebony Fashion Show, Eunice W. Johnson. Previously owned by the pioneer woman, Law Roach released this Yves Saint Laurent periwinkle silk puff-sleeve evening gown from the brand’s 1982 Haute Couture collection from her personal archives.
Versace Fall-Winter 1996
For the virtual ceremony of the Green Carpet Fashion Awards 2020 celebrating eco-responsible fashion, Zendaya wisely opted for a vintage Versace confection to defend sustainability. Appearing by hologram for the digital event, Zendaya received the Visionary Award in a Gianni Versace Fall / Winter 1996 beaded silk bodycon dress. Choosing a dress created in the year Zendaya was born, Donatella Versace was happy to open. the Versace archives for the young actress. With similar iterations adorned by 1990s models Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, and Anna Klevhag, Zendaya’s dress was as rich in fashion history as it was in luxurious glamor.
