When the first part of Dune was released in 2021, sci-fi buffs were hardly the only ones rippling with excitement. Fashion fiends too, were rewarded in kind—in most part due to the sheer fact that the blockbuster’s starry duo were also some of the industry’s most-favoured red carpet faces. Read: Timotheé Chalamet and Zendaya. To recall that specific era would be to remember one of Zendaya’s most iconic red carpet appearances thus far. When she sauntered down the Venice Film Festival carpet in that ‘wet’ custom caramel-leather Balmain look, reminiscent of her role as Chani, her character in the epic screen adaptation.
Alas, many who have watched the first iteration will know: the set-up for Frank Herbert’s world was immense, and Zendaya’s eventual screen time was far from what many had expected. Henceforth, as the release of Dune: Part Two sits on the near horizon—the anticipation for Chani’s part to play in the saga of Paul Atreides could not have been higher. And a simple glean of how the Dune: Part Two press tour has been playing out thus far is enough to tell us that the leading actress herself knows it too. For she’s come swinging back in action, in no less than her sartorial best.
With its release delayed due to the SAG-AFTRA strikes last year, many wondered if this particular press tour would still be en route. But with many thanks owed to the industry greats, it’s finally arrived at its zenith—and the film’s motley crew consisting of Chalamet, Florence Pugh, Austin Butler and Zendaya have already taken the world by storm. This time around? All eyes have been trained on the latter who’s been flirting in space with her irresistibly swoon-worthy outfits, each one recalling the warrior-like gusto of her screen character. Think chic, ruffed-up leathers as she rocked up to the set for Jimmy Kimmel Live or that twisty-turvy, apocalyptic gown right off Torishéju’s spring/summer 2024 debut collection at the film premiere in Mexico City. Not to mention, the recent ode to Tina Turner’s iconic turn in another sci-fi classic entirely. Whilst seemingly effortless, her outfits have no doubt been magically assembled by stylist Law Roach, who’s been working exclusively with the actress since his publicly-announced retirement.
Spy all of the phenomenal looks from Zendaya this Dune: Part Two press tour so far—and watch this space for more to come from the undeniable style star of this red carpet season.
1 / 12
Zendaya in Schiaparelli
With news of Dune:Part Two back on track for a 2024 release, the cast hit up 2023’s year-end Comic Con in Brazil. For this early appearance, Zendaya started off with a direct reference to the scorching desert of Arrakis: appearing in a ruched Schiaparelli skirt conjured up with a three-dimensional lobster in the front.
2 / 12
Zendaya in The Attico
It was full on black at Jimmy Kimmel Live last weekend—in a chic leather ensemble from The Attico.
3 / 12
Zendaya in Torishéju
Here’s how to make an entrance. The silver screen star was adorned in a deconstructed garment of ties and wraps from Torishéju’s collection that debuted last spring/summer 2024 season, one that swung and swished with movement as Zendaya walked up on stage at the Mexico City premiere. Apocalyptic, otherworldly and a thunderous way to start the tour? We think yes.
4 / 12
Zendaya in Vivienne Westwood by Andreas Kronthaler
As far as sci-fi flicks go, there’s long been a reckoning for powerful female characters, which Zendaya just might share with the character she attempted to emulate here. As styled by Roach, the pair have hinted that this strongly-shouldered look—courtesy of Vivienne Westwood by Andreas Kronthaler—recalls to mind Aunty Entity from Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985), who was played by the inimitable late Tina Turner.
5 / 12
Zendaya in Bottega Veneta
The fan event in Mexico City brought out Zendaya in a custom chocolate-brown Bottega Veneta look—where leathers were sliced and diced to channel the brooding, dangerous environment of the highly-awaited epic.
6 / 12
Zendaya in Alaïa
Right off the Paris couture runway comes this coiling Alaïa gown, designed to spiral down the body line in one sweeping motion—and of course Zendaya wore it first (and probably best) at the afternoon photo call in Paris.
7 / 12
Zendaya in custom Louis Vuitton
Consider the grandeur of a desert princess achieved in this custom Louis Vuitton two-piece ensemble worn at the Paris premiere. Notably, that serpent set of Bvlgari jewellery is giving the look a magnificent assist.
8 / 12
Zendaya in Roksanda
In a couple of days, you’ll spot the plum suit Zendaya donned at the Dune photo call in London going down the runway at Roksanda’s fall/winter 2024 show. Yes, the actor pulled a pre-runway moment in this suit: adopting the skirt-over-pants look that sumptuously ends in a pool around her Louboutin heels.
9 / 12
Zendaya in archival Mugler
Zendaya stepping out in this iconic robot suit from Thierry Mugler’s fall/winter 1995 couture collection was not on our bingo cards, but here we are. Back to the future, as they say.
10 / 12
Zendaya and Timothée Chalamet in Juun.J
Proving they’re the ultimate on-screen duo, Zendaya and her co-star Chalamet rocked up to the Seoul premiere in matching suits from South Korean designer Juun.J.
11 / 12
Zendaya in archival Givenchy
Zendaya rewired our brains with this archival Givenchy cyborg circuit look—designed by Alexander McQueen in 1999—a prime match to her Christian Louboutin pumps, scarlet-lined peepers and sleek chignon.
12 / 12
Zendaya in Stéphane Rolland
Descending onto the carpet at the New York premiere, Zendaya sauntered in wearing a look out of Stephane Rolland’s spring/summer 2024 couture collection—revealing nothing but a cheeky sliver of skin down from her torso to her legs.
