Zendaya is one of the most versatile performers in the entertainment industry, well known for her work as an actress and singer. She also has great success within the fashion industry, exploring her passion from the designer, model, and brand ambassador perspectives.
Zendaya, the Oakland born and raised actress, is one of the most successful entertainers in the world. Her most notable work as an actress includes the Disney Channel sitcom, Shake It Up (2010), Spiderman: Homecoming (2019), and Euphoria. In addition to acting, she is well known for her accomplishments in the fashion industry as a designer, model and brand ambassador for various collections and high end designers.
Some of Zendaya’s earliest work in the fashion industry were her shoe and clothing lines, both named Daya. She collaborated with her stylist, Law Roach on the shoe line that was released in 2015.
Inspired by her upbringing as a girl with hard working parents, she wanted to create a luxurious shoe collection for an affordable price that appeal to many fashion styles and gender identities. She shared during a Glamour interview, “I’d talk to people and be like, ‘How much would you spend for a good shoe?’ I just wanted to get their honest opinions. And, by the way, this line isn’t just for women, because boys rock heels too!”
Zendaya’s premiere clothing line launched in 2016 including athleisure essentials at an affordable price catering to her youthful fan base. The following year the star released the sequel collection for streetwear basics including pieces like flared-sleeve denim jackets, and glossy patent overcoats. Zendaya spoke about her collaboration with Law during an interview with Vogue where she wants “every person to be able to buy my stuff and feel like they’re getting a quality product that’s well thought out, designed, and worth their money.” Additionally, Zendaya co-designed Tommy x Zendaya, a clothing line with high end fashion designer, Tommy Hilfiger in 2019. The collection was 70s and 80s including daring fabrics & patterns, monochrome pieces, a pair of houndstooth pants and a blazer, long boots and a checked coat. The collection’s first fashion show was a lively disco-styled celebration and broadcasted live from the Theatre des Champs Elysees in Paris.
Zendaya’s authenticity is reflected through her style and the clothes she designs. She tries to avoid looking at fashion trends for inspiration and simply wears or designs whatever she feels like in the moment.
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Zendaya’s impressive modeling career kicked off after her first brand ambassador role for Madonna’s Material Girl 2015 Spring collection. The authenticity and confidence she emanates made Zendaya the perfect model for this youthful campaign. During a press release for the campaign, Madonna and her daughter Lourdes Leon shared, “Zendaya personifies the Material Girl, she loves to have fun and is constantly experimenting with trends… her daring personal style and high energy made her the perfect face for our new collection.” From this campaign, the trajectory of Zendaya’s modeling career swiftly advanced allowing her to be recognized by high end fashion brands including, Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, Louis Vuittion, Bulgari and Lancôme.
Zendaya continued her journey in the fashion industry when she modeled in Dolce & Gabbana’s spring/summer 2017 #DGMillenials campaign. This Italian campaign features vespas, pasta and shops with a handful of models alongside Zendaya including Thylane Blondeau and Sonia Ben Ammar as they walk the streets of Southern Italy. Zendaya dances and laughs alongside the other models wearing iconic collection styles like embellished denim, tops with butterfly sleeves, layered skirts and ‘70s-inspired shades.
Zendaya started a relationship with Lancôme for their 2019 campaign for the Idôle perfume. She continues to be given recognition for her youthfulness and unique approach to beauty which fit seamlessly with this campaign’s message for women’s empowerment. This is the third edition of the Idôle perfume collection and the campaign is represented by a collective of women preaching, “Together we are unstoppable, together are all Idôles.” The star also represented Lancôme’s 2023 La Vie est Belle campaign which continues to celebrate feminism as well as happiness. Zendaya has enjoyed being a Lancôme ambassador as she states during an exclusive Essence interview, “I appreciate the spirit of collaboration and how we’re always trying new things. I like that in my campaigns, we’ve been able to be a little experimental while still maintaining the heritage of the brand.”
In 2020, Zendaya became a Valentino brand ambassador as creative director, Pierpaolo Piccioli believed her to be a “natural representative of his contemporary concept of romanticism.” The high-end brand admired Zendaya’s beauty, talent, and most notably her compassion for others. The star had encouraged her fans to vote in the 2020 election, stood up against systemic racism and police brutality, and is an advocate for the Black Lives Matter Movement. Piccioli recognized Zendaya as a “powerful and fierce young woman that uses her talent and her work to express herself, her values and her generation as well.”
Louis Vuitton sought after Zendaya to be a brand ambassador in 2023 for their Capucine handbags. The high-end fashion brand idolizes Zendaya for her innovative sense of style specifically recognizing her 2015 Oscars look where she had dreadlocks and wore a timeless white gown, her 2020 Critic’s Choice Awards hot-pink Tom Ford breastplate as well as her Joan of Arc-inspired 2018 Met Gala look. Zendaya has been a Louis Vuitton lover since she was a child, making her all the more excited to represent the brand’s Parisian chic handbag collection.
It doesn’t just stop there, Zendaya’s ever-growing modeling resume also includes her feature in Bulgari’s 2023 campaign film, “Unexpected Wonders”. Zendaya appeared in the short film alongside actress Anne Hathaway where the two lounge around an Italian villa wearing exquisite jewelry. Zendaya wore a sapphire necklace from the B.zero1 and BB collection and shared, “I feel incredibly grateful to be here, and today I get to wear a sapphire, which is my birthstone, so that is very special.”
Zendaya’s first hand experience through her various projects as a fashion designer, model and brand ambassador provide her with a multi-faceted perspective for fashion. Especially this experience coming from mostly high-end brands gives her an even further advantage as she continues to progress through her fashion career.
