With her latest red carpet run, Zendaya shows no signs of stopping the thematic press tour dressing. The 27-year-old actor has leant into her new film, Challengers', plot line by choosing ensembles that take on the tennis mood with ace-effect.
It mirrors not only the well publicised approach that Margot Robbie and her stylist Andrew Mukamal took for her Barbie promo tour, but also Zendaya and Law Roach's very own optioning for Dune: Part Two promo earlier this year. But where that was all dystopian and sci-fi leaning — thanks to vintage robotic vintage Mugler or conceptual Alaïa — this latest take courts a sportier mood instead.
It makes sense. The movie follows the fictional Tashi Duncan, played by Zendaya, as she moves from Grand Slam champion to coach, setting up a match between her husband (Mike Faist) and former lover (Josh O'Connor). But that's not all. The costumes have been dreamt up by Jonathan Anderson, the favoured Northern Irish fashion designer and long-time creative director of Loewe.
Let's take a look at her ace tour 'fits...
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Zendaya in custom Jacquemus at Los Angeles photocall, April 20 2024
Keeping this sporty and cute, Zendaya stepped into a baby pink cutout gown by Jacquemus. The custom-made dress featured a polo shirt top and A-line skirt.
Zendaya in Carolina Herrera, paying homage to the Williams sisters, April 18 2024
Zendaya and Law Roach paid homage to Venus and Serena Williams with their latest look.
Referencing a 1998 Vogue photoshoot by Annie Leibovitz of the legendary tennis players, Zendaya wore a white and black, striped gown by Carolina Herrera, with her hair in white braids.
Zendaya in custom 16Arlington, filming for Italian TV show Che Tempo Che Fa, April 14 2024
While in Italy, Zendaya and her Challengers co-stars visited the Che Tempo Che Fa talkshow. For filming, Zendaya wore her classic white pumps, this time with a custom-made dress from London-based brand 16Arlington. Crafted with a stroke of genius, the mini was made from terry cloth, otherwise known as towelling.
Zendaya in vintage Ralph Lauren, Milan photocall, April 14 2024
Zendaya wore a piece of fashion history for the Milan photocall of her new film. The 27-year-old chose a white Ralph Lauren mini dress from the brand's AW92 collection. The dress, which features a halterneck, was first worn by Cindy Crawford on the runway.
Zendaya in custom On, Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, April 13 2024
On the 7th day of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters Zendaya paid homage to history-making tennis player Althea Gibson in a recreation of her tennis whites by On.
Zendaya in Brunello Cucinelli, Challengers Monte Carlo photocall, April 13 2024
Ahead of watching the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters Zendaya attended a Challengers photocall in a Brunello Cucinelli set from the AW24 collection, paired with Bulgari jewellery.
Zendaya in vintage Vivienne Westwood, London photocall, April 11 2024
Paying homage to London and showing her appreciation of vintage, Zendaya attended the London photocall for Challengers in a Vivienne Westwood skirt suit from the SS94 'Café Society' collection. She paired the striped look with Bulgari jewellery.
Zendaya in custom Thom Browne, London premiere for Challengers, April 11 2024
For the London premiere of the sure to be blockbuster film, Zendaya and Roach chose a tennis racket-emblazoned, sequin maxi dress. Featuring a halterneck, pleated skirt and deep thigh slit, the Californian continued to dress the part.
Zendaya paired the maxi dress with a sky-high plaited ponytail, complete with white bow, a bold, red lip and white gold and diamond jewellery from Bulgari.
Zendaya in custom Loewe, Rome photocall for Challengers, April 8 2024
For her first stop in Italy the former Disney star worked with Loewe's Anderson once more, in a custom-made, drop-waist, glittery tennis-style dress. Leaning on the brand's surrealism, the mini was paired with heels that came complete with actual Loewe-emblazoned tennis balls.
She accessorised the ensemble with Bulgari jewellery.
Zendaya in Louis Vuitton, French premiere of Challengers, April 6 2024
For the Paris premiere of her new film, Challengers, the actor wore a strapless white gown by Louis Vuitton. The pristine piece featured a structured bodice and semi-sheer skirt with a flowing train, finished with an asymmetrical belt.
But, there was also an unexpected accessory on the red carpet – a giant croissant. The outsized creation was edible, and handed to Zendaya by a fan. The actor looked equal parts confused and delighted by the surprise appearance, striking a pose with the flaky pastry (here's hoping none of it got on that gown). Fendi Baguette, eat your heart out.
Zendaya in vintage Louis Vuitton, April 6 2024
For some photocalls in Paris, Zendaya and her stylist, Roach, looked to Louis Vuitton's archive, namely Marc Jabobc' tenure at the French fashion house, twice.
Firstly, Zendaya wore a checkered green and white coat mini dress from the SS13 collection pairing it with white pumps and a retro wide headband. She then stepped into a lime green suit set from the SS99 collection, this time with silver platforms and a top-handle bag.
Zendaya in Lacoste, Sydney, March 2024
During her time in Sydney to promote Challengers, the actor and her stylist Law Roach shared several teasers of her latest tennis-inspired ensemble.
Posting a video to her Instagram Stories, Zendaya can be seen posing on a balcony overlooking the Sydney Opera house dressed in a custom Lacoste sports bra and brief set, layered with a netted white skirt and styled with white heels.
'When your heel keeps getting caught in your net lol,' the actor captioned the video.
Roach posted close up shots of the look and credited Bulgari (note the silver jewellery) and Lacoste's creative design director Pelagia Kolotouros for helping pull thematic look together.
Who knew playing tennis could look so chic?
Zendaya in Loewe, Australian premiere of Challengers, March 26 2024
![sydney, australia march 26 zendaya attends the australian premiere of challengers at the state theatre on march 26, 2024 in sydney, australia photo by james gourleygetty images](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/zendaya-challengers-red-carpet-6602b1a056b0f.jpg?crop=0.9995119570522205xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* ""Challengers" Australian Premiere - Arrivals")
Looking to the Spanish house's often abstract design signature, Anderson opted to take on the classic tennis player silhouette and set it across a Wimbledon grass green gown that came complete with a plunging neckline and a dramatic side split. Zendaya and Roach then married her look's details together by wearing a matching shoe and underlining her eye with the same green hue liner. On the red carpet, Faist and O'Connor were also dressed in Loewe, bookending Zendaya in louche tailoring, with O'Connor's purple trainers making a subtle nod to tennis style.
![sydney, australia march 26 mike faist, zendaya and josh oconnor attend the australian premiere of challengers at the state theatre on march 26, 2024 in sydney, australia photo by don arnoldwireimage photo by don arnoldwireimage](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/gettyimages-2114191611-6602adf9498e4.jpg?resize=980:* ""Challengers" Australian Premiere - Arrivals")
Zendaya's gown marks the third look in a recent run of tennis-leaning looks that hint a roll call is to follow when the premiere promo leaves Australia and heads across the globe. What to expect? We're thinking it's going to be time to call 'love' on pleated skirts, polo shirts and, if there's more to come from Anderson creating, a more abstract look to obvious tennis tropes. Game. Set. Match.
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