Zendaya's Fashion Transformation: Always Bold, Never Boring
With a major award and a new Valentino partnership, Zendaya's status as a veritable fashion icon is undeniable – and it's been this way for a while. The multi-hyphenate has us accustomed to daringly experimental looks that she always seems to somehow look killer in — no matter how elaborate or over-the-top they may be. From the array of hairstyles she's tried out over the last few years to her well-documented penchant for epic suits, there's nothing Z can't pull off.
And the best part? That's how her sartorial game has always been. Even as a young Disney star, way before Malcolm & Marie and Euphoria, the performer took major fashion risks and was never a snooze to look at on the red carpet. Don't believe us? Click through the photos and watch Zendaya's complete style evolution.
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For the 2022 Time 100 Gala, Zendaya and Law Roach went into the archives of Bob Mackie and chose this stunning gown from 1998 that features alternating hues of blue. The designer is known for dressing pop culture icons like Cher, who Zendaya previously channeled for a red carpet look.
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March 2022
Zendaya in a suit will forever be superior. For the Vanity Fair Oscars after party, she opted for this perfectly fitted black suit from Sportmax, paired with a leather tie and a plum shirt. Of course, she was styled by Law Roach, who walked just behind her for the event.
(Also, ICYMI: Zendaya did her own makeup for all the events of Oscars weekend!)
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March 2022
On the red carpet, Zendaya looked stunning wearing this custom Valentino Haute Couture ensemble, complete with a perfectly matching manicure. Truly the best of both worlds.
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On Instagram, Law Roach also showed us one of Z's pre-Oscars ‘fits: this stunning Oscar de la Renta lace gown from the house’s fall 2022 collection. For now, this look lives only on Law's IG but we are craving more.
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March 2022
During Paris Fashion Week, Zendaya attended the Valentino Womenswear FW22 show and, of course, looked stunning while doing so. The star wore her hair straight and sported a smokey, intense cat-eye that accentuated her piercing gaze. However, it was her ‘fir that stole the show. The star took color matching to the next level with a hot pink monochrome look that included one of her trademark power suits and towering platform pumps. She also wore a matching overcoat before arriving at the show.
Once inside, Z literally blended in with the venue, from the background at the arrivals photocall to the actual show's seats and catwalk. The very definition of chameleonic!
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For the season 2 premiere of Euphoria, Zendaya chose a vintage 1992 Valentino dress previously worn on the runway by supermodel Linda Evangelista. Zendaya and her longtime stylist Law Roach kept jewelry simple, opting for just a pair of drop earrings. Z also put her iconic auburn hair in an updo as the final touch to a classic chic look.
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December 2021
The Spider-Man: No Way Home press junket is the gift that keeps on giving. Not only are we getting some of the cutest interactions of the year from the costars, but we also got to witness the return of the Zendaya power suit. Sure, it never truly went away, but this pink moment deserves a spotlight on its own. More on her outfit below…
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December 2021
Of course, Z wore another look straight from the runway to promote the movie in NYC. The star sported a neon pink double-breasted suit and tailored pants from Alexander McQueen's Spring 2022 ready-to-wear collection. She, of course, paired the eye-catching ensemble with some black Louboutin Pigalles.
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December 2021
Zendaya and Tom Holland left everyone speechless attending a photocall for "Spider-Man: No Way Home" in London. Taking to the red carpet together, Tom rocked a Celine ensemble that was both classic and modern. Z, on the other hand, rocked Alexander McQueen from head to toe and made sure her ‘fit included multiple nods to the film. From her Jacob & Co. earrings to her boots, Zendaya’s outfit was designed to resemble spider webs in reference to the superhero Tom portrays. She was quite literally dripping. Though the ensemble itself had no arachnid references, pairing it with the earrings made all the difference. They were both styled by Law Roach.
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While promoting the film in the U.K., Zendaya and Tom also stopped by The Graham Norton Show and the star was dressed to the nines for the occasion. She rocked a lavender shirt that perfectly matched her eyeshadow and a stunning emerald green two-piece suit. As she teased on her IG stories, the full Valentino ensemble was a nod to another iconic Spider-Man character: the Green Goblin.
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November 2021
Her outfit for the Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris also included a reference to another villain from the universe: Dr. Octopus. (More on that here!)
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Zendaya looked stunning in this custom Vera Wang ensemble that officially crowned her as a certified fashion icon. The star picked up the converted title at the 2021 CFDA Awards.
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October 2021
Zendaya arrived at the UK premiere of Dune in this stunning gown from Rick Owens's Fall 2021 ready-to-wear collection — which looked as breathtaking from the back…
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October 2021
…as it did from the front.
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October 2021
No thoughts — just Zendaya wearing a custom heart dress by Nensi Dojaka for the Dune premiere afterparty in London.
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October 2021
Another look fresh off the runway, for a post-screening cocktail reception for Dune in London, Zendaya donned this ensemble from Peter Do's Spring 2022 ready-to-wear collection.
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October 2021
When in London, you wear Vivienne Westwood — or at least that what Z says.
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Styled by Law Roach, Zendaya posed in Paris wearing a very Janet Jackson-esque “Rhythm Nation”-style black tunic top and thigh-high leather boots from the Bottega Veneta Fall 2021 Ready-to-Wear collection. Wearing her hair in cornrows, she kept the look simple and impactful with minimal accessories, adding only a belt, a silver ring, and smoky grey Thomas Tait archive sunglasses.
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Also in Paris, Zendaya brought yet another major look to the red carpet rocking a jaw-droppingly stunning burgundy two-piece set from Alaïa. The long-sleeved top fitted her perfectly and left her back completely bare, while the feathered fishtail skirt moved dramatically alongside Z with every step. We also love the big gold hoops and gold necklace, which added a touch of ‘70s glam but didn’t compete with the statement-making outfit.
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And, yes, in case you were wondering, the cropped top was as stunning from the back as it was from the front.
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To celebrate her 25th birthday with Valentino's creative director, Pier Paolo Piccioli, in Venice, Zendaya wore this chocolate brown organza and moiré faille puffed dress from maison's “Des Ateliers” haute couture collection.
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Zendaya played with masculine-meets-feminine details to kick off the Dune promotions on September 3 at the 78th Venice International Film Festival. The star wore an oversized tuxedo jacket over a low-cut white silk gown with a pop of pink near the waistline, also from the Valentino “Des Ateliers” collection. She wore the undone, model-off-duty look with a pair of classic black pumps.
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The Dune Biennale run continued with a bang — aka. the wet-look leather Balmain dress that Z donned for the festival's red carpet. Also styled by Law Roach, she wore the dress, which was custom-fitted to her body, with a pair of matching Louboutins and a bold emerald Bulgari necklace. She kept the wet look vibe going with her beauty look, styling her hair in finger waves.
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Screenshot. Courtesy of Law Roach/Instagram @luxurylaw25/96September 2021
According to Law Roach, we “didn’t see” this “could have been” summery white Dion Lee dress on Z in action, but we did get a peek of it via Instagram and we’re obsessed. The dress was the perfect end-of-summer piece, with major slits up both legs, a fluttering skirt, and a low neckline. Like many of Zendaya’s looks, it feels a bit ‘70s-inspired in shape but also extremely modern and chic.
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The looks keep coming! Zendaya’s stylist Law Roach shared a video of the star catwalking down the hall in another potential piece for the event: a black and silver two-piece top and long skirt from David Koma. The top left Z’s midriff bare and a pair of Louboutin heels peeked out from under the skirt as she walked.
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Styled by Law Roach, Zendaya channeled Lola Bunny for the Space Jam: A New Legacy premiere in Los Angeles. The star donned a multicolored two-piece from Moschino and jewels from Bvlgari. “Lola inspired the look today,” Z wrote on her Instagram stories. “I don't have the ears but the ponytail is close enough.” But the look she rocked on the red carpet wasn't quite complete… cue the next image!
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Zendaya rounded off her look with a face mask (because, pandemic) adorned with a very fitting basketball – made of rhinestones, of course. On Instagram, Zendaya revealed the face mask was actually handmade, “courtesy of my mama.” Love to see it!
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We will never get over Z's style homage to 2003 Beyoncé.
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Styled by Law Roach and paying homage to Cher, Zendaya absolutely rocked the Oscars 2021 red carpet in this breathtaking custom Valentino gown. She was also rocking Bulgari jewels and, though not visible here, Jimmy Choo heels. Extra points for her matching face mask.
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Zendaya attended the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards in L.A. clad in a dreamy periwinkle ensemble made of shining silk. Styled, of course, by Law Roach, Z stole the spotlight with the vintage Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture piece from 1982, pulled from Roach's own personal archive. According to the stylist, the piece originally belonged to businesswoman and fashion trailblazer Eunice W. Johnson.
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Styled by Law Roach, Z accepted her Visionary Award at the virtual Green Carpet Fashion Awards clad in a 1996 vintage gown from Versace and Bulgari jewels – a sustainable serve.
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From the comfort of her very own house, Zendaya accepted her Emmy for Euphoria in custom Armani Privé dress and Bulgari jewels.
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Earlier in the night, she walked the virtual red carpet wearing Christopher John Rogers, one of her most elevated looks to date.
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You can never go wrong with Rahul Mishra and Bulgari diamonds.
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Styled like usual by Law Roach, Zendaya attended this Fendi event in NYC fittingly clad in Fendi's ready-to-wear Spring/Summer 2020 collection. To balance the muted look, she added a pair of killer Louboutin lace-up boots.
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The 2020 Critics Choice Awards will forever be THE Zendaya look. From the custom Tom Ford molded bustier to her immaculate hair and makeup, everything is a 10.
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So good we also have to see it from the back.
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Classic with an edge. For the AAA Arts Awards, Z opted for this Christopher Esber and a pair of the iconic “So Kates” by Louboutin in patent black.
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Z went for Christopher Esber's designs once again for the E! People's Choice Awards in Santa Monica, but the feel of the look was worlds apart. Also paired with Louboutins, Law Roach went full luxury with the addition of diamond jewelry by Nadine.
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Zendaya arrived at the premiere of Melina Matsoukas's "Queen & Slim" wearing this haute couture caftan dress from Cameroun-born, France-based designer Imane Ayissi.
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Z knows how to mix high and low. She paired this all-back cozy outfit with some statement hoops and added a pop of color with some classic Manolo Blahnik pumps. Carrie Bradshaw, who?
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Putting her spin on the classic suit, Zendaya wore a cropped jacket that featured a single button.
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For the 2019 InStyle Awards, Z opted for a full Givenchy haute couture look complete with a structured peplum top and skinny black pants.
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A classic black dress with a twist for the Tommy Hilfiger VIP Dinner in Zurich.
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Decked out in silver, Zendaya looked totally stylish in this suit jacket and pant combo.
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Wearing your own designs to your own function? Iconic behavior.
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Zendaya stepped out of her comfort zone even more for the 2019 Emmy’s after-party with this Alexandre Vauthier couture floral dress.
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Zendaya in an all-white power suit (from her Tommy X Zendaya collection) and red lip combo? As Lizzie McGuire would say, this is what dreams are made of.
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Donning a velvet suit and visor beret from her own Tommy Hilfiger collection, Z blew everyone away at the 2019 Fashion Media Awards.
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Zendaya was the epitome of glam in this green gown.
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Zendaya capped off 2019 with more epic suits, the first of which was this gray number.
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Stunning is cutting it short. Zendaya announced her partnership with Lancôme in this gorgeous Georges Hobeika resort dress.
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In custom Ferragamo for the 25th Essence Festival.
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Zendaya stole the Paris Fashion Week spotlight with this white and black ensemble.
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We don't know if we should look at the Colosseum or Zendaya.
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This lacy white gown is giving us major princess vibes.
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Zendaya took a cue from Spider-Man for this red and black gown.
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Zendaya rocking another suit. No surprises here!
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Going as Cinderella, Zendaya ruled the 2019 Met Gala carpet.
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Zendaya rocked this brown dress with a oversized bodice.
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A literal fashion knight in armor.
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This #TBT look had us seeing '60s. Along with her voluminous hair, the star wore a baby blue dress and polka-dotted heels.
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Looking totally sleek, Zendaya wore this neutral gown covered in sparkles with a simple top knot.
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Yep, that's Zendaya with a blonde pixie cut. In addition to the shocking change in hair, she wore an equally mesmerizing dress.
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This beautiful gown turned our fave star into a butterfly.
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This ombre gown featured fringe and a palette of colors in red hues.
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Zendaya literally sparkled in this pink sequined suit. She looked especially modern with a hairstyle of curls and fringe bangs.
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Draped in bright summer-inspired colors and touches of a floral print, Zendaya looked radiant at the Rei Kawakubo-inspired Met Gala.
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There’s no such thing as too much print when it comes to this daring fashionista’s ensembles, as made clear by this 3-piece pant/ bralette/ jacket look. We love that Zendaya always takes major sartorial risks because it ensures that every time she steps onto the red carpet—or even just onto the street—we won’t be bored or disappointed.
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This is undoubtedly Zendaya at her sartorial peak. Just look at the detailing on the gorgeous train of her opulent Fausto Puglisi gown! The dress riffs on the high-low aesthetic but in an entirely different, more opulent, way and has a stop-and-stare quality that makes the singer impossible to miss. Complete with a sunburst coronne and elegant black pumps, Zendaya reigned supreme at this year’s Met Gala.
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We love that Zendaya isn’t afraid to experiment with ensembles featuring bold colors or quirky appliqué s, like this awesome matching set. With a yolk yellow heel and long hair that’s parted in the middle, the fashion-forward singer looks far out.
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Zendaya is a vision in her white Grecian goddess-inspired gown. As we've seen throughout her fashion evolution, Zendaya is not afraid to experiment with different hairstyles, and this half-up dreadlock 'do is no exception. She is glowing!
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Where do we even start?! This graphic ensemble has everything, from a fuzzy textured skirt to a printed statement coat. We love how Zendaya's pixie cut allows her metal choker to really be seen and have a moment.
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In this silky fuchsia and red number, Zendaya looks as pretty as a rose—due in part to the dress' gorgeous petal-like skirt. We'd say this is definitely a superstar quality gown.
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We love the way Zendaya looks in this adorably mod outfit. The lime green coat adds an unexpected pop of color, while her patent shoes and drop waist dress look like they're straight out of a Mad Men episode.
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In this gorgeous, voluminous Dior number, Zendaya looks like royalty herself.
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This outfit screams "fashion queen." The hat is clearly the statement piece here, and it's grandeur allows for an otherwise tame outfit to look immensely edgy and chic. We're loving her smoky eye, too!
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It's refreshing and fun when young stars experiment with their hair, especially when they decide to go big and chop it all off! Though her 'do might be reminiscent of the roaring 20's, her hot pink mini dress with cut-outs and diamond-covered accessories are totally modern.
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We love a look that enlists the "less is more" mantra. Accessorized with stacks of metallic bangles and sleek straight hair, Zendaya's oversized sweater dress allows her natural beauty to speak for itself.
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Head-to-toe black looks major on Z. Not to mention a tailored jacket and culottes. Baring a bit of skin and standing tall in black pumps, the singer/actress looks sleek, sexy and mature.
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The bright whites, lemon yellows, and ocean blues render this breezy ensemble perfect for spring. And the textured skirt? To die for.
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In a slit dress and pointy-toed stilettos, Zendaya looks effortlessly sexy. The Disney child star has bloomed into a gorgeous young woman!
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In her Chanel booties and strings of pearls, Zendaya is channeling Coco herself like you've never seen. Accented with a red lip and tidy topknot, she looks tré s chic!
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What's black and white and RED all over? Zendaya's impeccable formal co-ord ensemble, complete with cherry lips. How stunning is she?!
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Is it just us, or did Zendaya just mature 5 years since the last look? This cascading white ensemble is nothing short of angelic, only to be further heightened by all-silver accessories. She looks heavenly—and it's not just because of her sky-high heels.
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Wait, haven't we seen her in metallic shorts before?! Sure, she's in the same trend, but she's wearing it in an entirely different—and much more casual—way. We love how the jersey tee and boyish trainers infuse the outfit with a sporty edge, while her shiny blue shorts add a fashion element. MVP material? Absolutely.
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We are in LOVE with this outfit! The co-ord's fun print allows it to remain young and playful, while its expert tailoring and tudo-like jacket give it a touch of formality. And her bubblegum pink lips? So sweet!
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This is a new look for the star, with her jeweled collar, numerous wrist accessories and über fashionable tinted cat eye glasses. Are we starting to see the budding star experiment with the over-the-top looks that she's currently wearing so well?
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We wouldn't normally think of pairing a navy and red dress with hot pink heels, but after seeing how well Zendaya pulled the look off we're going to reconsider.
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The best part of this colorful ensemble? Her accessories! What's better than a best friend on your arm and pop of silky lime green on your feet?
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THIS is how you do metallic shorts. And a see-through watch.
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We love this Little House on the Prairie-esque look, from the braided leather belt to the antique-looking print on her A-line dress.
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There's a lot going on here but somehow she makes it work. Between combining contrasting prints with an array of colors and bold accessories, its clear that Zendaya is a mix master.
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Even as a youngster, Zendaya was experimenting with her style by mixing the über girly with the downright edgy. Pairing a ruffled pink dress with studded sneaks, metal bracelets and a rocker-chic jacket, the young actress' look has red carpet written all over it.
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Staying true to her style, Zendaya pairs grungy combat boots with a perfectly sweet dress and denim button-up. Her floral necklace adds some color to the ensemble and makes it scream "summertime."
