At 25, she’s just become the youngest-ever recipient of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) icon award.
But here at Fashion North, we think Zendaya’s win is loooooong overdue.
She has been a fashion icon since her days on Disney in double denim and doodle print dresses-although may be not in the eyes of the the type of fashion elite audience who also know of the CFDAs.
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Since the beginning of her collaboration with ‘image architect’ Law Roach, she has stunned us all, pushed fashion boundaries and channeled her personality through anything from jeans to Jean Paul Gaultier gowns.
In 2019, she released a 70s inspired collection with Tommy Hilfiger that celebrated the influence black culture has had on American ready-to-wear fashion while using and re-styling classic fabrics like snakeprint and velvet for the modern market. Everything about the show was stylish, fun and most of all, inclusive.
But long before that, Zendaya has been pushing for inclusivity and diversity. At the 2015 Oscars she wore a beautiful white Vivienne Westwood dress, with her hair in traditional dreadlocks, which she was then forced to defend after a reporter publicly stated she looked dirty.
Zendaya, aka Ms. Coleman, shot back with a considered and honest response which called out the woman and signified that from that moment on, the star would be the diverse young advocate Hollywood needed.
Image credits:Alamy Stock Photo
Zendaya has also had a slew of iconic and mould-breaking looks from her 2017 Met Gala look by Dolce and Gabbana to her Balmain Cannes 2021 dress that sent the internet into a frenzy. She is never afraid to take a fashion risk, consistently pushing the boat out and raising the standards for everyone else whilst maintaining her personal and unique style.
She is often seen wearing and promoting up-and-coming brands too with a clear and real love of the fashion industry, despite its faults which she is willing to call out and address. Unlike other celebrities, her wardrobe both on and off the carpet is collaborative. Stylist and friend, Law Roach, has often commented on how involved in the styling process the star is. She has a keen and informed sense of style that means even her off-duty looks rarely misses the mark.
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Zendaya is also a brand ambassador for Lancome and has been for a number of years, cementing herself as a pillar of the fashion and beauty world. She has had similar roles at Bulgari and Valentino in the past three years, working with them on both make up and fashion lines, appearing in editorial and advertisements as well as wearing their looks on red carpets and for public appearances.
We can’t wait to see what the style icon has in store next.
Let us know your thoughts at @fashionnorth
