Cover Step inside the meticulous construction, runway-to-red-carpet logistics and rare late-nineties Alexander McQueen archives defining the visual architecture of Zendaya’s ‘The Odyssey’ press fashion (Photo by Marc Piasecki/WireImage)
Step inside the meticulous construction, runway-to-red-carpet logistics and rare late-nineties Alexander McQueen archives defining the visual architecture of Zendaya’s ‘The Odyssey’ press fashion (Photo by Marc Piasecki/WireImage)
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From molded breastplates to rare McQueen archival couture, Zendaya delivers an architectural press tour wardrobe
The promotional tour for Christopher Nolan’s cinematic adaptation of Homer’s ‘The Odyssey’ has established a distinct thematic visual identity. To embody her role as Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom and warfare, Zendaya and image architect Law Roach bypassed conventional costume dressing. Instead, the duo executed a highly curated wardrobe anchored almost entirely by a palette of ivory, alabaster and white, utilizing architectural silhouettes to signal protection and authority. Across a sequence of high-profile photocalls and premieres in London and Paris, Zendaya showcased a deliberate blend of contemporary custom tailoring, rapid runway-to-red-carpet logistics and rare archival design from the late twentieth century.
Read more: Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ cast: meet the full ensemble and their characters
Ethereal lace and custom Louis Vuitton
Above Zendaya at the Universal Pictures ‘The Odyssey’ Paris Premiere at Le Grand Rex in Paris, France (Photo: Pierre Mouton/Getty Images for Universal Pictures)
Zendaya at the Universal Pictures ‘The Odyssey’ Paris Premiere at Le Grand Rex in Paris, France (Photo: Pierre Mouton/Getty Images for Universal Pictures)
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The tour concluded on 08 July 2026 at Le Grand Rex with a custom Louis Vuitton design by Nicolas Ghesquière that required over 800 hours of construction. The semi-sheer white gown featured intricate floral lace detailing, a central midriff cut-out and a prominent thigh-high slit. Ghesquière paired the dress with a structured, voluminous cropped bolero jacket featuring raw hems. Jewelry consisted of a Messika high-jewelry choker featuring a 14-carat cushion-cut tanzanite stone, and the hair was styled into an intricate braided crown.
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Porcelain sculpture and cascading crystals
Above Zendaya at the world premiere of ‘The Odyssey’ at Odeon Luxe in London, England (Photo: Mike Marsland/WireImage)
Zendaya at the world premiere of ‘The Odyssey’ at Odeon Luxe in London, England (Photo: Mike Marsland/WireImage)
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At Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on 06 July 2026, the actor wore the finale look from Daniel Roseberry’s Schiaparelli Fall 2026 Haute Couture collection, which had debuted on the Paris runway only hours prior. The design featured a structured white porcelain bodice with a plunging waistline that mimicked classical marble sculptures. The lower half consisted of a long ombré skirt composed of thousands of cascading metallic and crystal beads that shifted from ivory to silver. The ensemble was paired with a Chopard diamond collar necklace and a singular long braid.
Archival Givenchy and The Golden Fleece
Above Zendaya at the Universal Pictures ‘The Odyssey’ Paris Photocall at Trocadero Square in Paris, France (Photo: Pierre Mouton/Getty Images for Universal Pictures)
Zendaya at the Universal Pictures ‘The Odyssey’ Paris Photocall at Trocadero Square in Paris, France (Photo: Pierre Mouton/Getty Images for Universal Pictures)
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On 07 July 2026 at Trocadero Square, Zendaya wore an archival white tailored dress from Alexander McQueen’s debut Spring 1997 Haute Couture collection for Givenchy, titled “The Search for the Golden Fleece”. The garment featured prominent padded shoulders, a high neckline and oversized detachable cuffs. The styling replicated the original runway presentation by incorporating the matching gold lace cone headpiece and mask designed by Philip Treacy. White Christian Louboutin So Kate pumps completed the look.
Minimalist silk and ancient artifacts
Above Zendaya at ‘The Odyssey’ photocall at the IET Building: Savoy Place in London, England (Photo: Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images)
Zendaya at ‘The Odyssey’ photocall at the IET Building: Savoy Place in London, England (Photo: Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images)
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For the inaugural promotional event on 05 July 2026, Zendaya wore a custom white silk column gown from the Jacquemus “Le Bonheur” collection. Designed by Simon Porte Jacquemus, the backless dress featured a halter neckline finished with miniature pearl embellishments and a high rear slit. The garment integrated into a matching white headscarf that draped down the upper back. Accessories were restricted to gold disc earrings from Barron London that incorporated genuine ancient artifacts dating to the first millennium BC.
Chonx Tibajia is a senior editor at Tatler Asia’s T-Labs team, where she writes widely on lifestyle subjects including beauty, style, entertainment and travel. She has a long career in journalism, including roles as a columnist at The Philippine Star, and is the founder of the creative platform Pineappleversed. Beyond Tatler, her bylines appear in regional lifestyle and business publications, showcasing a broad portfolio that spans beauty trends, travel guides and culture pieces.
