Zendaya’s Archival Fashion Moments: A Tribute to Black Icons
Zendaya continues to solidify her status as a fashion icon, not just through trendsetting looks but through thoughtful homages to Black icons of the past. Her recent appearance at the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards, where she wore a white dress echoing Whitney Houston’s 1987 Life magazine cover shoot and Carrie Bradshaw’s iconic look from Sex and the City, is the latest example of this practice. Stylist Law Roach’s clever choices consistently weave together history, glamour, and a deep respect for those who paved the way.
A Dress with History
Zendaya’s dress at the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards was a replica of an original Eugene Alexander design. Whitney Houston first wore the dress for a promotional photoshoot in March 1987, and it later appeared on the cover of a 2012 Life magazine commemorative issue celebrating Houston’s legacy. The dress was as well famously worn by Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw in the opening scene of the 2008 Sex and the City movie. Tom and Lorenzo noted the dress, while beautiful on Zendaya, has a dated design and a surprisingly flimsy skirt, but her styling elevates the look.
Beyond the Headlines: A Pattern of Paying Homage
This isn’t an isolated incident. Zendaya, with Law Roach, has consistently used archival fashion to honor Black women who have shaped culture and style.
2025 Golden Globe Awards
At the 2025 Golden Globe Awards, Zendaya wore an orange Louis Vuitton gown as “an honour to Diahann, Eartha, Dorthy and Joyce,” according to Law Roach’s Instagram caption. Bossip reports the gown specifically referenced the operate of Zelda Wynn Valdes, a pioneering African American costume designer known for dressing Joyce Bryant, as seen on the cover of Bryant’s 1954 album, Runnin’ Wild.
2021 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood
During the 2021 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood event, Zendaya donned a puff-sleeved Yves Saint Laurent couture top originally owned by Eunice W Johnson, the creator of Ebony Fashion Fair, dating back to 1982. Law Roach sourced the piece from his personal archive.
2021 BET Awards
Zendaya paid tribute to Beyoncé at the 2021 BET Awards by wearing a longer version of the spring/summer 2003 Versace gown Beyoncé first wore during her debut solo performance at the BET Awards that same year.
A Moment and a Trend
Zendaya’s choice to wear a dress reminiscent of Whitney Houston’s style comes amid rumors of a private marriage to Tom Holland. Her stylist, Law Roach, hinted at a “bridal-adjacent fashion show” following Zendaya’s recent white high-low skirt at the Louis Vuitton Fall 2026 show in Paris. MSN reports that Roach was reportedly unable to fully style Zendaya for a public wedding, leading to these fashion moments.
Zendaya’s consistent use of archival fashion is more than just a style choice; it’s a powerful statement about remembering and celebrating the legacies of Black women who have shaped the entertainment industry and beyond.