How Zendaya Uses Archival Fashion to Honor Black Icons

The 2026 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood event will be available to stream on ESSENCE’s YouTube starting Saturday, March 14: Watch Here.

“And just like that…. I found it!!” read the latest Instagram caption of Zendaya’s stylist and Image Architect Law Roach. Yesterday, Zendaya attended the 19th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards “wearing on the most iconic dresses in movie history.” He’s referencing the version of a dress worn by Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City: The Movie (2008): a white one-shouldered mini dress from Caché. 

But, the dress goes far deeper than that. While her Carrie Bradshaw moment dates back to 2008, it’s a replica of an original Eugene Alexander dress famously seen over 20 years prior—on UNITED STATES – MARCH 01:Singer Whitney Houston performing.(Photo by Dirck Halstead/Getty Images)

As recent rumors swirl that Zendaya privately tied the knot with her fiancé Tom Holland, wearing a dress adorned with white and gold orchids makes sense. After all, she’s been leaning into the gossip all week, from her bridal white high-low skirt at Louis Vuitton and even a new hair cut, which often comes with big life changes. But, while her marriage-method-dressing via Whitney Houston was her most recent fashion statement, it wasn’t the first time she revived something special from the archives.

Ahead, take a look at 3 more times Zendaya—by way of Law Roach—used archival fashion to pay tribute to Black icons.

2025, Golden Globe Awards

“In honour of Diahann, Eartha, Dorthy and Joyce,” read Law Roach’s Instagram caption as the inspiration behind her orange Louis Vuitton gown at last year’s Golden Globes. The gown, which was form fitting with a bouffant train, specifically referenced the work of Zelda Wynn Valdes, an African American costume designer known for dressing Joyce Bryant, on the cover of Bryant’s 1954 album, Runnin’ Wild. 

Zendaya during the 82nd Annual Golden Globes held at The Beverly Hilton on January 05, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by JC Olivera/GG2025/Penske Media via Getty Images) 2021, ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood

At ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood in 2021, Law Roach put Zendaya in a Yves Saint Laurent couture look from his personal archive. The puff-sleeved top originally belonged to Black businesswoman Eunice W Johnson, the creator of Ebony Fashion Fair, dating back to 1982.  

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 22: In this image released on April 22, 2021, Zendaya attends ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for ESSENCE) 2021, BET Awards

Beyoncé’s first-ever solo performance at the BET Awards was in 2003. She wore a short spring/summer 2003 Versace gown and a pair of green pumps. So, naturally, when Zendaya attended in 2021, she honored the icon with a longer version of that same gown. 

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 27: (L-R) Lil’ Kim and Zendaya attend the BET Awards 2021 at Microsoft Theater on June 27, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)Beyonce Performs (Photo by Steve Grayson/WireImage for BET Entertainment)TOPICS:  2026 Black Women in Hollywood archival fashion law roach Zendaya

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