“I’ll be thinking about this wet look dress for the rest of my life,” Franco-Ontarian women’s rights advocate Julie S. Lalonde tweeted about Zendaya’s outfit on the red carpet at the premiere of her film Dune on Friday at the 2021 Venice Film Festival.
The Space Jam: Legacy actress was joined by her co-star, Timothée Chalamet, who wore a Haider Ackermann look.
Timothée Chalamet in Haider Ackermann and Zendaya in Balmain at the premiere of their film Dune during the 2021 Venice Film Festival on September 3, 2021, in Venice, Italy (Credit: WENN / Avalon)
Wearing a custom sand-colored Balmain leather dress created using the exact measurements of her bust, she accessorized with Christian Louboutin’s popular So Kate pumps in nude and a breathtaking necklace from Bulgari’s Magnifica high jewelry collection.
Nude heels are a classic styling trick for creating the illusion of longer legs, as their skin-toned hue blends seamlessly with the wearer’s complexion, minimizing visual breaks. On Zendaya, who already stands tall at 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm), the pointed-toe So Kate pumps further enhanced her height, making her appear even more statuesque on the red carpet.
Zendaya’s Show-Stopping Bulgari Necklace: The Hypnotic Emerald
Her “Hypnotic Emerald” necklace features a 93.83-carat, cabochon-cut Colombian emerald clasped in the jaw of a diamond- and emerald-encrusted snake.
Zendaya’s 93.83-carat Hypnotic Emerald necklace by Bulgari took 1,800 hours to complete (Credit: Avalon / WENN)
“I met this emerald for the first time in Jaipur in 2018,” Lucia Silvestri, Bulgari’s creative director for jewelry, told The Telegraph in June 2021.
The award winner of the “Gem Award for Jewelry Design” during the 15th Annual GEM Awards, Lucia added, “When I first saw the stone it was 98 carats and I spent a year convincing the supplier to recut it. Now it’s 93 carats, but it’s the perfect cabochon: the shape, the surface, it’s a piece of art.”
“The bespoke leather gown was crafted using an exact model of the stars’ bust, taking full advantage of the Balmain atelier and the house’s artisanal tradition,” Balmain shared about the dress on Instagram. Do you prefer it to Kim Kardashian’s wet dress at the Met Gala?
Zendaya stuns in a custom nude-tone leather Balmain gown by Olivier Rousteing, paired perfectly with matching pointed-toe Christian Louboutin So Kate pumps for a sleek, statuesque finish (Credit: WENN / Avalon)
“At the end of the day, these are difficult times for everybody. Safety first. If the audience feels comfortable, I encourage them to watch it on the big screen,” Dune director Denis Villeneuve said about the epic science fiction film that has opened to positive reviews.
“It has been dreamed, designed, shot, thinking IMAX. When you watch this movie on the big screen, it is a physical experience. We tried to design it to be as immersive as possible,” the French Canadian film director added.
Before her unforgettable red carpet moment at the Dune premiere, Zendaya had already begun making waves in the fashion world with her runway debut years earlier.
Zendaya’s Runway Debut: Making a Statement at the Go Red for Women Fashion Show
Zendaya at the Go Red for Women Fall 2015 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City on February 12, 2015 (Credit: Kyle Blair / WENN)
In February 2015, Zendaya walked her first runway at the Go Red for Women Fall 2015 fashion show, an annual event that promotes awareness about heart disease, which is currently the #1 health threat to women.
Zendaya turns heads in a sculptural red and fuchsia Rubin Singer high-low gown, paired with red patent leather pumps that enhance her height and elongate her legs (Credit: Winston Burris / WENN)
The then-18-year-old actress and singer stunned in a gorgeous red and pink Rubin Singer gown and red patent leather pumps. She ditched the pixie cut she sported at the Grammys and opted for her usual sleek honey-brown tresses.
We respect Zendaya for leaving her mark on such a worthy cause!
Zendaya showcases toe cleavage in sleek red pointy-toe pumps, which elongate her legs and add a flattering height boost to her statuesque frame (Credit: Winston Burris / WENN)
What do you think of Zendaya’s runway debut? You can copy her look with a pair of red leather pumps from Gianvito Rossi.
Gianvito Rossi Red Patent Leather Pumps, $660
Zendaya’s Iconic High-Heel Moments
Zendaya consistently captivates with her bold fashion choices, particularly her penchant for statement heels. Here are some of her most memorable high-heel appearances:
Embracing Height in Christian Louboutin So Kate Pumps
- Event: ‘Dune: Part Two’ London Photocall
- Outfit: Zendaya donned a sleek architectural suit paired with vintage Bulgari jewelry.
- Footwear: She completed the look with maroon Christian Louboutin So Kate pumps, accentuating her statuesque frame.
- Read more: Zendaya’s Love for High Heels: How She Embraces Her Statuesque Height
Method Dressing with Loewe’s Tennis Ball Heels
- Event: ‘Challengers’ Photocall in Rome
- Outfit: A custom Loewe tennis dress featuring crystal embellishments and a pleated mini-skirt.
- Footwear: White leather pumps with neon tennis balls embedded in the heels, showcasing her commitment to thematic dressing.
- See more: Zendaya Aces Challengers Method Dressing: From Loewe’s Tennis Ball Heels
Channeling Joan of Arc in Jimmy Choo Platforms
- Event: 2018 Met Gala
- Outfit: An armor-inspired Atelier Versace chainmail gown, evoking the spirit of Joan of Arc.
- Footwear: Silver Jimmy Choo ‘Max’ platform sandals, adding a modern edge to the medieval ensemble.
- Discover more: Zendaya’s Jaw-Dropping Joan of Arc Look at the 2018 Met Gala
Neon Elegance at the 2021 Academy Awards
- Event: 2021 Academy Awards
- Outfit: A custom neon yellow Valentino Haute Couture cutout gown, paired with over $6 million in Bulgari diamonds.
- Footwear: Matching neon yellow Jimmy Choo ‘Minny’ platform heels, creating a cohesive, monochromatic look.
- Explore her look: Zendaya’s $6M Bulgari Diamonds & Jimmy Choo Heels Steal the Show
These standout moments underscore Zendaya’s status as a fashion icon, seamlessly blending bold footwear choices with her distinctive style.