Zendaya’s Moschino Bow Top & Daya by Zendaya Heels: The Early Red-Carpet Look That Shaped Her Style Legacy

Long before her red-carpet reign reached global fashion-icon status, Zendaya was already proving she had the instincts of a born style star.

One of the clearest snapshots of her early fashion confidence came at the 2016 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports Awards, where the then-19-year-old arrived to present Kobe Bryant with the Legend Award.

Zendaya piles her hair on top of her head at the 2016 Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Sports Awards held on July 14, 2016, at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles (Credit: FayesVision / Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

Many years later, the look still feels striking: a playful yet high-fashion Moschino ensemble that captured the youthful boldness of her early career while hinting at the polished, directional aesthetic she’s now known for.

With a statement bow top, sleek leather trousers, and heels from her own Daya by Zendaya line, this moment shows exactly how she was shaping her fashion identity long before her blockbuster premieres and couture partnerships.

The innovative bow blouse from Moschino showcased the fashion house’s signature blend of elegance and quirkiness, perfectly complementing Zendaya’s style

The successful actress flashed a hint of flesh in a gold crop top with a giant bow detail in the front. She also highlighted her legs in a pair of zip-detailed leather cigarette pants.

Zendaya poses on the orange carpet in a bow-accented Moschino crop top

The rest of the look was kept pretty simple to allow the detailed top to do the talking. The fashion icon accessorized with a pair of Le Vian earrings and several statement rings.

Zendaya wore her locks up into a messy bun and sported pink lipstick and well-defined brows.

Zendaya turns the orange carpet into a high-fashion moment in a bold gold Moschino bow top paired with zip-detailed leather pants and sleek black pointed-toe pumps

Zendaya became her own model at the event, rocking a pair of pumps from her Daya by Zendaya collection.

Zendaya displays her feet in snake-embossed heels from her Daya by Zendaya collection

These “Atmore” pumps are made of snake-embossed textile material and feature pointed toes and four-inch heels.

Zendaya promotes black stiletto “Atmore” pumps from her own footwear collection

Inside Daya by Zendaya: The Vision, Challenges, and the Legacy of the “Atmore” Pumps

Daya by Zendaya’s “Atmore” pumps reflected the brand’s mission—an affordable, inclusive line created by Zendaya and her longtime stylist Law Roach.

Still, the label ultimately faced major operational issues, including fulfillment delays and customer-service problems, which led Zendaya to cut ties with the operating company in 2018.

The “Atmore” remains one of the standout designs from the short-lived collection, featuring a polished day-to-night silhouette and a sleek pointed toe.

Daya by Zendaya “Atmore” Pumps, $79.95

Zendaya’s Enduring Influence on Red Carpet Footwear

Zendaya’s 2016 Moschino look remains a standout moment from her early red-carpet era—not only for its playful proportions but also for how confidently she showcased one of her own Daya by Zendaya shoe designs.

It’s a reminder of how early she began shaping her fashion identity, long before her now-iconic partnerships with Valentino, Loewe, and Law Roach transformed her into a global style force.

To close, here’s a curated look at some of Zendaya’s most unforgettable fashion and footwear moments that followed, each one reinforcing her reputation as one of the industry’s most influential dressers.