By Tyler Martin
Ever heard of method dressing? It’s a term coined by Vogue contributor André Wheeler that has been making waves in the fashion world. It’s all about actors and actresses immersing themselves in their upcoming roles, extending that character’s style onto the red carpet, press tours, and street-style looks.
This trend isn’t exactly brand new, but it’s been gaining serious traction recently. One prime example is Margot Robbie’s transformation before and after the Barbie movie. She didn’t just wear Barbie-inspired outfits for the press tour of the film, but nearly all of her red carpet appearances exuded Barbie vibes. And it was no accident.
But let’s talk about someone who’s taken method dressing to a whole new level: Zendaya. Teaming up with her long-time stylist, the iconic Law Roach, Zendaya has been serving up two distinct style aesthetics to coincide with her roles in two completely different films.
Just a couple months ago, Zendaya was rocking desert sci-fi looks for her role in Dune II, sporting everything from a vintage Mugler robot suit to a moto jacket-style jumpsuit.
Fast forward to this week, and Zendaya’s embracing a whole new vibe for her upcoming movie Challengers, where she plays a tennis champion turned coach. We’ve seen a saturation of lime green, cream, preppy silhouettes, and playful nods to tennis, seen specifically through her tennis ball heels by Loewe.
My personal favorite looks have to be the custom Loewe pieces – that green glitter slit dress and the silver two-piece set with the black trim. They’re just so fresh and summery, especially when paired with Zendaya’s new blonde hair.
What makes Zendaya and Law Roach’s approach to method dressing so compelling is that each themed outfit still feels quintessentially Zendaya. She’s always going to take fashion risks, and her love for plunging necklines and androgynous styles shine through even in these curated looks.
And again, this is not a coincidence. “The looks served as an extension of the wardrobe from the movie; it was intentional and purposeful,” Law Roach told Vogue.
I have to say, I think method dressing works. I’m so obsessed with Zendaya’s fashion statements for Challengers, that now I’m itching to see it in theaters. Talk about raking in that box office profit!
The film is set to release on April 26, and I can’t wait to see what other tennis-inspired looks Zendaya and Law Roach have in store for us.
What’s been your favorite Zendaya look from the past few months?
Cover Artwork by Staff Member Athena Mamatas
