Really, it was only a matter of time before Zendaya broke out the gladiator sandals. And at long last, mere days before the premiere of The Odyssey, she finally did it.
As they’ve continually reminded us throughout this press tour—filled with vintage McQueen-era Givenchy couture, custom Louis Vuitton, and fresh-off-the-runway Schiaparelli couture—Zendaya and her stylist, Law Roach, never do anything halfheartedly.
Zendaya in New York.
XNY/Star Max
Alberta Ferretti spring 2008
Marcio Madeira
Case in point: early this morning, the actor left her New York hotel dressed in a white tunic with fine gold chain embellishments from Alberta Ferretti’s spring 2008 collection. But what really allowed her to ascend to Mount Olympus were her gladiator sandals from Sophia Webster. While there are plenty of shoes that offer a contemporary take on the gladiator (exhibit A: the Olsen-approved Tevas), Zendaya fully committed to the bit in her knee-high heels with sinewy pewter cords wrapping around her legs.
Jennifer Lopez, 2014.
Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Zendaya isn’t the only celebrity who’s donned the towering heels. In 2014, Jennifer Lopez wore the same shoes to promote American Idol. Lopez wore the statement shoes during the height of the gladiator sandal renaissance. From the early to mid-2010s, the likes of Chloé, Jean Paul Gaultier, Balmain, and Dolce & Gabbana all sent the caged Grecian sandals down the runways. But since then, they’ve fallen out of fashion, with flip-flops claiming the title of Sandal Du Jour for the third summer running.
But is Zendaya’s stamp of approval enough to unseat the simple thong sandal? Maybe this is enough to make waves at the box office and the fashion game.
