Following her return to the spotlight at the Louis Vuitton Fall 2026 show during Paris Fashion Week, Zendaya was back stateside for the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards held in Los Angeles.
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While many celebrities, including Kaia Gerber and Teyana Taylor, are already serving up Fall 2026 looks just days after their runway debuts, Zendaya continues to dip into the archives, as we have come to expect by now. This particular piece, however, comes with quite the fashion history.
Zendaya wore a vintage Caché white dress that many of you will instantly recognise from Sex and the City. The design was famously worn by Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw in the opening sequence of the film, styled by costume designer Patricia Field and produced by Caché.
But the story goes back even further. The dress was inspired by a white Eugene Alexander gown Whitney Houston wore during a photoshoot for her 1986 debut album. Which later appeared on the cover of a Life Magazine tribute issue.
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Carrie Bradshaw styled the look with Dior gladiator sandals, leaning fully into the character’s eclectic styling. Zendaya, however, opted for a far more streamlined approach, pairing the dress with her go-to Christian Louboutin So Kate pumps.
The dress itself remains the star. The softly ruched silhouette and oversized floral appliqué cascading across the shoulder and bodice give the design a sculptural presence, while the gold detailing heightens the glamour.
What makes this moment so compelling is how modern the dress still feels. Despite its layered history, the look does not read as vintage at all, proving that great fashion can easily transcend its original moment.
Moments like this only amplify the excitement around Zendaya’s upcoming press tours.
Cartier jewels completed her look.
Stylist: Law Roach.
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