Her beauty look was so 'Challengers'-coded.
Zendaya has done no wrong on the red carpet this year. With her longtime stylist Law Roach at her side, the Challengers actress has been busy serving up a master class in method dressing, from tennis ball-hued preppy pieces to futuristic Dune-esque silhouettes. But as the year comes to a close, Zendaya took a break from character-inspired looks, revamping a classic little white dress with a daring detail.
The former Disney star embraced winter white as she stepped out at the annual Gotham Awards on Monday, Dec. 2. Zendaya received a Spotlight Tribute for playing a top tennis player-turned-coach in Challengers–perhaps a telling sign for award season ahead–and the actress looked every inch the leading lady in a Louis Vuitton gown that was the epitome of elegance in the front, and party in the back.
Before heading onstage at New York’s Cipriani Wall Street to accept the honor (with a sweet shout-out to her mom), Zendaya slayed the red carpet in the slinky halterneck LBD, which featured a side boob-baring cut on either side and showed off the star’s toned shoulders. The sartorial drama amplified as she turned around, thanks to a plunging open back with a barely-there white strap gown down the middle.
The floor-length gown trailed off into a long train, taking the seemingly simple sheath dress into red carpet territory. The star, who showed off a pair of cream silk peep-toe heels as she walked, added some subtle sparkle to her look with a floral diamond ring and diamond stud earrings.
While her evening style was all red carpet, she leaned into method beauty. Zendaya appeared to subtly pay homage to her Challengers character with a courtside-approved hairstyle: A bouncy high ponytail, which was brushed back with some volume at the crown. A sunset-hued smokey eye, a nude lip, and defined cheeks finished her look.