How Zendaya is slaying method dressing for Challengers, with Law Roach’s help – but before her tenniscore era came sci-fi Dune looks, and Sydney Sweeney and Angelina Jolie did method fashion too

Apr 29 , 2024

Law Roach and Zendaya at the world premiere of Dune: Part Two in February, in London. Photo: @luxurylaw/Instagram

Zendaya’s tennis-inspired looks on her recent Challengers press tour set a new standard for method fashion, while she also wowed in a futuristic Mugler bodysuit at the Dune: Part Two world premiere

Stars who’ve rocked method looks include Sydney Sweeney for Madame Web, Angelina Jolie for Maleficent, Jenna Ortega for Wednesday – and who could forget Margot Robbie setting off the Barbiecore trend?

On camera or off, Zendaya stays in character.

From her wet-look Balmain gown at the 2021 Venice Film Festival to her recent jaw-dropping futuristic Mugler bodysuit at the Dune: Part Two world premiere, the young star has built quite a reputation for bold, method fashion.

The 27-year-old actress, who will co-chair the Met Gala in May, has graduated from Disney Channel heroine to blockbuster star and budding fashion icon over her nearly 15 years in the spotlight.

Zendaya attends the UK premiere of Challengers at Leicester Square, in London, Britain, on April 10. Photo: Reuters

Much of this transformation is thanks to the work of Law Roach. Roach, who opts for his trademarked title “image architect” as opposed to stylist, has worked with the actress since she was on Disney Channel’s Shake It Up in 2011. He actually retired last March, but still works with Zendaya.

Roach calls the duo’s thematic approach to red carpets “method dressing” – a nod to the acting technique – and it’s a hallmark of the pair’s collaboration.

On the recent press tour for her new film Challengers, the duo gleaned inspiration from Zendaya’s tennis champion character Tashi Duncan, who’s at the top of her game – with the talent and intensity of a Williams sister – when an injury stunts her career.

Zendaya poses for a photo call for the film Challengers on April 11, in London. Photo: Invision/AP

Throughout the film’s international premieres and the cast’s promotional appearances, Zendaya has served up looks with tennis whites, collars and pleats, sportswear fabrics like mesh and even actual tennis balls.