The night of the Emmy Awards is the biggest night in the TV industry, and this year nobody made a splash quite like Zendaya. The talented actress made headlines not only for creating history by winning her second Emmy in a row as the youngest artist ever, but she also turned heads with her stunning appearance. While her win for her powerful performance as Rue in Euphoria proved her prowess as an actress, her custom Valentino ball gown dialed up the glamor quotient of the night as she channeled the charm of Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly.
The Gown
Zendaya looked absolutely gorgeous in a black floor-sweeping elegant ball gown, designed especially for the occasion by Pierpaolo Piccioli, the creative director of the iconic label Valentino. The dramatic gown featured an off-shoulder form-fitting bodice with detailing of subtle peplum. The full skirt with a sweeping train was created by paying homage to iconic screen sirens from past decades. According to Law Roach, Zendaya’s personal stylist, the glamorous dress was inspired by several pieces worn by none other than Grace Kelly during her fashion icon heyday of the 1950s. The creative inspiration also came from a special look from the fall 1987 collection of Valentino, donned by Linda Evangelista for a Steven Meisel ad campaign.
The Look
Zendaya paired her glamorous ensemble with a Brigitte Bardot-style hairdo as a further nod to the history of cinema from past decades. The 26-year-old fashionista pulled her hair back with a sleek black silk band while keeping her brushed-out brown curls falling on her shoulders. The style was perfectly suited to highlight her sleek diamond jewelry, by better framing the glittering Bulgari necklace. If there’s one thing Zendaya and Roach know better than anyone, it’s how to balance the retro and the right now, effortlessly. We don’t need any other proof as to why Zendaya is currently Hollywood’s most stylish genius.