Zendaya: Famous Among the Gods
– 3 min read
It is one of the lines I’ll always remember from my Greek mythology course in universe – said by Athena but also often used to describe Athena: that she is famous among the gods for her wisdom but also for her cunning, which is why she was partial to Odysseus, the wily Greek.
Who but Zendaya, then, to play Athena in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, opening next Friday and the press tour now underway. Shameless self promotion: I was in New York last week to cover the junket for ETALK where I interviewed the cast, including Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Matt Damon, and Tom Holland. A preview of those interviews airs on tonight’s ETALK but a 30-minute special is currently being produced by Joanna that will air the day the film opens on July 17. Will share more observations about the film and the performances soon.
For now, it’s Zendaya’s Odyssey wardrobe. Like it was already a slam dunk at the photo call yesterday when she showed up in custom Jacquemus in tribute to her character but not too on the nose.
Everything is in the details – the headwrap, the earrings like ancient coins, and the tiny knots or pompoms on the edge of the fabric all over the dress is distinctly Mediterranean but also just a great style feature.
That look was already such a banger, so the question was… how would she crank it up for the carpet? And now we know, but again it’s in the details. You’ll recall, Daniel Roseberry presented the latest Schiaparelli collection earlier today – and Law Roach was at the show. Just a few hours later, one of the pieces is on Zendaya’s body. So did he run it over on the Eurostar? Or were two of them made? If there were two, that’s another level of flex, considering this is haute couture and the level of attention and hours of craft required for just ONE piece is insane, let alone a double.
Back to the details though that take it from runway and personalise it for Z’s purposes. The addition of the neckpiece is a lovely touch to soften the edge of the body cast. And then the hair – extensions and a braided headband to go full Greek goddess – and not just any goddess but Athena herself, the goddess of war. That’s where the hardness of the piece through the body comes in. She’s basically a statue come to life in the temple. Just the latest example of why she really is… famous among the gods, the new celebrity gods.
More photos from The Odyssey premiere coming tomorrow.
Zendaya attends the world premiere of "The Odyssey" at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on July 06, 2026 in London, England
Zendaya attends "The Odyssey" Photocall at the IET Building: Savoy Place on July 05, 2026 in London, England
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