vera wang /
We Need to Talk About Zendaya
How can we, mere mortals, achieve that GLOW
That FACE
We need to talk about Zendaya.
I mean, we can't help but keep talking about her. But here's the thing — how did an ex-Disney star, whose current claim to fame is a soapy HBO teen drama, become Hollywood's latest darling?
The answer: she's literally perfect.
Now, with credits in Dune and the Marvel Cinematic Universe under her belt, Zendaya's set to step further into the limelight and her most recent lineup of looks prove that she's more than ready.
Since her earliest days, Zendaya has set herself up for success. Though she's ambitious, she is also grounded — a combination which allowed her to gracefully exit the Disney machine.
Instead of having the requisite meltdown, public crisis, or jarring rebrand that most former-Disney stars fall prey to, Zendaya took her exit at her own pace, choosing to say her final farewells right before the series premiere of Euphoria.
How did she do it?
How she knows best: through fashion.
At the Met Gala — the event that makes or breaks fashion icons — Zendaya waltzed up the red carpet in an electric, light-up Cinderella gown. What a brilliant way to pay homage to the movie magic of the studio that built her, then promptly dropping it for her debut as Rue, a teenage addict in HBO's Euphoria.
A literal Princess
By using fashion to cement this new stage of her life, Zendaya signaled that she is not just the type of Hollywood starlet who walks the obligatory red carpet to promote a project. Despite being famously lowkey, she makes constant appearances at fashion events and always delivers.i
I mean ... HOW
She keeps going
And she's done it again.
At the CFDA Awards on November 11, Zendaya was a vision in red, wearing a two piece Vera Wang ensemble which made her look like the most gorgeous wedding topper. Giving his own awe-struck reaction, her boyfriend, Tom Holland (aka Spiderman) posted the look enthusiastically on Instagram with the cutest caption. So would we.
These garments' sleek, seductive charm are held up by Zendaya's effortless poise. In short: she wears them, they don't wear her.
This phenomenon can be attributed to a number of things: she's a vision of perfection that us mere mortals can only hope to attain, but also she radiates confidence, not to mention her meticulous curation of her aesthetic.
From head to toe, every detail about Zendaya's style is planned and thought out. But this doesn't mean it's extravagant at every opportunity — in fact, the opposite. Zendaya's simple, natural beauty balances the opulence of the garments and imbue her with an effortless glow.
So … what about the rest of us?
While most of us aren't equipped with teams of makeup artists and stylists — amounting to nothing more than switching out sweatpants to wear around the house — we can take this lesson from Zendaya, in an effort to capture some of her charm.
By focusing on a glowy visage, perhaps we too can make any ensemble seem genuine and purposeful.
This is what I tell myself anyway. And it explains why — upon seeing the photos of Zendaya in Vera Wang at the CFDA awards — my first thought was: "let me go wash my face."
Though "clean" isn't an aesthetic in itself, it's both the first step and the finishing touch to any truly great look. The sophisticated restraint of simplicity works best when your face is naturally clean and clear. So, while we can't even approximate most of Zendaya's looks, we can reach for what is possible: clear skin.
Why Banila Co?
Banila Co started with one product, a cleansing balm that goes on smooth and leaves your skin better for it. Whether you want a fresh canvas for makeup or are getting ready for bed, the Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm is step one.
By focusing on skin health, Banila Co promotes basic skincare habits and creates products that ensure your skin will glow for days. It's not about momentary satisfaction, it's about forming lifelong habits and the long-term nurturing of our faces. After all, they're the only ones we have!
Banila Co delivers high-quality items that are an exquisite base for your entire makeup and skincare routine.
I'll admit, it's a fool's errand I've undertaken — trying to approximate Zendaya's stunning look. However, the little I can glean from her beauty secrets, I will.
Frontpage Popular News
Rishabh Manocha: Millennial Master Tailor
FASHION | He's dressing the greats, and designing for a new generation
Thomas Burns Scully
"This is the coming of age of sartorial integrity with the ethics of modern conscious consumerism," says Rishabh Manocha, founder of his eponymous tailoring studio. There he caters to the modern day flaneur. A menswear designer by qualification, Manocha is an alumni of Parsons School of Design in New York City and Central St. Martins in London. Today, he describes himself as a tailor, designer and most importantly a story-teller.
"I think a compelling narrative is core to the investiture of a product," claims Manocha who strongly believes that millennial consciousness will change the way the otherwise downtrodden fashion cycle is currently running. "There are immense volumes, exorbitant wastage, and prohibitive human exploitation in the way our industry works today," states Manocha whose team was a finalist in last year's Hugo Boss Sustainability competition at Parsons. His ethos lies in using high-quality fabrics that don't undermine the recycling process, nor require the slaughtering of countless animals. From using mills that produce organic wool in Brazil and Italy, to eschewing wool altogether in favour of alternatives, his work is about expanding the scope of conservative tailoring.
The Seeker Coat
Today, he provides a taste of traditional bespoke tailoring to the modern consumer. It is without the priggish concomitance of parlours, and with the inclusivity of gender-fluid, non-conforming individuals. From drag queens to white collar professionals, he has dressed them all. "It is critical that our clients feel comfortable in the way fabric moulds their bodies, fashion is but of course a situated bodily practice, and one must be at ease to be practising," says Manocha.
However, the modernity of his approach doesn't extend to the methods of garment construction. "The ergonomics of bespoke pattern cutting are insurmountable," he explains, "the core technical fundamentals of classic menswear lay a strong foundation for thoughtful and curious design variations," he concludes.
Rishabh Manocha
Rishabh Manocha provides a door-to-door bespoke services that starts with initial ideation and measurement followed by fabric selection. Then, there are two to three fittings over the span of six to eight weeks during which the garment is carefully completed in New York City from start to finish. His work has seen him supporting and dressing the likes of Vera Wang, Nicki Minaj, and Jennifer Lopez, and he shows no signs of slowing down. "I have been blessed with my projects, there's no denying. But regardless of who I am working with, the process is always special. The client is always unique, as is my interaction with them, and so the garment is also unique." Manocha is clearly a man whose work borders on the spiritual, but is nevertheless grounded in the finest bespoke tailoring practices. As his clientele gradually spread the word, be prepared to hear his name whispered on catwalks and red carpets in the near future.
For further information, visit www.rishabhmanocha.com or write to [email protected].
Thomas Burns Scully is a PopDust contributor, and also an award-winning actor, playwright, and musician. In his spare time he writes and designs escape rooms. You can follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
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