Zendaya (29) presented two white outfits during an appearance in New York. The occasion was the promotional tour for her new film "The Odyssey", which opens in German theaters on July 16. The actress combined both looks with Greek-inspired high heels.
On Monday, Zendaya appeared during the day in a low-cut, flowing white dress with gray stripes, which she cinched at the waist with a belt. She paired it with sandals whose straps were laced up to just below the knee. She had styled her short hair in tight curls, with silver earrings dangling from her ears.
For another appointment in the Big Apple, she changed into a white T-shirt dress in midi length with a striking cut-out at the stomach. She completed this look with white stilettos and sparkling drop earrings. While leaving her hotel, she signed autographs and chatted with waiting fans.
Costume as Homage to Athena
Zendaya's wardrobe follows a concept. In "The Odyssey", she portrays Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, war, and crafts. The character serves as Odysseus's (Matt Damon) divine protector on his journey home from the Trojan War. On the promotional tour around the globe, the actress repeatedly references the role in her looks, a practice known as method dressing.
At previous premieres, Zendaya already drew inspiration from the ancient figure. In London, she wore a sculptural dress by Schiaparelli with a top in breastplate style, paired with a matching choker necklace. The couture piece from Daniel Roseberry's Fall/Winter 2026 collection had been presented on the Paris Couture Week runway just hours earlier. At the French premiere in Paris, she opted for a white lace dress with a ruffle cape as well as a braided hair crown and stone jewelry.
Nolan's Most Expensive Film
"The Odyssey" is a film adaptation of Homer's ancient epic. At its center is the Greek king Odysseus, who embarks on a perilous journey home after the Trojan War to return to his wife Penelope. Christopher Nolan directs. With a budget of 250 million dollars, it is the most expensive production of his career, and was shot for the first time entirely with IMAX 70mm cameras.
In addition to Matt Damon as Odysseus and Anne Hathaway as Penelope, the cast also includes Zendaya's husband Tom Holland, Lupita Nyong'o, Charlize Theron, Robert Pattinson, Travis Scott, and Elliot Page.
