Zendaya Takes Outfit Inspo from Carrie Bradshaw for 'Challengers’ Promo — and Debuts Blonde Bangs
The star has been experimenting with various fringe styles while on her latest, show-stopping press tour
Zendaya is proving yet again that she’s a new generation’s Carrie Bradshaw.
During a Thursday, April 11 photo call in London for her new movie Challengers, the 27-year-old Euphoria star appeared in a decidedly Bradshaw-inspired ensemble which paired perfectly with her new blunt blonde bangs.
The actress posed for photos in a multicolored striped vest and miniskirt — which featured a feathered bunny tail detail — by Vivienne Westwood. She accessorized with pointed white stilettos and simple jewelry. On Instagram, Zendaya’s longtime stylist Law Roach shared a video of the star on the red carpet followed by archival footage of the Vivienne Westwood look on the runway.
On Instagram Stories, Roach also posted stills from Sex and the City in which Sarah Jessica Parker’s character Carrie Bradshaw wore a similar, now-iconic style with a "bunny tail" attached to her green satin mini skirt.
Author and pop culture expert Evan Ross Katz also pointed out the Carrie Bradshaw connection on his hugely popular Instagram feed, showing a split of Zendaya in the Spring 1994 Vivienne Westwood Design with Bradshaw famously wearing the bustle mini skirt with a white button-down from Westwood's fall '91 collection.
Related: Zendaya Wears Her Most Risqué Challengers Look So Far -- See the Skin-Baring Style
Zendaya took the opportunity to try a brand new style with her fresh blonde hair. Her honey-blonde locks were styled into a sleek high ponytail and blunt bangs with face-framing pieces. The star’s hairstylist, Ursula Stephen shared exactly how she achieved the preppy-chic look, which featured clip-in bangs.
“Start with clean, blow-dried hair. Brush the hair into a high ponytail, securing it with a hair tie,” Stephen tells PEOPLE. “Next, twist and pin the hair into a small bun. Make the bun as flat and small as possible, as this will be getting covered.”
She continued, “Then, take the 18-inch Wrap Ponytail from The Hair Shop and attach it over the bun. Using a medium barrel iron, curl the ends to create a bouncy curl finish. At the front of the hair, attach The Hair Shop's Blunt Bang. This step completely changes the look of the hair.”
Next, Stephen says, use a flat iron to pump up the root of the bangs for more lift and “add a soft bend to the longer side pieces to blend into the hair.” She then advises sprinkling SexyHair Powder Play into the bangs for even more lift and volume.
Finally, finish the look off with the SexyHair Spray and Stay Hairspray for an all-day hold.
This isn’t the first time Zendaya has experimented with bangs. At the Schiaparelli Spring/Summer 2024 during Paris Fashion Week in January 2024, Zendaya shocked fans with short, choppy bangs and super-straight locks. She also opted for a dramatic all-black ensemble featuring a high-neck top and a ruched satin skirt with a long train.
Following the event, the actress’ boyfriend Tom Holland showed his support for the edgy look. The Spider-Man star, 27, shared a photo of her look on his Instagram Storyies, adding three heart eyes emojis.
In a second Instagram Stories post, he shared a video photographer Bilal Zagaoui took of Zendaya from the event.
Later that week, Zendaya brought her baby bangs to the Fendi show. The star sported a slicked-back bun and dark burgundy gown with an elegant Queen Anne neckline.
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The actress embraced futuristic style while promoting her movie Dune: Part 2. Standout looks have included a 1995 Mugler robot suit with daring cutouts and matching jumpsuits with costar Timothée Chalamet.
For the Challengers press tour, on the other hand, Zendaya has fully leaned into a sporty chic vibe. While promoting film (in which she plays a tennis player turned coach) the star has worn a variety of tennis-themed attire, including a glittery green Loewe gown with a graphic of a tennis player and white Loewe stilettos featuring neon yellow tennis balls punctured through the heels.
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