Zendaya’s Dune 2 Press Tour: A Masterclass in Iconic Style Moments
When it comes to red carpet mastery, few celebrities can hold a candle to Zendaya. Over the years, she has redefined what it means to be a style icon, seamlessly blending high fashion with futuristic narratives, cultural relevance, and artistic expression. But it was her Dune: Part Two press tour in early 2025 that truly marked a new peak in her style journey.
Every appearance became a visual spectacle. From Paris to Seoul, Los Angeles to London, Zendaya’s looks weren’t just outfits—they were cinematic statements that told a story. In collaboration with her longtime stylist Law Roach, she orchestrated one of the most talked-about fashion tours in recent memory.
Let’s unpack the moments that made this tour not only unforgettable, but truly iconic.
The Mechanical Mugler Moment
One of the most jaw-dropping fashion moments from the press tour came in London, when Zendaya stepped out in an original Thierry Mugler “Cybernétique” suit from 1995. The chrome-plated ensemble, complete with robotic limbs and a sculpted metallic bodice, was both a tribute to Mugler’s visionary designs and a nod to the tech-heavy narrative of the Dune universe.
This wasn’t just an outfit—it was a moment of fashion history revived on a contemporary red carpet. The original Mugler suit had rarely been seen in public since its debut, and Zendaya brought it to life with poise, grace, and a futuristic energy that matched the film’s aesthetic.
Vintage Science Fiction Meets Couture
In Paris, she embraced vintage avant-garde once again with a Givenchy Spring/Summer 1999 archival piece by Alexander McQueen. The high-collar silhouette, dramatic train, and lunar-silver fabric brought an ethereal quality to the press event.
Instead of merely wearing fashion, Zendaya embodied the theme. Every look appeared as though it belonged on the set of a sci-fi opera. This intentional design storytelling blurred the lines between costume and couture.
Loewe and the Optical Illusion
At the Seoul premiere, Zendaya stunned in a custom Loewe creation that played with visual depth. The dress featured a hyper-realistic trompe l’oeil print of a nude figure wrapped in silk—a daring and intelligent statement on perception, art, and body imagery.
This look wasn’t just fashion-forward, it sparked conversations across the industry. Art critics, fashion journalists, and stylists alike praised the ingenuity of pairing such a cerebral design with the high-glam stakes of a red carpet event.
Balmain’s Sculpted Fantasy
One of the more romantic yet architectural looks of the tour came courtesy of Balmain. The outfit was a custom sand-colored molded corset dress, designed to mimic the wind-sculpted dunes of Arrakis—the fictional planet central to the Dune series.
The dress’s structure was a technical feat. It required hours of precision molding and hand-painting. Zendaya’s appearance in this gown was not just a tribute to fashion craftsmanship—it was a love letter to storytelling through style.
Rick Owens: Galactic Edge
In New York, Zendaya wore a floor-length Rick Owens piece in cosmic jet-black with layered mesh and leather detailing. The edgy, space-warrior aesthetic contrasted beautifully with the minimalist staging of the premiere venue.
This moment highlighted her versatility—shifting from romantic opulence to galactic grunge without losing the narrative thread of her style arc.
Why It Mattered
Zendaya’s press tour for Dune: Part Two wasn’t just about turning heads. It was about setting a new benchmark in fashion storytelling. It showed the industry and audiences alike that red carpet fashion doesn’t have to be limited to beauty or trend—it can be immersive, intentional, and thematic.
Her wardrobe functioned as a living exhibit, bridging the gap between fashion history and the futuristic world-building of the Dune franchise. Archival fashion, custom haute couture, and daring new silhouettes all contributed to this narrative.
Fashion as Art, Not Accessory
In many ways, Zendaya’s style strategy echoed what many designers and critics have long argued—fashion is not secondary to entertainment, it is a core pillar of it. The success of her looks wasn’t simply because they were beautiful, but because they added depth and dimension to the story she was helping promote.
This understanding of fashion as a form of visual communication places Zendaya among the greats—those few individuals who transcend red carpet norms to become fashion auteurs.
A Cultural and Industry Shift
Beyond just the outfits, this tour marked a shift in how celebrity styling is perceived. Rather than following seasonal trends or leaning into predictable luxury, Zendaya’s looks referenced archival designs, paid homage to artistic legends, and challenged the boundaries of modern styling.
It pushed fashion coverage toward more nuanced analysis. Editors weren’t just describing dresses—they were unpacking influences, referencing past collections, and contextualizing historical impact.
The Legacy of the Tour
Years from now, the 2025 Dune press tour will be studied, not just as a high point in Zendaya’s fashion career, but as a case study in how red carpets can evolve into curated fashion narratives.
This was not fast fashion. This was slow, intentional, museum-grade styling. A masterclass in fashion direction that proved an actress can be a cultural tastemaker as much as a performer.
Zendaya didn’t just wear iconic outfits—she created iconic moments. And through those moments, she invited the world to rethink what fashion could truly be.
