Zendaya’s red-carpet appearances are closely watched, and on September 14 she arrived at the Emmy Awards in a look built almost entirely out of light. The actor, nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Euphoria, wore a custom Prada gown, Marie Claire and The Zoe Report both reported.
The gown
The dress started from a beige illusion mesh with a plunging neckline and fell to the floor. Marie Claire describes it as covered in crystals of different shapes and sizes, some with button backs. The Zoe Report said the clear and silver crystal beads worked like a chandelier. The base read as nearly bare, so the embellishment seemed to float on the body. The effect was part naked dress, part couture light fixture.
Law Roach styled the look. Her shoes were pointed satin Casadei pumps in a shade matched to the mesh, according to Marie Claire.
Pearls, reconsidered
The jewelry was notable. Zendaya wore Mikimoto diamonds and pearls. The Zoe Report identified pearl-and-diamond earrings and matching rings among the pieces. She finished the look with a Rolex Lady Datejust and her Jessica McCormack engagement ring, Marie Claire noted. Roach explained the thinking:
“I loved the idea of taking something as timeless as Mikimoto pearls and making them feel fresh, modern and young.” — Law Roach, via Marie Claire
The styling reverses the usual approach. Instead of a dramatic gown with quiet jewelry, the dress provides the sparkle and the classic pearls add a softer counterpoint.
The hair
The biggest surprise was her pixie cut. The Zoe Report says she debuted it earlier in the week at the Prada Paradoxe Photo Studio in New York. Marie Claire compared the Emmys styling to Halle Berry. With the short, sleek hair, all attention went to the neckline and the jewelry.
A runway idea, on the carpet
The timing of the gown also connects it to the season’s runway trends. The Zoe Report notes that allover and scattered beading was one of the major trends of the Spring 2027 shows. It appeared on bags, knitwear and dresses at Tory Burch, Ulla Johnson, Kallmeyer, Tibi and Carolina Herrera. Zendaya’s Prada was not part of those collections. Still, it shows how quickly a runway mood can reach the red carpet when a stylist is paying attention.
Why the look landed
In IOM’s view, this look worked because the concept was restrained. It had one material story told completely, one heritage jewelry house and one bold hair change. It was spectacular without feeling like a costume. On a night when The Zoe Report’s full red-carpet roundup ranged from Selena Gomez’s metallic gold to Keri Russell’s black leather, the look stood out for discipline as much as for shine.
See all sources
- Zendaya’s 2026 Emmys Prada Dress Is Dripping in Crystals, Marie Claire, 2026-09-14
- Zendaya’s Prada Gown Took This Spring 2027 Trend To The Emmy Awards, The Zoe Report, 2026-09-15
- All The Looks From The Emmy Awards 2026 Red Carpet, The Zoe Report, 2026-09-14
Lead image: illustrative photo by The Now Time on Unsplash.
