Zendaya’s status as red carpet royalty didn’t just happen overnight. The former Disney star and her longtime Image Architect and stylist, Law Roach, steadily worked hard over the years to prove their fashion bona fides to the world. Nowhere is that more apparent than when looking back at Zendaya’s history at the Met Gala. It all led up to the 2024 event, when the actor hit the Met steps in a pair of vintage ball gowns that nearly shut down the red carpet.
Over the years, the actor has gone from a guest of designers to a moment-creating VIP capable of commanding all the attention on one of the world’s busiest red carpets. Here, a look back at all of Zendaya’s Met Gala looks, including her after-party 'fits, from 2015 until now.
2025: “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”
In 2025, Zendaya leaned into the evening’s dress code with a bridal white look from Louis Vuitton.
The outfit paid homage to the year’s coinciding exhibition, but also referenced Bianca Jagger’s famous 1971 wedding suit.
After the event, the actor ditched her all-white look for a red, floral Patrick Kelly dress to attend the after parties.
2024: “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion”
After a lengthy five-year hiatus, Zendaya made her Met Gala comeback in 2024. As one of the night’s co-chairs, the actor nailed the “The Garden Of Time” dress code in a custom John Galliano Margiela look that referenced the designer’s time at Christian Dior.
Of course, no stone was left unturned as the actor finished off her gown with a Stephen Jones headpiece and dramatic eye makeup.
After most of the gala’s guests made their way up the steps, Zendaya had one last go at the carpet. She slipped into a piece of archival fashion in honor of the night’s theme, wearing a Galliano-era Givenchy gown that she styled with an archival Alexander McQueen headpiece.
The train! The drama!
She ended the night with a custom Loewe dress.
2019: “Camp: Notes on Fashion”
The theme of the 2019 Met Gala was “Camp,” and Zendaya and her stylist, Law Roach, decided to put on a show. Enlisting Tommy Hilfiger to design a light-up dress, the duo reenacted Cinderella right on the red carpet.
Naturally, Roach stepped into the role of Fairy Godfather.
Please note Zendaya’s pumpkin coach bag, which came courtesy of the undisputed American master of bedazzled evening minaudières, Judith Leiber.
Of course, they left a glass slipper behind, as if you had to ask.
The thing about the Met Gala is that after all those red carpet theatrics, you are expected to go inside and eat a dinner. So Zendaya changed into a flowy gown in a delicate shade of lilac—but kept her pumpkin bag close.
After parties can be serious business, and Zendaya hit the circuit that year in a black velvet suit. Note, however, her purple shoes, which she kept on after the main event.
2018: “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination”
Zendaya showed up ready for battle in honor of the Catholicism-themed edition of the Met Gala. Her custom Versace gown was a nod to Saint Joan of Arc. Yes, she managed to get one of the most definitive Italian fashion houses to find inspiration in the Patron Saint of France. In some ways, Zendaya may be more powerful than the EU Parliament.
Once inside, Zendaya removed the chest piece and shoulders for a slightly more comfortable fit.
For Versace’s official after party, she paired a Versace skirt with a n:Philanthropy tee.
2017: “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between”
Not everyone is on theme every year, and this maximalist gown from Dolce & Gabbana wasn’t really in conversation with the avant-garde dress code. It was, however, breathtaking.
At the afters that year, Zendaya stuck to both Dolce and her floral theme. You could argue that the intentionally unfinished detailing on the shoulders and lapels was in line with Kawakubo’s sartorial themes of deconstruction.
2016: “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology”
Zendaya attended the 2016 edition as a guest of Michael Kors, and her look that night proved she had more in common with Liza Minnelli than the fact that both of their names include the letter “Z.” Her golden gown’s inspiration was straight out of Studio 54 and she sported a Minnelli-ish black bob.
At the after-party, she kept the gold going with a go-go-inspired minidress and boots courtesy of Michael Kors.
2015: “China: Through the Looking Glass”
For her very first Met Gala, Zendaya wore a sculptural minidress from Fausto Puglisi.
She switched into a black and brown skirt suit for the after parties that year.