TikTok creator Zainab Jiwa experienced a viral moment at the London premiere of the film "The Odyssey" when actress Zendaya reacted to her striking gold gown. Jiwa, 29, was documenting her preparation for the event in a "get-ready-with-me" video when she encountered Zendaya on the red carpet.
In the widely shared video, which garnered 19 million views on TikTok, Zendaya's jaw dropped upon seeing Jiwa's custom-made outfit, complete with a hood. Jiwa described the interaction as a brief "stare-off" followed by Zendaya's compliments. "She was like, 'Oh my god, amazing, amazing,' and then she just walked off," Jiwa recounted. "I’m still in shock. The thought of her noticing my outfit blew my mind."
Jiwa, who is Muslim and wears a hijab, often stands out at premieres for covering her hair. She views incorporating modest wear into themed outfits as part of the creative challenge, stating, "Even though you're covered, you can still find a way to be on theme."
The interaction has highlighted the growing influence of independent creators like Jiwa, who are increasingly making an impact on red carpet fashion, sometimes seen as rivalling Hollywood's established style trends. Jiwa's ability to create a custom look that captured attention at a major film premiere demonstrates this emerging trend.