Zendaya has solidified her reputation as a master of method dressing during the international press tour for her new film, "The Odyssey." The 29-year-old actress has consistently channeled her character, Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, warfare, and handicraft, through a curated selection of Grecian-style gowns and accessories. The film, an adaptation of Homer's epic, features Zendaya as the divine protector of Odysseus, portrayed by Matt Damon.
The tour kicked off in London in early July, with Zendaya making a statement at a photocall in a custom Jacquemus dress paired with an attached headscarf, offering an early glimpse of the tour's thematic direction. This was followed by the London premiere, where she stunned in a bespoke Schiaparelli gown featuring a breastplate bodice and a matching choker. The couture creation, from Daniel Roseberry's fall/winter 2026 collection, was reportedly flown directly from Paris Couture Week to London.
The tour then moved to Paris, where Zendaya opted for an archival white Givenchy dress designed by Alexander McQueen in 1997 for a photocall. She complemented this with a striking mask from the same designer. The Paris premiere saw her in another custom ensemble, this time from Louis Vuitton, featuring a cut-out gown with a ruffled cape.
In New York, Zendaya continued her thematic dressing. For a daytime appearance, she wore an archival Alberta Ferretti minidress paired with Sophia Webster heeled gladiators. Another outfit featured a white T-shirt midi dress with a daring cut-out.
The New York premiere presented perhaps her most dramatic look: a strapless white gown by Matières Fécales, complete with large feather wings, a clear nod to Icarus. The ensemble was finished with a thigh-high slit and chandelier earrings.
For subsequent interviews, Zendaya showcased a gold Jitrois dress with a bustier corset silhouette, later changing into a plunging gold patterned blazer and matching miniskirt as the press tour concluded.
"The Odyssey" is Christopher Nolan's ambitious adaptation of Homer's epic, with a reported $250 million budget, making it his most expensive film to date. The star-studded cast also includes Anne Hathaway as Odysseus's queen, Lupita Nyong'o, Charlize Theron, Robert Pattinson, and Travis Scott, among others. Zendaya and her husband, Tom Holland, who also appears in the film, have recently spoken about their shared experience. Holland noted that Zendaya's confidence and bold choices on set boosted his own, while Zendaya described being cast alongside him as "the dream."