Zendaya Debuts Edgiest Red Carpet Look Yet at Met Gala 2024

You won't rue the day Zendaya wore this 'fit.

The Euphoria star dropped jaws at the 2024 Met Gala on May 6, when she arrived in another serious style slay as co-chair of the event alongside Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny and Chris Hemsworth.

For the red carpet event in New York, Zendaya wore a Maison Margiela mermaid-cut gown complete with hummingbird details and poison ivy vibes. Her style—which fit the "Garden of Time" theme of the "Sleeping Beauty: Reawakening Fashion" exhibition—also included a veiled fascinator and bold maroon eye makeup, styled by Law Roach.

As Law told Live From E!, "It was inspired by John Galliano." (See all the stars at the Met Gala here.)

The ensemble was a last-minute decision for the fashion team, as Law told The New York Times in an interview published May 2 that he hadn't even seen Zendaya's gown yet, adding, "The dress isn't even made."

But this Met Gala is "very special" for the the Spider-Man actress, as she told E! News last month, because she's celebrating with her Challengers costume designer Jonathan Anderson—Loewe's creative director—who is serving as honorary chair alongside TikTok CEO Shou Chew.

Zendaya noted, "It felt like the right time to try to go back to the Met."

And when it comes to the inspiration behind her style moments, the 27-year-old explained that "being on the shier side" motivates her to use fashion to "experiment" and express herself.

"I know, why do I do this for a living if I'm a shy person? I ask myself that every day," she joked. "It just adds this layer of protection and confidence. I get to kind of create these characters, almost like in films."

This marks Zendaya's grand return to the Met Gala after five years away. Her last appearance was in 2019, when she embraced fairytale vibes for the "Camp" theme by going as Cinderella with a light-up dress by Tommy Hilfiger. 

"This Met stressed me out," she told British Vogue afterward. "I got there, and it wasn't ready. It was supposed to do a little bit more than it did, like it was supposed to start smaller and get bigger." 

While saying she was "so grateful" for her style team, Zendaya noted, "They were under a lot of pressure, you know what I'm saying? It needed a week."

The Dune actress couldn't attend the bash in more recent years, including in 2022 when she passed due to scheduling conflicts with filming Challengers, her latest movie about competitive tennis. "I hate to disappoint my fans here, but I will be working," she told Extra at the time. "Your girl's got to work and make some movies, so I wish everyone the best—I will be playing tennis."

Since then, Zendaya and her fashion team have undergone some big changes. Her longtime stylist Law announced his retirement in March 2023, writing on Instagram at the time, "My Cup is empty….. thank you to everyone who've supported me and my career over the years."

He later clarified that he'll remain involved in the fashion world but is no longer aiming to work with celebs. 

"What I'm retiring from is the celebrity styling part of it: the being in service and at service of other people," he told Vogue. "That's what I'm retiring from, yeah."

As for his bond with Zendaya? Law made it clear they'll remain in touch. 

"We are forever!" he tweeted last year. "She's my little sister and it's real love not the fake industry love."

Keep reading to see Zendaya's heart-stopping look and more celebs at the Met Gala.

In Maison Margiela.

In Gaurav Gupta.

In custom Schiaparelli Haute Couture.

In Rodarte.

In Erdem.

In Chloe.

In Thom Browne.

In Willy Chavarria.

Bee in Alexander McQueen SS16 RTW.

In custom Maison Margiela.

In Tom Ford.

In Tom Ford.

In custom Jean Paul Gaultier.

In custom Maison Margiela.

In Alexander McQueen FW22 RTW.

In Danielle Frankel.

In Christian Dior SS22 Couture and Christian Dior.

In custom Loewe.

In Ludovic de Saint Sernin and Jared jewelry.

In Thom Browne.

In Chloe.

In Thom Browne.

Don't miss E!'s Live From E!: 2024 Met Gala red carpet Monday, May 6, starting at 6 p.m. for every must-see moment from fashion's biggest night. And tune in to E! News Tuesday, May 7, at 11 p.m. for a full recap of every jaw-dropping look and all the behind-the-scenes moments.

To see more of Zendaya's euphoric style serves, keep reading.

Zendaya rocks a two-piece look to the 2022 Oscars, featuring a cropped silky blouse and bedazzled skirt.

Zendaya sports a spring/summer Valentino gown at the premiere of season two of Euphoria in January 2022.

Zendaya wore a stunning outfit from Alaïa's Spring/Summer 2022 collection during a September 2021 photocall for Dune in Paris.

Zendaya arrived at the Dune: Part Two world premiere Feb. 15 in a fembot-inspired vintage Mugler bodysuit. The striking futuristic ensemble, which she paired with jewels from Bulgari, features clear panels around her chest, stomach, arms, thighs and butt. 

Zendaya walked the red carpet in a gorgeous Balmain dress for the 2021 Venice International Film Festival. 

The actress wowed at the 2019 Met Gala in this Cinderella-inspired light-up gown.

Zendaya got whimsical in a black velvet dress with horse detailing around the bust.

Zendaya showcased a colorful orange mini dress and matching head scarf for a TV appearance in NYC.

Zendaya rocked a backless red and black dress for her Spider-Man: Far From Home premiere in Hollywood.

For the 2019 Emmy Awards, the fashionista flashed major leg in a gorgeous green gown with a nude illusion bodice and thigh-high slit.

The PCA nominated actress rocks a one-strapped black gown with silver rope detail at the 2019 E!'s Peoples Choice Awards. 

The Euphoria actress wears a unique pink Tom Ford bustier with matching skirt during the 2020 Critics' Choice Awards. 

Zendaya is simply statuesque in this floor-length nude gown at the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscars party.

Zendaya shows off her toned tummy in a criss-crossed string outfit with slit sleeves.

The actress rocked a white cropped suit with matching pointy shoes at the GQ Men of the Year awards.

For the Met Gala, Zendaya channeled Joan of Arc with this sensational dress and short bob.

For CinemaCon 2018 in Las Vegas, the star wears red on red with white pumps and it's amazing.

The Greatest Showman star wears a brown mini dress with a balloon-like skirt and can't-miss gold earrings.

This is the anti-princess' perfect ball gown. The black is elegant while the red skirt is mercurial. 

The way the light touches the actress' gold lamé trench almost looks like foil on fire. 

The Greatest Showman actress was literally all wrapped up when her promoting her latest flick on Live With Kelly and Ryan. Everything from the pinstripe blouse to the dual-tone skirt complemented her body. 

Zendaya's shimmering Vivetta suit is a total show-stopper. We can't look away.

How cool does she look in this pajama-inspired Ashish ensemble and Le Silla heels? This is how you do comfy on a red carpet.

How do you make a high-fashion look remotely casual? This is it. The star threw a plain white tee into the mix with culottes, heels and a gorgeous Gucci bag.

The actress wore bright hues to the Barcelona premiere of Spider-Man: Homecoming—looking like a true style star. Pairing emerald trousers with a red, white and sheer sweater and white pumps takes serious skill and confidence to pull off...all of which she has, ten fold.

In a short visit to Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week the actress went all white in this Ralph and Russo dress and Le Silla pumps.

Zendaya steps out in Paris in an elegant white, embellished gown by Ralph and Russo.

The singer shut down the MET Gala with this daring tropical inspired number by Dolce and Gabbana. 

In a Reem Acra white, floral sleeved dress and Giuseppe Zanotti sandals the actress attends the 2016 Glamour Women of the Year Awards as an honoree.

Zendaya bares her back in this gorgeous light green gown by Zuhair Murado paired with bronze Le Silla heels.

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