Zendaya Makes History at the 2021 CFDA Awards

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| LAST UPDATE 11/11/2021

By Joyce Ballard
Zendaya CFDA Awards look
Taylor Hill / Contributor via Getty Images

Our girl Zendaya made history on November 10 at the highly-anticipated CFDA Awards. The style goddess was honored as this year's Fashion Icon Award winner, making her the youngest-ever recipient. And naturally, her red carpet look for the event did not disappoint.

Zendaya Law Roach, stylist
Raymond Hall / Contributor via Getty Images

The Dune star worked with her right-hand man and stylist Law Roach on the evening's fit. Roach is no stranger to A-listers and has worked with the likes of Ariana Grande, Celine Dion, and Zendaya's beau Tom Holland. The power pair went all out for the CFDA Awards, bringing a mixture of classic accessories and a modern silhouette for a look that absolutely stunned.

Zendaya turned heads as she made her entrance in a red Vera Wang bandeau and skirt combo. But it obviously wasn't any old skirt: the floor-length piece featured a gorgeous peplum detail. The fashion icon paired the bold set with long braids and a few pieces of diamond jewelry.

Vera Wang Zendaya, CFDA
Taylor Hill / Contributor via Getty Images

"I think about red carpets as having their own characters and narratives," Zendaya explained of her fashion choices to InStyle earlier in November. She continued, "We build a little story for all the looks. It's like an extension of my acting career in a weird way - you just pop this wig on or whatever it is. Clothes sometimes are very emotional, so I get to embody these different faces - maybe they're of myself, or maybe they're alter egos. But I get to meet these different women through clothes."

Zendaya first premiere Target
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And while the Malcolm & Marie actress is now dressed by some of the biggest fashion houses, from Valentino to Vera Wang, that wasn't always the case. "When I was fourteen and at my first movie premiere, my outfit was a bunch of stuff that I had from Target," Zendaya revealed. "And I thought I was fly. I felt cool. To this day, I think that's really all that matters." That's the kind of energy we all need.

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Zendaya CFDA Fashion Icon
ANGELA WEISS / Contributor via Getty Images

When the Council for Fashion Designers of America announced Zendaya as the 2021 Fashion Icon Award recipient, they explained that the starlet's "journey to Fashion Icon superstar happened at supersonic speed." The org continued, "Time and again, she has proven that she is unafraid to take risks - from betting on newer talents like Peter Do to working with established houses like Valentino."

Cheers to our stylish gal and all she has to offer!