Zendaya once again proved why she's one of Hollywood's most anticipated red carpet stars. At the Los Angeles premiere of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the Emmy-winning actress embraced dramatic method dressing with a custom-inspired couture look that paid tribute to Marvel's iconic web-slinger without wearing a literal superhero costume.
Joined by co-star and husband Tom Holland, Zendaya delivered one of the most talked-about fashion moments of the Spider-Man: Brand New Day press tour, blending high fashion with subtle comic book references.
© WireImageZendaya's Spider-Man premiere dress featured couture with a Marvel twist
For the film's Los Angeles premiere, Zendaya wore a striking black satin gown from Ashi Studio's Fall 2026 couture collection. The architectural dress featured a plunging neckline, sculpted corset bodice, and oversized sculptural ruffles that created dramatic volume around her hips and train.
The most eye-catching detail, however, was the pair of thin curved extensions rising from the shoulders. Fashion observers quickly compared them to spider legs or insect antennae, reinforcing the evening's Spider-Man theme. The gown also featured sharply tailored lines that emphasized Zendaya's signature minimalist glamour while delivering maximum impact.
The beauty look completed the spider-inspired aesthetic
Zendaya's beauty look was equally theatrical. Her hair was slicked back into a sleek ponytail with sculpted curls arranged across her forehead. Beauty fans immediately nicknamed the style "Spider Bangs" because the carefully molded strands resembled spider legs stretching across her hairline.
© WireImageThe look was created by Moroccanoil Stylist Ambassador Ursula Stephen, who shared that the team “wanted to be super intentional for this premiere, so our inspiration for this look was a spider.”
Stephen started with clean, wet hair and prepped strands with Moroccanoil Treatment Original. Then, section by section, applied the Sculpting Pomade to the front half of the head, then brushed and slicked back the hair, leaving the back free.
Next, Ursula applied the Curl Control Mousse to the loose hair and scrunch. Diffuse the back and dry the top using a blow dryer. Once the hair has dried, gather it into a low ponytail.
© WireImageTaking extension pieces, she places them on the forehead using the Moroccanoil Styling Gel - Strong to keep them in place and then finishes with the Luminous Hairspray Strong to lock it all in.
© FilmMagicZendaya paired the intentional hairstyle with smoky charcoal eye makeup, soft nude lips and glowing skin, creating a polished yet mysterious finish. Diamond chandelier earrings from Maison Boucheron added sparkle without competing with the dramatic silhouette.
Tom Holland complemented Zendaya on the red carpet
Tom Holland opted for a rich burgundy suit with a red shirt and dark tie, a subtle color palette many fans connected to Spider-Man's signature costume.
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© Sony Pictures via Getty ImagesAlthough the couple posed separately for many photos, they also shared several red carpet moments, continuing their tradition of coordinating looks without appearing overly matched. Their appearance marked one of their biggest joint promotional events for the film ahead of its theatrical release.
Zendaya continued her Spider-Man fashion story throughout the press tour
The Los Angeles premiere wasn't the first time Zendaya incorporated Spider-Man references into her wardrobe.
Throughout the global press tour, she embraced themed fashion with vintage spiderweb-inspired gowns, archival Versace pieces featuring web motifs, and custom looks that referenced spiders through silhouettes, embellishments, and accessories rather than obvious superhero branding.
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© VCG via Getty Images
© Deadline via Getty ImagesFashion critics have praised Law Roach's approach for balancing couture craftsmanship with storytelling, making each appearance feel connected to the film while remaining unmistakably Zendaya.
Zendaya's red carpet style keeps dominating fashion conversations
Zendaya and longtime stylist Law Roach have become known for treating premieres like extensions of the films themselves. Rather than relying solely on glamorous gowns, the duo often creates narrative-driven fashion moments that reference characters, themes or visual motifs.
For Spider-Man: Brand New Day, that strategy translated into a wardrobe filled with web-inspired textures, spider silhouettes and dramatic couture shapes. The Los Angeles premiere served as the culmination of that vision, with the Ashi Studio gown becoming the standout look of the entire promotional campaign.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day marks a new chapter
Spider-Man: Brand New Day reunites Tom Holland as Peter Parker and Zendaya as MJ, while introducing the next phase of Peter's story following the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home. The filmmakers have described the movie as both a continuation and a fresh beginning for the character, exploring a more mature version of Spider-Man after the world has forgotten Peter Parker's identity.
FAQ
Who designed Zendaya's Spider-Man: Brand New Day premiere dress?
Zendaya wore a black couture gown from Ashi Studio's Fall 2026 collection featuring sculptural details inspired by spider imagery.
Why was Zendaya's dress compared to a spider?
The gown included curved shoulder extensions resembling spider legs or antennae, while the sculptural silhouette echoed insect-inspired design elements.
When is Spider-Man: Brand New Day releasing?
The Marvel and Sony film is scheduled to open in theaters on July 31, 2026.
