At the New York premiere of 'The Drama,' Zendaya's slicked-back, wet-look hairstyle presented more than a red carpet moment; it recalled a persistent theme in lingerie's visual history. The aesthetic of emerging from water - glistening, draped, and revealed - has long been employed to suggest sensuality and liberation. This is not merely a hairstyle but a continuation of a narrative woven through fashion imagery for decades.
Consider the parallels with Schiaparelli, the house behind her feathered gown. In the 1930s, founder Elsa Schiaparelli collaborated with artists like Salvador Dalí, creating designs that challenged form and perception, much like this aquatic hairstyle subverts traditional glamour. The look's deliberate, textured crunch brings to mind the tactile nature of materials like silk crepe or satin, often used in lingerie to catch the light and cling to the form.
Zendaya's evolving 'bixie' cut, which has referenced 1920s flappers and 1960s pin curls throughout this press tour, now enters this liquid realm. The wet-hair trend itself periodically resurfaces, each iteration reflecting its era's attitude toward the body and display. It is a style that implies a moment just passed, a garment just removed, connecting to lingerie's power to hint at the private self presented in public view. Her look translates the essence of aquatic allure from the intimate sphere of the boudoir to the grandeur of the premiere, proving that inspiration, much like a classic silhouette, never truly dries up.
Originally reported by WWD