It's easy to be cynical about a giant fashion collaboration with a great mass brand. From the astronomical budget and the relentless brand to the crowd of people behind the scenes, the whole can give the impression that the heart of an emoji replaces a real heart.
Enter Zendaya, an American generation Z darling, with her perfect features and her well-known doll attitude when it comes to saying what she thinks. Saturday night in Paris, she presented her first collaboration with Tommy Hilfiger, #TOMMYNOW, with enough courage to deal with all the audience (including Gigi Hadid, Tyra Banks and a few very excited French teens) get up and dance.
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But it turns out that the 22-year-old star was also cynical – at least in the beginning.
"Tommy called me," she said backstage in Paris before the show. "I did not really believe it [was him] first. Tommy Hilfiger on the phone? And he said: "Look, if you do a show with me, you can have what you want and do what you want. Become crazy. If you have a vision, tell me and we will run it together. And then, "she laughs", I really do not believe it! "
After trying to convince her creative partner and stylist Law Roach, she decided to try, telling Hilfiger: "I want to do a show inspired by women that allowed me to find myself in the position where I am. Honestly, I just wanted to say "thank you" through this show.I told Tommy, "If we do a show, that's what he needs." And Tommy says, " Awesome. Do it. "And he really meant it. Look."
She made a casting move – 59 black women ages 18 to 70 – including some women of color that Zendaya would like to thank for their contributions to fashion in Hollywood and beyond. Beverly Johnson, Veronica Webb and Beverly Peele, pioneering models, accompanied Pat Cleveland, who said behind the scenes: "Zendaya spoke about the Battle of Versailles, Studio 54 and the 70s and 80s … she really wanted someone who had lived there and lived it on the podium.In a way, "she smiles," I think this show is really based on the story of my life. " also hinted that may be Zendaya herself will play Pat Cleveland in a film based on her autobiography. (YES PLEASE.)
Pat Cleveland
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Beverly Johnson
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Veronica Webb
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Cleveland turned the track under a thunderous applause, but Grace Jones had the most screaming (and hiccups, and doubles taken by Instagram) when she closed the show in a metallic blazer and a bodysuit.
Grace Jones (!!!)
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"We said," We want Grace Jones, she represents so much beauty and power and she needs to be here, "says Zendaya." And one way or another, Tommy's team got there. "(Hint: it was with the help of casting director Michelle Lee.)
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"I went to Grace's fitting this morning," Law Roach said. "And she liked the clothes so much that we had a few tears." She said "I love everything", so we sent her everything in. She is the first person apart from Zendaya to own the complete collection. "
That includes many body-cut disco dresses, a ton of flared jeans (sorry for straight leg followers!), Wide-waisted trousers worn with striped knits and some subversive modifications to the ideals of beauty, including a striped clothing series. swimsuits that channel the original Barbie … but transform it into a modern superstar.
It is precisely this pivot of classic images of success and beauty (read: lean and white) that made this show work, even (perhaps especially?) From a designer like Hilfiger, whose success is due to African-American culture.
"Everyone has something different for which he is talented," Zendaya said. "We have to learn from experienced people, even if the world is changing.I'm still at the beginning of my career, and learning from Tommy to have a fashion line, it's extremely important to me." He's like the best teacher But it's also very cool – and I think it's rarer than you would realize – to have someone who is really interested in my point of view, other women like me and our points. of view, and who says: you have to bring to the table I can not? & # 39; This has been the coolest experience for me – having the feeling of being able to show him the perspective that I bring to the table, and also the fact that he really wants to know. "The world also wants to know it – at least if the million views expressed on it's Instagram story are a clue.
Speaking of clues, here is another one: you can download the complete collection online now, even if the Zodiac shirts are already almost exhausted!