AceShowbiz - Zendaya made a memorable fashion statement at the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards, held on March 12 at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles. The singer-actress paid tribute to two legendary style icons—Whitney Houston and Sarah Jessica Parker's celebrated character Carrie Bradshaw—with a remarkable dress that has a rich history in pop culture.

At the event, Zendaya wore a white frock designed by Eugene Stutzman, featuring intricate gold detailing. The standout element of the dress was a dramatic fabric flower that emerged from the shoulder, creating a bold and elegant silhouette. Cameras captured Zendaya striking confident poses and sharing laughter with photographers, embodying a model-like poise on the red carpet.

This iconic piece holds significant fashion heritage. Zendaya's stylist, Law Roach, shared the moment on social media, declaring it "An ICONIC piece of fashion history at Essence Women in Hollywood today" on X (formerly Twitter). On Instagram, Roach excitedly revealed, "And just like that.... I found it!!" referring to the rediscovery of the gown.

The dress originally gained fame when worn by Whitney Houston in 1987. It was later immortalized on the cover of Life magazine following Houston’s passing in 2012. The garment’s legacy continued when it appeared in the opening sequence of the 2008 film Sex and the City: The Movie, worn by Sarah Jessica Parker’s character, Carrie Bradshaw, linking the dress to two very different yet iconic women.

The collaboration between Law Roach and Zendaya around this historical dress comes shortly after Roach made headlines for suggesting that Zendaya and her longtime partner, Tom Holland, might already be married. In a viral video, Roach stated, "The wedding has already happened. You missed it," fueling speculation about their relationship status.

Aside from her style moments, Zendaya is preparing for a busy year with several high-profile projects on the horizon. She will star opposite Robert Pattinson in the upcoming film The Drama, and she is set to conclude her portrayal of Rue Bennett in HBO’s acclaimed series Euphoria, which is expected to wrap with its highly anticipated third season. Both projects are scheduled to premiere in April 2026.

Meanwhile, Euphoria has recently been the center of attention for reasons beyond its storyline. Labrinth, a frequent collaborator who scored every season and co-created one of the show’s standout songs, "I'm Tired," posted a strongly worded message on Instagram. On March 13, he shared, "I'M DONE WITH THIS INDUSTRY," followed by harsh language directed at Columbia Records and the series itself, sparking conversations among fans and industry insiders alike.

As Zendaya continues to shine both on and off the screen, her tribute to fashion icons like Whitney Houston and Carrie Bradshaw through this historic dress highlights her influence in connecting past and present cultural moments. The event at ESSENCE celebrated Black women in Hollywood, and Zendaya’s choice perfectly encapsulated the spirit of honoring legacy while embracing modern glamour.