View ALL53 Photos
“The Odyssey” press tour held its grand finale on Tuesday night with the film’s New York City premiere, featuring the cast in peak Grecian-inspired style mode. Zendaya, who plays Athena in the film and regularly favors method dressing, opted for ethereal elegance, capturing the essence of the Greek goddess in a white Matières Fécales gown that took the divine imagery running through her wardrobe to its most extravagant point
So, how did the actress’ longtime collaborator Law Roach pull off this (Greek) godly fashion feat? From sculptural white gowns to an archival Givenchy look rooted in Greek mythology, WWD breaks down ’s Athena-inspired wardrobe and the history of the mythological character
You May Also Like
Who Is Athena?
Athena is depicted in Homer’s “The Odyssey” as one of Odysseus’ greatest advocates and divine allies. Known for her reit the needs of those she tries to protect, which, in the case of Homer’s epic poem, includes Odysseus and his family. She’s a protector, warrior and a peacemaker who intervenes to end the bloodshed in the final act of “The Odyssey.”
How Has Athena Been Depicted in Pop Culture?
©Hallmark Entertainment/Courtes
Zendaya joins several interpretations of Athena on the big and small screen. Isabella Rossellini played the goddess in NBC’s 1997 miniseries adaptation of “The Odyssey,” with a wardrobe that artfully harkened to quintessential Greek mythological garb
©Disney+/Courtesy Everett Colle
Melina Kanakaredes later appeared as Athena in the 2010 film “Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief.” More recently, Oscar nominee Andra Day took on the role during the second season of the Disney+ series “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” appearing in an episode released in December 2025
How Did Style Zendaya During ‘The Odyssey’ Press Tour?
Throughout “The Odyssey” press tour, Zendaya collaborated with longtime stylist Law Roach on a wardrobe evocative of ethereal energy and distinctly Greek god motifs. White emerged as a signature color for the Emmy Award-winning actress’ attire, beginning with a custom Jacquemus dress featuring a diamond-shaped bodice, flowing back and streamlined silhouette at the London photo call on July 5. Roach posted a video of the first look on Instagram with the simple caption, “The Essence of Athena…… Z wearing custom Jacquemus.”
Zak Hussein
One day later, at the London premiere, Zendaya wore the closing look from the Schiaparelli fall 2026 couture collection runway. The dress recalled classical Greek sculpture through a molded bustier in white glazed porcelain-effect silicone, racerback and lacing details and mirrored fringe embroidered with a white-to-mirror sfumato gradient
Zendaya’s Paris photo call look took the Grecian styling cues to a new level. The actress wore a selection from Givenchy’s spring 1997 couture collection — a white dress with long sleeves and voluminous, sculptural elements. She added a gilded, structural face mask for even more intrigue
The ethereal qualities continued at the Paris premiere, with a custom design by Louis Vuitton creative director Nicolas Ghesquière. Zendaya wore a long white cutout dress with a matching cropped bolero with frilled lace detailing. She accessorized with jewelry by Messika
Christopher Polk
The finale of Zendaya’s “The Odyssey” press tour featured the actress in a design courtesy of avant-garde fashion label Matières Fécales. The dress hailed from the brand’s fall 2025 ready-to-wear collection, with a plunging, asymmetric neckline, intricate ruching and thigh-high slit. Statement wings exuded ethereal excess while creating a powerful aesthetic alongside Chopard jewelry pieces and sculptural heel-less shoes designed by Matières Fécales in collaboration with Christian Louboutin.
“The Odyssey,” which also stars Lupita Nyong’o, Anne Hathaway and Charlize Theron, hits theaters this Friday
‘The Odyssey’ Press Tour: Grecian-Inspired Style From Zendaya, Anne Hathaway and More
View Gallery
Retailers Increasing Investments in Technology
- Industry News
- By
Arthur Zaczkiewicz
America at 250: The Industrial Roots of American Style, 1801-1825
- Fashion Features
- By
Tonya Blazio-Licorish
From the Archive: Celebrating 30 Seasons of WNBA Full-court Style
- Fashion Features
- By
Tonya Blazio-Licorish
