5 Incredible Details You Must Know About Zendaya's Outfits in Malcom & Marie

Published on 1/27/2021 at 4:02 PM

Since the start of lockdown, Zendaya and her stylist, Image Architect Law Roach, have enjoyed what are possibly some of the most career-defining moments together. Zendaya paid tribute to supermodel Donyale Luna on the cover of Essence in a GiGi Hunter knit gown chosen by Law. He dressed her in her first campaign for luxury brand Valentino. They got to play with her masculine and tomboy side for GQ. And when it came time for Zendaya to focus on her new Netflix film Malcolm & Marie — which she worked on with Euphoria creator Sam Levinson — she recommended Law for pulling the costumes.

"I'm so grateful to Zendaya for allowing me to work with her in this capacity. I've been working with her for so long. I've never gotten to work on any of her TV or film projects, so the fact that she would even mention me to Sam as a potential option was so emotional. I'm so grateful for the opportunity," Law told me when I spoke to him.

"[Samantha McMillen] got a chance to figure out who Malcolm was and I got my own chance to figure out who Marie was separately. And when you see them together, it kind of works."

Law considers the magazines and editorial jobs with Zendaya to be like two kids playing dress up, but this was all the more special. It's true, the movie is filmed entirely in black and white, and that did affect Law's process, as he had to learn about how fabric — specifically Marie's metallic dress he was tasked to create from scratch — would move under different lighting. Zendaya also did her own hair and makeup for the low-budget film, as she often does for red carpet events, and her gold eyeshadow was a standout. Consider all of that, plus the fact that Law never talked to John David Washington's stylist, Samantha McMillen, who was creating JDW's look for Malcolm independently.

"I think that it was actually good for the process, right? It was like, she got a chance to figure out who Malcolm was and I got my own chance to figure out who Marie was separately. And when you see them together, it kind of works." Oh Law, it definitely works. The beautiful movie, which explores a very an intense and emotional relationship, will be available to stream on Feb. 5, and the outfits are all worth learning about. Read on to digest some of the surprising fashion details, then watch the trailer for Malcolm & Marie after the jump.

Malcolm & Marie Were Styled Separately For the Entire Film

"Samantha McMillen [John David Washington's stylist] and I never spoke. We were both just doing what we do — styling for our clients who actually, in our world, would have showed up at the same event without necessarily having spoken about what they were wearing. Sam had her own process that was, I'm sure, similar to what I did, but I think that because I was creating something from scratch [the dress], my work might have been a bit more intensive. We didn't end up speaking until the end, which is, I think, also quite remarkable and very interesting to the story," Law said.

Marie's Metallic Dress Was Designed by Jason Rembert

"Sam [Levinson] said, 'Law, I want you to create a timeless, iconic dress that in 20 years when people watch this movie — that dress was still be relevant and still be beautiful.' Thanks a lot, Sam. No pressure. Because the film would be shot in black and white, it was really important to him that we chose a dress with fabric that had movement — something that could soak up the light and be reflective in a way."

"We had some other dresses that didn't work, then I reached out to one of my best friends and fellow stylist Jason Rembert [of Aliétte]. I wanted to give him the opportunity to work with me to create that timeless, iconic piece. And so it became Jason and I sharing references and him sketching. I sent those sketches to Sam and Zendaya and we came up with their favorites and sent that back to Jason. Then it was time for fabric, so Jason and I went on a fabric-store run; me on FaceTime with him actually in the store, and we chose 10 or 12 fabrics. I sent those back to Sam and Zendaya, they did a lighting test and camera test with the fabrics, and that's how we ended up with the one you see in the final product," Law explained, confirming that Jason made a few different dresses that were slight variations, and doubles of the one you see in the film.

Jason Rembert's Sketch of Marie's Dress For Malcolm & Marie

Marie Wore Pantyhose With Her Dress — This Is Important!

"The pantyhose were written into the script. So I had to make sure that we found a dress that would complement her wearing pantyhose. The way Sam wrote about them was so beautiful, and for me, one of the most beautiful shots of the film is when she drops the dress in the bathroom and we see the pantyhose with her bare back. Marie is just that certain type of girl who would wear pantyhose with that type of dress," Law said.

Marie's Ribbed Tank Top Is From Aerie

"The tank top and underwear reference was actually from Nicole Kidman in Eyes Wide Shut. We pulled from a lot of brands, but the one she wears is actually Aerie from American Eagle. It was just the perfect silhouette with the perfect fit. It felt like Marie. It felt like a girl who, although she was arguing with her boyfriend, still has this overt sexuality to her. There's something innocent about the white tank top and brief, too," Law explained.

Marie's Floral Robe Is Actually From Zendaya's Closet

"We actually pulled the robe from Zendaya's closet, so that is a piece of Zendaya that made the film. It was just a lot of making the right choice for who we thought Marie was, and what she would wear to bed while she's in the middle of a fight with her boyfriend," Law said.