Zendaya on Her ‘Squishy’ New Shoe Collection & How She Gets Those Fleeky Brows
Photo: Jane Kratochvil
Zendaya Coleman (who usually goes by her first name only) has done a lot over the past several years. She stars in and co-produces a top-rated Disney Channel show, had a pop single go platinum, and even wrote a book for tweens about the importance of self-confidence. Now, she—along with her stylist of five years, Law Roach (”at this point, she’s my annoying little sister!” he teases)—is ready for her first real foray into fashion with a brand new shoe collection.
Wednesday in New York, the model-esque teen (did we mention that she’s only 18?) held a sneak peek of the footwear line, called “Daya” for press and buyers. Featuring platforms, stilettos, flats, and sandals in super bright colors (along with black, natch), the collection is a trend friend’s dream. Laces, laser cut-outs, fringe, and metallic detailing are all prominent throughout. A modern-day (and more budget-conscious) Carrie Bradshaw would have a field day.
When it came time for interviews, Zendaya—looking chic beyond her years in a sophisticated black cut-out jumpsuit and her own Daya platform heels—settled down next to Roach with a small cheese pizza and got right to business.
So, first things first: why shoes? According to Zendaya, the needs of her family and friends were what motivated her to think feet-first. “A lot of them are just starting to get jobs and get interviews and get into that world, and then I have my sister, who’s a working woman with two kids and a husband,” she tells me. “These women don’t necessarily want to spend a bazillion dollars on a good shoe. They shouldn’t have to spend, like, two years trying to save up for their prom shoes.”
Photo: Jane Kratochvil
Inspired by Christian Louboutin’s classically-shaped ‘So Kate’ pumps, she set out to create a collection of footwear that had “the look for less, without looking like the look for less.”
“The ‘So Kate’ is our go to, good shoe,” she says, referring to Roach and herself. “It looks good on every woman: it fits with everything, you can wear it with literally jeans and a t-shirt, or you can wear it with the dopest ballgown. So that’s why we kind of created our own version, which is a little more comfortable—it’s a little squishier. It has a little bit of a thicker heel, but still has that look.”
The duo tag-teamed when designing Daya, with Roach overseeing the big picture, and Zendaya scrutinizing over details. “I’m a little more obsessive than him,” she explains. “I’m ridiculous; he’s sane, I’m insane… and that’s OK, and I accept that. He knows what women want, and I’m the one who goes in like, “Yes, but this buckle though… what about the metallic? And the padding in the shoes. The squishy! You’ve gotta have the squish.”
With our chat time wrapping up, I couldn’t stop myself from asking Zendaya about another of her enviable accomplishments: Her perfectly proportioned, somehow subtle-yet-bold eyebrows. What’s her secret?
Photo: Jane Kratochvil
“Honestly, I just use powder and an angled brush. I don’t even know the brand!” she tells me, though I wouldn’t fully accept that as a complete answer. “I get a taupe-y shade;” she continues. “You can get it from anywhere, it doesn’t matter, as long as it’s not too red. I get a slightly ashy taupe shade that someone would probably put in their crease when doing a cat eye. I just fluff it into my brows with an angled brush, brush ‘em with some brow gel, and call it a day.”
Of course, some people—like Zendaya—are just lucky enough to be naturally gifted with great brows. “You gotta take care of them,” she says. “So don’t pluck them like crazy… wait, don’t pluck ‘em—tweeze them. ‘Cause you’re not a chicken.” Whats the difference, I ask? “I don’t really know,” she laughs. “That’s what a makeup artist told me once, so I was like, OK! And also, another makeup artist tried to tell me that eyebrows aren’t identical twins, they’re fraternal. And I was like, ‘No, honey, my eyebrows are identical twins!”
Notes to self: One, buy brow powder. Two, acquire angled brush. Three, design a line of footwear. Four, reverse current age by 10 years. And finally… five, become Zendaya. Wish me luck?
Daya Footwear by Zendaya will be available in spring 2016.
More from Yahoo Style:
Zendaya Has a Message for Those Who Think Going Makeup-Free Is a Big Deal
Zendaya Is Now a Shoe Designer
Zendaya Schools Giuliana Rancic Over Her Ignorant Dreadlocks Remark
