Zendaya’s Style Evolution: How She Styled 2 Very Different Giuseppe Zanotti Crystal Heels

Zendaya has experimented with dramatic fashion since her Disney days, and her footwear has evolved just as noticeably.

Six years before stepping out in crystal-covered Giuseppe Zanotti stilettos, she attended the Megamind premiere at Mann’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on October 30, 2010, wearing a playful mime-inspired look grounded by simple black ballet flats.

Zendaya pairs a layered pastel-pink dress and black tulle underskirt with simple black ballet flats at the Megamind premiere in Hollywood on October 30, 2010 (Credit: Michael Wright / WENN / FayesVision / Starbux)

By February 10, 2016, her approach was decidedly more grown-up. Arriving at ABC Studios in Los Angeles for an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the then-19-year-old actress paired sharp black tailoring with Giuseppe Zanotti “Carine” sandals, allowing the crystal-embellished heels to provide the look’s most eye-catching detail.

Zendaya complements her sleek sleeveless double-breasted vest with a cropped blonde wig and delicate necklace for her February 10, 2016, appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! (Credit: Michael Wright / WENN / FayesVision / Starbux)

Zendaya Talks Movies and Family on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

During the interview, Zendaya recalled the first R-rated movie she ever saw: the 2005 comedy Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo, which she watched with her father, Kazembe Ajamu Coleman.

“Yes, actually, I remember—it was by accident, so… This title just speaks for itself, Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo,” she laughed during her interview.

“That was the first one, with my dad! And my mom freaked out when she found out. She was like, ‘What did you take my daughter to see?!’ But you know what I mean… It was daddy-daughter day, it was an accident, it happened. I don’t think he knew how bad it was gonna be, you know what I’m saying? I don’t know, I was just too young to watch it, so I didn’t really get all of the humor and everything like that, but I have a cool dad, so my parents are like, ‘If you want to see something, it’s alright. If it scares you or whatever, it’s your fault. You wanted to see it.'”

Zendaya’s ankle-length trousers keep the focus on her crystal-embellished Giuseppe Zanotti sandals, while a cropped blonde wig adds another sharp element to the tailored look (Credit: Michael Wright / WENN / FayesVision / Starbux)

Zendaya Sharpens Her Tailoring With Giuseppe Zanotti Crystal Sandals

For the appearance, Zendaya wore a dark sleeveless double-breasted waistcoat by Jeffry Tan with slim, ankle-length black trousers. The cropped hem left her Giuseppe Zanotti “Carine” sandals fully visible, creating a clear contrast between the restrained tailoring and the shoes’ sparkling crystal straps.

The high-heeled sandals feature slim dark straps, an ankle strap, a towering stiletto heel, and a wide front strap covered in square-cut crystal embellishments. She finished the outfit with an Alex Woo Little Rock Star lightning-bolt necklace and a short blonde wig.

A closer look at Zendaya’s pedicure and Giuseppe Zanotti “Carine” sandals, featuring dark stiletto heels, ankle straps, and crystal-covered front straps accented with blue stones (Credit: Michael Wright / WENN / FayesVision / Starbux)

Zendaya later changed into jeans, a “Love” T-shirt by Fyodor Golan, and bow-detailed sandals for the televised appearance.

Zendaya Returns to Crystal Giuseppe Zanotti Heels at Glamour’s Women of the Year Awards

Nine months later, Zendaya returned to Giuseppe Zanotti crystal sandals for a very different look. On November 14, 2016, she attended the Glamour Women of the Year Awards at NeueHouse in Hollywood wearing a white Reem Acra Spring 2017 shirt dress with floral-embellished organza sleeves.

Zendaya wears a Reem Acra shirt dress with floral-embellished organza sleeves and crystal-covered Giuseppe Zanotti sandals at the 2016 Glamour Women of the Year Awards in Hollywood (Credit: FayesVision / Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

Caitlyn Jenner, Demi Lovato, and Jenna Dewan were also among the attendees.

Zendaya, then 20, posed on the red carpet before accepting her award. Her Reem Acra dress combined a traditional pointed collar and pearl-embellished buttons with sheer organza sleeves covered in dimensional pink floral appliqués. A fitted waist and short hem gave the otherwise classic shirt-dress silhouette a sharper red-carpet finish.

Zendaya wears her hair in a sleek, center-parted updo at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards in Los Angeles on November 14, 2016 (Credit: FayesVision / Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

She coordinated the pearl detailing on the dress with pearl drop earrings and a selection of pearl and diamond rings.

Zendaya coordinates pearl drop earrings with softly defined makeup and pink lip color (Credit: FayesVision / Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

Her brunette hair was swept into a polished low updo, while defined brows and soft pink lip color complemented the floral details on the sleeves.

Zendaya’s Reem Acra Spring 2017 dress combines pearl-embellished buttons, sheer floral-appliqué sleeves, a fitted waist, and a short hem (Credit: FayesVision / Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

Crystal T-Strap Sandals Add Sparkle to Zendaya’s Reem Acra Dress

Zendaya kept the pale color story going with white T-strap Giuseppe Zanotti sandals. The open-toe shoes feature crystal embellishments across the slender straps, adjustable ankle fastenings, and approximately four-inch stiletto heels.

While the black “Carine” sandals she wore earlier that year contrasted with dark tailoring, these white crystal sandals blended more closely with the Reem Acra dress while echoing its pearl and floral embellishments.

A closer look at Zendaya’s white Giuseppe Zanotti T-strap sandals, embellished with sparkling crystals

The exact crystal T-strap design is an older Giuseppe Zanotti style and is more likely to surface through resale or archival listings than the label’s current retail collection.

Giuseppe Zanotti crystal T-strap sandals feature slender straps, sparkling embellishments, and high stiletto heels

Where to Find Giuseppe Zanotti Embellished Sandals

Both Giuseppe Zanotti styles Zendaya wore in 2016 are older designs and are now more likely to turn up through resale channels than traditional retailers.

However, crystal embellishment remains a recurring part of the Italian label’s footwear collection. As of August 2026, Giuseppe Zanotti’s own site featured styles including the Patrice Crystal, Lena Crystal 90, Orchid Crystal Mule 50 and 90, Intriigo Croisée Crystal 90, and Intriigo Crystal Open-Toe 105, with prices ranging from roughly $995 to $1,750 before applicable sale reductions.

For shoppers drawn to the same jewelry-like sparkle as Zendaya’s crystal sandals, browse Giuseppe Zanotti’s current crystal styles.

Giuseppe Zanotti “Carine” sandals feature slender stiletto heels, black satin straps, and crystal-covered front bands accented with blue stones

Zendaya’s Statement Heels: From Crystal Sandals to Sculptural Pumps

Zendaya’s two Giuseppe Zanotti crystal looks from 2016 are part of a much broader footwear story. Over the years, she has paired couture and sharply tailored looks with everything from crystal-covered stilettos and towering platforms to unconventional sculptural pumps, making the shoes an integral part of the outfit rather than an afterthought.