Zendaya’s Method Dressing for Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ Throws the Spotlight on Gladiator Sandals

Zendaya is betting on gladiator sandals as her summer footwear of choice while promoting Christopher Nolan’s upcoming epic ‘The Odyssey,’ and the look is already sparking a broader fashion conversation. The Emmy-winning actor, styled by longtime collaborator Law Roach, stepped out in an archival white Spring 2008 Alberta Ferretti tunic paired with knee-high Sophia Webster gladiator heels, according to Harper’s Bazaar and Runway Live. The outfit marries ancient warrior aesthetics with a distinctly 2010s throwback.

"Call it the 'Odyssey' effect."

ELLEZendaya Is Bringing Back the Gladiator Sandal

The ensemble is a clear example of method dressing, with the fashion choices directly echoing the film’s ancient Greek setting. The Cut noted that Zendaya “channels gladiator style in armor-inspired outfit,” with the sandals evoking a Homer-era goddess vibe. The footwear in particular comes straight from 2014, as the Cut pointed out, marking a notable departure from the minimalist flip-flops and barely-there styles that have dominated recent summers.

"Zendaya is helping revive the early-aughts gladiator sandal trend through her method dressing."

Runway Live framed the choice as a deliberate provocation in the summer shoe debate, writing that the dramatic knee-high lacing “tests whether dramatic knee-high lacing can return.” The outlet questioned whether such a bold early-2010s silhouette can find a place in a season that has largely favored understated sandals. The conversation comes as method dressing itself becomes a staple of red-carpet strategy, with actors using wardrobe to build narrative interest around upcoming projects.

Whether the gladiator revival sticks remains to be seen, but Zendaya’s ability to generate buzz, even with a single pair of sandals, underscores her influence on fashion cycles. As she steps into the promotional campaign for Nolan’s film, the gladiator sandal may once again claim a spot in the summer rotation.