Zendaya Channels Carrie Bradshaw—and Whitney Houston—in One Dress

The star of The Drama continues to stun fashion lovers with a major throwback look.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 12:51am

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Zendaya stepped out in a tiny white dress with a major backstory: Sarah Jessica Parker wore it as Carrie Bradshaw in the first Sex and the City movie, but before that, Whitney Houston sported it for a 1986 album promo shoot. The dress features an off-the-shoulder fit, sculpted ruching to one side, and a flirty little slit just above one thigh, augmented with giant hibiscus leaves and petals brushed with gold-leaf paint.

Why it matters

Zendaya continues to make fashion statements that pay homage to iconic pop culture moments, further cementing her status as a style icon. The dress has been worn by three legendary women, showcasing its enduring appeal and ability to transcend eras.

The details

Created by Ohio native Eugene Stutzman, the dress was first worn by Whitney Houston in 1986 for an album promo shoot. When Sarah Jessica Parker's Carrie Bradshaw wore it in the first Sex and the City movie, costume designer Patricia Field took it down to one flower to reference Carrie's signature flower brooches. Now Zendaya has donned the dress, keeping the Bradshaw-era flower, along with white pumps and a Cartier Love Bracelet.

  • In 1986, Whitney Houston wore the dress for an album promo shoot.
  • In the first Sex and the City movie, Sarah Jessica Parker wore the dress as Carrie Bradshaw.
  • On March 13, 2026, Zendaya wore the dress to the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards in Los Angeles.

The players

Zendaya

An actress and fashion icon who recently wore the iconic dress to the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards.

Sarah Jessica Parker

The actress who portrayed Carrie Bradshaw in the Sex and the City franchise and previously wore the dress in the first Sex and the City movie.

Whitney Houston

The legendary singer who first wore the dress in 1986 for an album promo shoot.

Eugene Stutzman

The Ohio native designer who created the iconic dress.

Patricia Field

The costume designer who modified the dress for Sarah Jessica Parker's Carrie Bradshaw character in the first Sex and the City movie.

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What they’re saying

“And just like that... I found it!”

— Law Roach, Zendaya's longtime stylist (Instagram)

“Maybe dresses can be our soul mates and then we can let men be just these great, nice guys to have fun with.”

— Charlotte York (Sex and the City)

What’s next

Zendaya is expected to continue wearing the dress as she promotes her upcoming film The Drama, which co-stars Robert Pattinson.

The takeaway

Zendaya's decision to wear this iconic dress, previously worn by two other legendary women, showcases her ability to pay homage to pop culture history while making a bold fashion statement. The dress's enduring appeal and ability to transcend eras highlights the power of fashion to connect us to the past and inspire the future.