Zendaya's Looks in 'The Drama' Tell a Bigger Story

Costume designer Katina Danabassis breaks down the subtle symbolism behind her character's wardrobe.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 3:00pm

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An extreme close-up of shimmering sequins in high-contrast lighting, creating a visually striking and conceptual representation of the film's themes.The costume design in 'The Drama' uses high-fashion textures to subtly reflect the film's complex themes of identity and morality.Boston Today

In the A24 romantic comedy 'The Drama,' Zendaya's character Emma's fashion is 'completely grounded in reality,' intended to signal that she is grounded. However, as the film progresses, her wardrobe choices subtly foreshadow the character's complex past and the unraveling of her relationship with her fiancé, Charlie. Costume designer Katina Danabassis explains how Emma's outfits, from a chartreuse top to a wedding dress with an unexpected puffer jacket, reflect the tensions and contradictions within the character.

Why it matters

The costume design in 'The Drama' goes beyond simply dressing the characters, with Danabassis using fashion as a visual cue to explore the film's themes of identity, accountability, and the ability for people to change. By closely examining Emma's wardrobe, viewers can gain deeper insights into her character and the larger questions the film poses about morality and human nature.

The details

Danabassis wanted Emma's style to be 'normal—elevated just enough to make us stay in a 'movie' sort of world.' Her outfits, which include crewneck sweaters, dark-wash denim, and silky lingerie, are intended to signal that she is a 'regular human being.' However, Danabassis incorporated subtle 'offbeat' elements, like a chartreuse top or a hiking shoe paired with a trench coat, to create 'tension and friction' and foreshadow the character's complex past. In flashbacks to Emma's teenage years, Danabassis dressed the younger version of the character in an 'emo-y' style to reflect her 'slight dissociation' from her normal self. The designer also put careful thought into Emma's wedding dress, choosing a classic silhouette with a full skirt that gets 'as dirty as possible' to symbolize the tensions and contradictions within the character.

  • The Drama is set in the present day in Boston, Massachusetts.

The players

Zendaya

The actress who plays the lead role of Emma in The Drama.

Katina Danabassis

The costume designer for The Drama, known for her work on numerous A24 projects.

Robert Pattinson

The actor who plays Emma's fiancé, Charlie, in The Drama.

Alana Haim

The actress who plays Rachel, the maid of honor, in The Drama.

Mamoudou Athie

The actor who plays Mike, the best man, in The Drama.

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What they’re saying

“Nothing's too perfect. I don't want to say 'lazy,' but [it's] normal—elevated just enough to make us stay in a 'movie' sort of world.”

— Katina Danabassis, Costume Designer

“Part of the color choice is that we wanted to be able to see her when it's dark out, [but also]…we're finding her in something that feels a little offbeat again. You're always kind of like, 'What's unexpected? What is memorable? What's going to be visually striking?' And so then you end up going for something that's not always a happy accident, but sometimes it's a happy accident.”

— Katina Danabassis, Costume Designer

What’s next

The Drama is set to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2027, where it is expected to generate significant buzz and critical discussion around its themes and characters.

The takeaway

The costume design in The Drama serves as a powerful visual metaphor, using Emma's wardrobe to explore the complexities of identity, morality, and the capacity for change. By paying close attention to the subtle symbolism in her outfits, viewers can gain deeper insights into this multifaceted character and the larger questions the film poses about human nature.