Zendaya’s metallic “robot” suit at the Dune: Part Two London premiere was an iconic archival piece
Zendaya’s metallic “robot” suit at the Dune: Part Two London premiere was an iconic archival piece from Thierry Mugler’s Fall/Winter 1995 couture collection, known as the “Machinenmensch” (Machine Human) suit. It was designed in collaboration with artist Jean-Jacques Urcun and inspired by the fictional robot from Thea von Harbou’s 1925 novel Metropolis.
Here is the interesting story behind this fashion moment:
• It Was Original Archive, Not a Reproduction: The suit worn by Zendaya was the original piece from 1995, not a recreation. It was sourced from the Mugler archives by stylist Law Roach, with the brand confirming it hadn’t been worn since its original runway debut.
• The “Fit Like a Glove” Moment: Despite the suit being nearly 30 years old and notoriously difficult to fit, it fit Zendaya perfectly without alterations.
• A “Bad Idea” That Almost Caused Fainting: While it looked stunning, the suit was incredibly uncomfortable. Zendaya later revealed she began to feel lightheaded after wearing it for less than 10 minutes because the metal trapped heat. She described it as a “bad idea” as the premiere approached but pushed through, quickly changing into a comfortable Mugler gown afterward.
• Massive Impact: The look generated over $152 million in media exposure for Mugler, according to Launchmetrics, and was a highlight of a press tour where Zendaya frequently used fashion to mirror the film’s themes.
#zendaya #celebritystyle #dune #mugler #lawroach #OOTD
📸: Zendaya, Law Roach, Mugler, Vogue