Zendaya, ahead of her press tour for the upcoming film *Challengers* (2024), received a trunk full of Christian Louboutin’s iconic ‘So Kate’ heels. Forty pairs, to be precise. This unwavering loyalty to the brand stems from a longstanding relationship with her stylist, Law Roach, who first styled the then-14-year-old Zendaya in these high heels.
Roach, who saw Zendaya’s potential from the start, recalled having a plan to “help her find her light and bring it to the world.” Their journey began when Zendaya sought Roach’s help in choosing outfits for major events, including the premiere of *Justin Bieber: Never Say Never* (2011).
It was during one of those early events that Zendaya wore the ‘So Kate’ for the first time. Despite the elegance of the 12 cm heels, Zendaya found herself struggling with the pain. Roach recounted this experience on the fashion podcast *The Cutting Room Floor*, saying, “She was like, ‘I want to take them off,’ and I was like, ‘No, you’re not taking them off.’ And she wore them for days and days. It became a thing for both of us – a signature. Her feet grew into them. She can wear them all day, dance in them, kick them up, run down stairs.”
Nearly a decade later, despite numerous offers from other brands to provide footwear for red-carpet appearances, Roach remains loyal to the ‘So Kate.’
The ‘So Kate,’ inspired by fashion icon Kate Moss, is a testament to Roach’s keen eye for style. He describes the shoes as “the most painful” but also acknowledges that choosing them as Zendaya’s signature was a wise decision. The ‘So Kate,’ born in 2012, is a tribute to the iconic style of Christian Louboutin’s friend, Kate Moss. The design, featuring a fiery red sole and a sleek silhouette, was designed, in the designer’s own words, to “make you turn heads.”
Unlike statement pieces like Loewe’s balloon heels or Alexander McQueen’s horseshoe boots, the sharp and refined Christian Louboutin ‘So Kate’ has been a constant in Zendaya’s diverse style over the years. The heels complement every look, solidifying her status as a fashion leader.
Roach is adamant that their choice of the ‘So Kate’ is not driven by sponsorships or calculated PR. Despite Zendaya’s recent brand ambassadorship with major fashion houses like Valentino and Louis Vuitton, she continues to wear the ‘So Kate.’ Perhaps the inspiration of fashion icon Kate Moss gives Zendaya that extra push to stand a little taller.
