How a Black Shoe Collector Helped Get Zendaya a Rare Pair of Gladiator Heels for Press Stop
This summer, Zendaya and Law Roach have been serving us look after look as the movie star has been busy promoting “The Odyssey” and “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” As usual, Law has been searching high and low for the most unique pieces to style his fashion muse in, with one look featuring an iconic pair of gladiator heels designed by luxury shoe designer Sophia Webster. Now, Webster is telling the story of how she managed to hunt down a pair for the celebrity stylist and how a Black woman had the exact pair she was looking for.
In a recent TikTok video, Webster began by sharing that she had received an email from Law’s team requesting the Clementine Heel—a shoe worn by stars like J.Lo, but that hasn’t been spotted on a red carpet in years. Noting that the shoe is over a decade old, Webster knew the request was “very specific and intentional.”
“I just knew if I could get the shoes to Law, then he would get them on Zendaya, and magic would be made. I just felt it,” she said.
Excited that her heels would be worn by the star, Webster began her hunt. First, she looked in her closet, where she had a pair in black, but they weren’t the right size. Next, she planned to dig through her archive.
“I wanted to go to the warehouse to search the pallets, but my husband was like, ‘It’s too big a job. You won’t be able to find it,” she recalled. “The timeline was too tight for the factory to make a new pair. No reseller had them available, so my last hope was Instagram.”
@sophiawebster So lucky to have this amazing community
@yvettemonique30 you are my hero
@Luxury Law
#Zendaya #LawRoach #Odyssey #SophiaWebster #Storytime
Turning to the app, Webster crossed her fingers and posted a story asking her followers if anyone had the shoes in the specific tan shade and size she needed. Lo and behold, one follower and shoe collector, Yvette—a Black woman based in Maryland—had the exact pair Webster was searching for.
With her curiosity piqued as to why Webster needed the shoe, Yvette replied to the story immediately. When she found out the heels were for Zendaya, she was more than happy to lend them.
“The fact that my shoes may end up with Zendaya—oh my gosh!” Yvette said.
After shipping the pair to Law Roach’s hotel in London, Webster and Yvette waited to see when “The Odyssey” star would step out in them. When she was finally spotted in the heels, both women were overjoyed. Speaking on the final fit, Yvette said the shoes looked custom-made for Zendaya.
“That walk that she had… oh my goodness. It looked like the shoe was literally made for her. It was just the most amazing moment ever,” she said. We’re inclined to agree. Zendaya rocked the shoes, and we can’t imagine anyone else wearing them better!
What made the moment even more touching, however, is that Yvette had spent the past year recovering from severe health complications and wanted to ensure she began celebrating life’s small wins and, well, this was certainly one of them.
“This past year, I went through thyroid cancer. I underwent two surgeries, and I just made a promise to myself to really appreciate all the joys in life,” she said.
As for Webster, she remains deeply grateful to Yvette for lending the iconic footwear, but it also thrilled the designer that a heel she made 12 years ago continues to make just as powerful a style statement today as it did in the early 2010s.
