Zendaya’s London After-Party Look Hid One Of The Cleverest ‘Spider-Man’ References Yet

As we’ve come to expect, there’s always a second dress with Zendaya and Law Roach, so for the Spider-Man: Brand New Day London premiere after-party, the actress wore a custom LaQuan Smith dress.

If you thought the Spider-Man references had finally come to an end after the premiere gown, I have news for you.

Throughout this press tour, Zendaya’s wardrobe has referenced the wider Spider-Man universe through spider webs, spider anatomy and even the comic-book villain Mr. Negative. This look, however, might be one of the most considered references of them all, because it pays tribute to her own character, Mary Jane (MJ) Watson.

At first glance, it might look like a generic comic-book-inspired design, but it actually draws inspiration from a 1987 Marvel paper doll book featuring Mary Jane Watson, illustrated by John Byrne, Jackson Guice, Vince Colletta and Joe Rosen.

LaQuan Smith didn’t simply recreate the paper doll. He translated it into contemporary eveningwear, preserving the black-and-white striped silhouette and red flounced hem while giving it the sleek, sculpted fit that defines his aesthetic.

I suspect this look will divide opinion more than any other on the tour. Unlike the spider-web references, which were instantly recognisable, this one – much like the Ashi Studio Couture look in New York – requires some context. Unless you happen to know a nearly 40-year-old Marvel paper doll, the connection is easy to miss.

That’s both the strength and the weakness of the concept.

The original illustration is playful, exaggerated and almost camp, so I can understand why some people wished Law Roach had pushed the idea further with a fuller red flounce, bolder stripes or styling that leaned more into Mary Jane’s retro charm.

Instead, this sits somewhere between a faithful recreation and a fashion interpretation.

I appreciate the depth of the research, and I think it’s one of the cleverest references from the entire press tour. At the same time, I don’t think it’s the strongest execution of the idea, especially when compared to some of the more immediately impactful looks we’ve seen over the past few weeks. That said, this was an after-party look, not a photocall or a premiere, and Zendaya wears it with so much ease that it’s hard not to find the final result incredibly charming.

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