Saturday night in Paris, France became Saturday Night Fever as Tommy Hilfiger and Zendaya made their first contribution to Paris Fashion Week. The duo’s premiere presentation for TommyNow was a part-roller disco, part-Studio 54 spectacular that evoked the glam and sensuality of the ‘70s—a perfect fit for an equally retro-inspired collection.
In fact, the extended prelude to the show (which began a fashionable half-hour late) was an extended dance/skate party, complete with a light-up dance floor-turned-runway upon which a countless number of afro wigs, flared legs and hot pants boogied down to disco-worthy grooves ahead of the show.
And then, the #BlackGirlMagic arrived.
Sporting bouncy, flowing waves, afros galore (some embedded with Black Power picks) and even hijab, Tommy x Zendaya’s Spring-Summer ‘19 collection of glamorous, nostalgia-inducing silhouettes was modeled by a size-inclusive, age-inclusive, shade-inclusive lineup of exclusively black models. The superstar cast included catwalk queens Winnie Harlow, Dilone, Grace Bol, Ebonee Davis, Chrystele, Beverly Peele, Halima Aden, Precious Lee, Marquita Pring, Beverly Johnson, Pat Cleveland (doing the iconic Pat Cleveland runway twirl-walk in a shining one-shouldered striped trapeze dress) and former editor of The Glow Up, supermodel Veronica Webb.
But the pièce de résistance of the presentation was indisputably the finale appearance of Grace Jones, who strutted out to close the show in a must-have shimmering striped blazer, gold lurex bodysuit, and thigh-high boots. Even more dynamic than her outfit was Jones’ always larger-than-life presence, as the 70-year-old entertainer and former model preened, posed and pranced down the runway to her hit song, “Pull Up to the Bumper,” much to the delight of the packed house.
Staying in her designer lane, Zendaya didn’t walk the show this round, finally making a triumphant final appearance on the runway hand-in-hand with Hilfiger and Jones, wearing a flare-legged black-and-white patterned trouser suit we hope will be offered in her Fall-Winter collection. And giving credit where it’s due, Zendaya also invited star stylist Law Roach to take his bows on the runway, acknowledging his work and influence upon her debut collection, campaign and runway show.
And for those who can’t wait to get their hands on these super-wearable, ‘70s-inspired separates, the Tommy x Zendaya is already available on their website—that is, if it hasn’t already sold out.