Zendaya never fails to mesmerize on the red carpet, and much of that magic can be attributed to her impeccable collaboration with her longtime stylist, the legendary Law Roach, and her signature shoe of choice: the Christian Louboutin So Kate pumps.
In a candid conversation on Recho Omondi’s fashion podcast, The Cutting Room Floor, Roach shared insider details about working with Zendaya and why the So Kate 120-millimeter (4.7-inch) heels have become a staple for the star.
Calling the iconic pumps “one of the most versatile shoes, [and] one of the most painful,” Roach revealed that Zendaya’s history with the towering heels goes back to her teenage years. Inspired by supermodel Kate Moss, the So Kate was introduced to Zendaya at just 14 years old. Roach recounted her first experience wearing the heels at a press event, where she struggled to keep them on.
“I was like, ‘You will not take these shoes off,’” Roach explained. “She kept them on, and the next day, she put them on again. And the next day, she put them on again.”
Fast forward to now, and Zendaya has become a pro at rocking the sky-high stilettos. “Her feet are kind of, like, trained,” Roach added. “She could wear them all day.”
A Step Above: Zendaya’s Most Iconic Christian Louboutin So Kate Moments
Zendaya’s love for Christian Louboutin’s So Kate pumps has cemented them as a key feature of her red carpet looks. Each appearance showcases her ability to effortlessly blend elegance and bold fashion choices:
- Black Patent Leather: During the ‘Dune: Part Two’ promotional tour, Zendaya appeared on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ in a sleek, all-black ensemble from The Attico’s Spring-Summer 2024 collection. She completed her look with glossy black patent So Kate pumps featuring pointed toes and a 4.25-inch stiletto heel, accentuating her stunning frame.
- Polka-Dotted Design: At the Tiffany & Co. Paper Flowers event in New York City, Zendaya channeled Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in a Dice Kayek Fall 2014 Couture bell-sleeved dress. She paired it with Christian Louboutin ‘So Kate Bubble’ pumps, featuring a polka-dotted design with a latte-colored leather overlay atop a black patent leather base, adding a playful yet sophisticated touch to her ensemble. See the look further down this page!
- White Patent Leather: While promoting ‘Dune: Part Two’ in Paris, Zendaya wore an ethereal white Alaïa La Robe Spirale dress. She paired the dress with white Christian Louboutin So Kate pumps, adding extra sophistication with their pointed toes and iconic red-lacquered soles, perfectly complementing her ensemble.
- Brown Leather: At the 2018 MTV Movie & TV Awards, Zendaya stunned in a brown leather teacup dress from the August Getty Spring 2016 Collection. She styled her dress with matching brown leather So Kate pointy-toe stiletto pumps from Christian Louboutin, creating a monochromatic and sophisticated look.
- Orange Patent Leather: During Beautycon 2018, Zendaya showcased her unique fashion sense by wearing an Akris art-print dress. She completed her ensemble with vibrant orange Christian Louboutin So Kate pumps, adding a pop of color and demonstrating her bold style choices.
These moments highlight Zendaya’s ability to incorporate the iconic So Kate pumps into a variety of looks, solidifying her status as a fashion icon.
In a nod to her influence, Christian Louboutin launched the Miss Z in January 2025—a new style inspired by Zendaya herself. This modern take combines the timeless elegance of the So Kate with bold, fresh details that reflect Zendaya’s fearless approach to fashion.
View this post on Instagram
Zendaya’s Classic Jackie O. Look: The Perfect Mix of Glam and Elegance
In May 2018, Zendaya gave us major Jackie O. vibes at the Tiffany & Co. Paper Flowers event and Believe In Dreams campaign launch in NYC. The actress-slash-dancer-slash-singer wore her brunette hair in the former first lady’s signature bouffant held back with a navy-satin headband and punctuated with matching sparkly blue earrings.
Zendaya Coleman dazzled at Tiffany & Co.’s Blue Event on May 3, 2018, wearing a Dice Kayek Fall 2014 Couture dress paired with Christian Louboutin So Kate Bubble pumps and stunning Tiffany & Co. diamond and tanzanite drop earrings (Credit: Patricia Schlein / WENN)
Not even the rain could ruin Z’s elegant ensemble. The water drops looked like sparkly embellishments on the “Spider-Man: Homecoming” star’s Dice Kayek Fall 2014 Couture bell-sleeved dress featuring an oversized pussy bow.
The then-21-year-old let her fun, fashion-loving side shine through in her shoe choice of Christian Louboutin’s “So Kate Bubble” polka-dotted pumps. Zendaya’s classy getup was refreshing after fellow attendee Kendall Jenner’s tacky nipple-exposing look.
Zendaya is wearing a Dice Kayek Fall 2014 Couture bell-sleeved dress with Christian Louboutin “So Kate Bubble” pumps
The Christian Louboutin “So Kate Bubble” pumps have a polka-dotted design derived from a holey, latte-colored leather overlay placed on a black-patent base.
Close-up of Zendaya’s Christian Louboutin So Kate Bubble polka-dotted pumps, showcasing the playful black-and-white design on a signature red sole
Shop more variations and colorways of the celebrity-favorite Christian Louboutin “So Kate” pumps at Mytheresa:
Christian Louboutin ‘So Kate Bubble’ Pumps, $945
A Celebrity Favorite: The Enduring Appeal of Christian Louboutin’s “So Kate” Pumps
Zendaya’s choice of Christian Louboutin’s “So Kate Bubble” pumps at the Tiffany & Co. Paper Flowers event reflects a trend among celebrities favoring this distinctive design.
Blake Lively, for instance, paired the black-and-white striped “So Kate” pumps with a Giambattista Valli dress at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, highlighting the pumps’ versatility and appeal.
Similarly, Lily Collins opted for camouflage “So Kate” pumps during a Seventeen Magazine signing event in 2013, demonstrating their adaptability across various styles. These instances underscore the “So Kate” pumps’ status as a favored choice among fashion-forward individuals.