Zendaya’s New Clothing Line Is For Women of All Sizes

When it comes to the small cadre pop star-turned-designers, the names that automatically come to mind are so huge that they only go by one name: Rihanna, Kanye, Beyoncé. So, it makes sense that fellow mononym Zendaya joins the ranks today as she launches her new clothing line, Daya by Zendaya. To be clear, the 20-year-old entrepreneur/actress/singer/female empowerment activist/2016 Glamour Woman of the Year ventured into footwear under the same brand moniker over the summer, but she’s doing a couple things differently from the rest of the pack when it comes to the clothes. First, she’s created her own brand independent of a corporate partner like Adidas, Puma, or Topshop. Second, she’s making pieces that women whose bodies fall outside the size 0-12 scope can wear—and feel great in. The sizing for the Daya range, which includes everything from oversize logo hoodies and T-shirts to expressive pieces like a velvet jumpsuit and lace-up sweatpants, spans up to size 22. But wait, it gets better: the entire collection is priced between $18-$158 and is now available to shop! When we caught up with Zendaya at the debut of her new line in New York City, she had a lot to say about inclusion, authenticity, and whom she’d love to see rock her designs.

GLAMOUR: What was the goal you set out to achieve when designing the collection?

ZENDAYA: I wanted everything to look and feel very expensive, but be cheap. I want it to feel luxurious and not like people are getting the look for less but the real thing, all while being affordable. I wanted this not to be something that they go to wash one time and it’s done after that. I want people to have these pieces for a long time in their wardrobe. I also wanted to make sure the sizing was right and that no one felt alienated or didn’t feel like they were included in my line. I also wanted the androgynous, gender neutral aspect of the clothes to be a big part of this. People should feel confident and feel like themselves in the pieces. It’s basically elevated streetwear.

GLAMOUR: Which are your favorite pieces from the collection?

ZENDAYA: There are some classic slip dresses that I love, and a blush-colored silk bomber that’s the same material as the dresses. There are a lot of sets, which is cool because I like to make my own outfits. There’s this velvet jumpsuit which is so comfortable—literally pajamas you can walk out of the house in. There’s also a denim version—not as comfortable, but very dope.

GLAMOUR: This collection was made in collaboration with your longtime stylist, Law Roach. Tell us about this partnership you guys have.

ZENDAYA: Law is my style partner in crime, my fashion guru, the person who I go to for all things fashion related. He gets me, he’s been my one and only stylist my entire career, and I’m so excited to have done this with him. He’s got an incredible eye and he understands things so if I can’t make up my mind, he will definitely make it up for me!

GLAMOUR: What does it mean to you to make a collection that so many people–from sizes 0-22—can wear?

ZENDAYA: It’s so important, because the women in my life are not all the same size, that’s just the truth and honesty of it. I want my mom to be able to wear my stuff. She asked me, ‘Is there gonna be something I can wear? And I was like, ‘Yes, everything!’ It’s not even because she’s a big woman, but she’s tall, too. I can’t forget about the tall girls, either. We’ve got thick girls, we’ve got tall girls, we’ve got skinny girls, everybody! I want everyone to feel comfortable and confident. I also wanted a wide range of sizes for people who aren’t technically gender specific. If you want to wear it in whatever size feels comfortable to you and who you are, then wear it. Fashion is so far evolved from saying that everyone has to wear a specific thing.

GLAMOUR: How do you feel about the word “authenticity,” as someone who is famous for outwardly being your authentic self?

ZENDAYA: I’m actually making an app which will have some of my most authentic moments in it, it’s my day-to-day life and who I am. With social media, people see through the fake very quickly. People know what’s real and what’s not, and eventually that fake layer gets washed away and then what’s there? People will find out who you are, whether you like it or not, so you might as well be who you are from the jump. It’s a lot less complicated.

GLAMOUR: Who are some people you’d die to see wearing your collection?

ZENDAYA: Riri—I would throw up! Probably won’t happen, but a girl can dream. Riri and Yoncé, of course, always. But honestly, my dream is to walk down the street and see someone wearing something of mine. That would be the coolest thing.