Louis Vuitton Taps Zendaya For Its 130th Monogram Celebration

Louis Vuitton’s Monogram turns 130 this year, but the face fronting the celebration is firmly of the now. Zendaya’s placement at the center of the campaign says as much about the brand’s future as it does about her current standing in fashion and culture.

The campaign visuals, first reported by WWD, show Zendaya posing with one of Louis Vuitton’s most recognizable handbags, the Speedy, which had the brand’s monogram. The images were scheduled to be unveiled across the brand’s digital platforms and through print insertions alongside other friends of the house. The decision to anchor such a milestone moment with Zendaya signals where the brand sees its future audience, and how it plans to protect its past while moving forward.

Louis Vuitton’s Monogram canvas is more than a pattern. Introduced in 1896, it has become one of the most recognizable design signatures in fashion history. Over 130 years later, it continues to generate demand, cultural relevance, and commercial strength.

During the annual results presentation of parent company LVMH, chairman and chief executive officer Bernard Arnault made it clear that Louis Vuitton is doubling down on its core handbag category. That statement adds important context to this campaign. This celebration is not only about history. It is about reinforcing handbags as the backbone of the brand’s business.

Zendaya’s involvement in this Louis Vuitton campaign sits directly at the intersection of heritage and modern influence. Her rise has been steady rather than rushed, and her presence in fashion has evolved from red carpet standout to cultural reference point. She is no longer simply wearing luxury. She is helping shape how luxury is perceived by a younger, global audience.

The Speedy handbag plays a central role in this campaign, and its inclusion is symbolic. Originally designed in the 1930s as a travel-friendly bag, the Speedy has lived many lives across decades. It has been associated with celebrities, artists, and everyday consumers who see it as both practical and aspirational. In Zendaya’s hands, the bag feels grounded rather than staged. There is no sense of excess or performance. The styling allows the bag to exist naturally within the frame, reinforcing its versatility and timeless appeal.

The actress’s look in the campaign is controlled, refined, and deliberate. The clothing does not overpower her, and it does not compete with the bag. Instead, it supports the narrative Louis Vuitton is pushing. Her outfit leans toward black and white clean lines and balanced proportions, allowing the Monogram and the Speedy silhouette to remain the focal points. The fabrics appear structured yet fluid, creating movement without distraction. This approach reflects Zendaya’s current fashion language, confident, restrained, and precise.

Her beauty look follows the same philosophy. Zendaya’s makeup is polished but minimal, designed to enhance rather than transform. The skin appears smooth, even-toned, and luminous, suggesting a focus on skincare rather than heavy coverage. Her complexion carries a soft glow, with subtle contouring that defines her features without sharp lines. Blush is applied lightly, adding warmth without dominating the face.

Her eyes are kept understated. Neutral tones frame the lids, allowing her natural eye shape to lead. Lashes are defined but not dramatic, maintaining balance and softness. Brows are groomed and shaped in a way that looks natural, reinforcing the idea of effort without excess. The lips complete the look with a muted, polished finish, likely a nude or soft rose tone that complements the overall styling without drawing attention away from the campaign’s main elements.

Accessories are kept intentional and limited. The Speedy handbag remains the hero piece, positioned confidently in the frame. Any additional accessories, like her tiny necklace, are subtle, possibly understated jewelry or minimal hardware that aligns with Louis Vuitton’s design language. There is no clutter. Every element serves a purpose.

Zendaya’s curly pixie cut is styled in a way that feels classic yet current, with side bangs. The styling choice reinforces the idea of timelessness, aligning with the Monogram’s long history while still feeling modern. Nothing about the look feels experimental or trend-chasing. That restraint is key to why the campaign works.

Before this Monogram moment, there was another landmark: Zendaya’s first proper collaboration with Louis Vuitton. That came in April 2023, when the fashion house officially announced her as its newest House Ambassador and unveiled her first campaign as the face of the iconic Capucines bag.

Shot against the azure Mediterranean backdrop of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France, Zendaya’s debut LV campaign was cinematic and evocative rather than flashy. She was styled by her longtime creative partner Law Roach and photographed by the legendary duo Mert & Marcus, showcasing the Capucines bag in classic black-and-white looks that felt both timeless and effortlessly modern.

In many ways, Zendaya’s path to Louis Vuitton feels as inevitable as it was carefully curated. The Capucines bag, named after the Paris street where Louis Vuitton opened its first store in 1854, is one of the brand’s most revered designs. And centering the screen goddess as its face signalled something bigger: this was not just a campaign, this was an alignment of ethos.

Before Louis Vuitton, she was the face of brands like Bulgari and Valentino, and her early fashion moments, from red carpet queen to viral Met Gala looks, weren’t just attention-grabbing. They were cultural touchpoints.

Her stylist Law Roach, often dubbed her “image architect,” helped cultivate a look and presence that felt meticulously planned, not manufactured. Together, they transformed fashion appearances into moments; ones that demand write-ups, TikTok edits, and fashion history tea.

And yet she never floods the market. Zendaya has mastered visibility without oversaturation, choosing impact over quantity.

Beyond fashion, Zendaya’s career moves these past few years have been equally calculated and compelling; the kind of choices that read well on screen and in headlines alike.

Her starring role in Euphoria is easily one of the defining performances of her generation. When the show launched, Zendaya was already an established on-screen presence. But Rue Bennett, raw, flawed, magnetic, elevated her career beyond lead actress. It created a persona rooted in emotional truth rather than glamour. That performance did more for her artistic credibility than any red-carpet moment. It made her necessary.

Meanwhile, Zendaya’s film trajectory has been just as thoughtful. With roles in projects like Dune and Challengers, and most recently, The Drama, she’s shown a willingness to embrace characters that challenge expectations. These aren’t blockbuster cameos or token roles — they are parts that expand her range and shift how audiences perceive her as a performer.

Increasingly, Zendaya is participating in production conversations. She’s taken a strategic interest in story development, which signals a long game few actors attempt until much later in their careers. She’s positioning herself not just as a talent, but as a creative force with longevity.

Then there’s her personal life, which remains a source of endless curiosity precisely because she refuses to overfeed it. Her relationship with Tom Holland has been handled with near-clinical precision. Enough openness to feel human. Enough privacy to avoid spectacle. In an age of oversharing, that restraint feels almost rebellious.

Zendaya’s public persona has matured alongside her audience. She still connects deeply with younger fans, but her influence now stretches comfortably across generations. Fashion designers trust her. Studios rely on her. Brands see her as safe, but not boring. Aspirational, but not untouchable. That balance is rare.

The Louis Vuitton campaign taps directly into that perception. The Speedy bag, first introduced decades ago, has lived many lives. It has been a travel essential, a status symbol, a pop culture fixture. By pairing it with Zendaya, Louis Vuitton subtly reframes it for a new era. Not louder. Not trendier. Just relevant again.

Photo: Instagram/WWD

What’s particularly interesting is what Zendaya hasn’t done lately. She hasn’t launched a beauty line. She hasn’t rushed into a lifestyle brand. She hasn’t slapped her name on products for quick wins. In a market crowded with celebrity ventures, her absence is noticeable. And powerful.

Insiders suggest this is intentional. Zendaya is watching. Learning. Waiting. If and when she decides to build something of her own, it’s expected to arrive fully formed, not rushed. Timing, for her, is everything.

She has also become more selective with interviews and appearances. When she speaks, it’s usually tied to work that matters to her. When she stays silent, it’s deliberate. That level of control is not accidental. It’s the result of years spent navigating fame from a very young age and learning, sometimes publicly, where the lines need to be drawn.

The result is a career that feels surprisingly calm for someone at her level. Busy, yes. But not frantic. Ambitious, but not desperate. Zendaya moves like someone who knows she has time.

That’s why the Louis Vuitton Monogram anniversary campaign feels like more than a fashion moment. It feels like a signal. A reminder that Zendaya is not chasing relevance. She is choosing it. Carefully. Repeatedly.

As the campaign rolls out across digital platforms and glossy print insertions, it will undoubtedly rack up views, shares, and analysis. But the real story sits beneath the surface. This is about positioning. About trust. About a global luxury house betting on a woman who understands longevity because she is quietly building her own.

Zendaya’s power right now isn’t in how often she appears, but in how deliberately she does. Whether on screen, on the red carpet, or holding a Speedy bag in a Louis Vuitton campaign, she carries the same energy. Unrushed. Unbothered. Fully aware of her place.

Photo: Instagram/WWD