How a Decade-Old Sophia Webster Sandal Made Its Way to Zendaya’s “The Odyssey” Press Tour

Stylist Law Roach asked designer Sophia Webster for a pair of the brand’s Clementine gladiator sandals, a model released in fall 2014. Webster explained that the shoes had not been seen in years and that neither her personal collection nor the brand’s warehouse could supply a pair in Zendaya’s size within the tight timeframe. She also ruled out manufacturing a new version because of the deadline.

People Magazine

Facing limited options, Webster turned to her Instagram followers, posting a plea for anyone who owned the exact pair. A longtime customer, Yvette, responded that she possessed the first-ever Clementine she ever bought. Webster arranged for Yvette to ship the shoes, offering a replacement pair in exchange and promising to return the sandals after the event.

People Magazine

The sandals arrived at Law Roach’s hotel in London and were flown to New York for the press tour. On July 13, Zendaya stepped onto the carpet in New York City wearing the heels with a Spring/Summer 2008 Alberta Ferretti white dress. Observers described the moment as a perfect match between shoe and wearer. The following day, July 14, she appeared at the film’s premiere in a white Matières Fécales gown with wings, reinforcing the Athena-inspired aesthetic of the promotion.

People Magazine

Webster said the team “were all screaming” when Zendanda wore the sandals and called Yvette her “hero.” She noted a surge of requests to revive the Clementine style, suggesting the shoe could return to the market amid a broader gladiator-sandals resurgence highlighted by recent celebrity appearances.

WWD

• “That walk that she had? Oh my goodness, it looked like the shoe was literally made for her,” — Yvette, a customer of Webster’s for many years

People Magazine

• “So my last hope was Instagram,” — Sophia Webster

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• “The fact that my shoes may end up with Zendaya, oh my gosh,” — Yvette, a customer of Webster’s for many years

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• “When she wore them, we were all screaming,” — Sophia Webster

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• “Ever since, we have had a lot of requests to bring that style back,” — Sophia Webster

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