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.”

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:

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.

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

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.