Content creator Zainab Jiwa went viral with 19m TikTok views after attending the London premiere of The Odyssey in a custom gold gown with a hood, catching the eye of Hollywood star Zendaya, who stopped in surprise when she spotted the striking modest fashion look.
From a London Living Room to a Viral Red Carpet Moment
Struggling with a zipper while calling out for assistance from her mother, 29-year-old Zainab Jiwa captured a familiar scene for many twenty-somethings still living at home while filming a preparation video for TikTok. The destination, however, was far from ordinary. Zainab was preparing to attend the London premiere of the blockbuster film The Odyssey.
Invited as a guest, she wore a custom gold gown complete with a hood that immediately drew attention. Among those who noticed was Hollywood star Zendaya.
Zainab Jiwa, content creator and presenter, recounted that she had just walked past and spotted her there, adding that both of their jaws dropped in a brief staring contest before the star exclaimed how amazing it was and walked away.
The interaction quickly swept across social media, pulling in 19m views on TikTok and causing her phone to buzz continuously as followers reacted to the moment.
Navigating Modest Wear in High Fashion
While high-profile actors frequently capture attention on red carpets through method dressing—aligning their wardrobe choices with the thematic elements of specific films—independent creators are carving out a distinct space alongside them. As a Muslim creator who wears a hijab, Zainab often finds herself among the few individuals covering their hair at major premieres.
Rather than viewing modest dressing as a limitation, she incorporates it directly into her cinematic tributes.
Zainab Jiwa, content creator and presenter, described the process as making the look halal, explaining that she always pondered how to adapt outfits in that manner and enjoyed that aspect the most because it demonstrated that there were truly no restrictions.
Her red carpet appearances are carefully curated to pay homage to major releases. For House of the Dragon season two, she wore a student-designed red gown featuring three faces wearing hijabs. For Spider-Man: Brand New Day, she added custom spiderweb henna, and for Gladiator II, she stepped out in gold armor. To manage costs and keep projects sustainable, she frequently reuses items across different events alongside working with a variety of designers and brands.
Building a Full-Time Career Among A-Listers
Long before interviewing major industry figures, Zainab kept her passion for film as a hobby, posting videos about her favorite movies and inspired outfits. Major studios eventually took notice, starting with Disney, which invited her to a junket interview for the series Moon Knight.
Today, she works full-time as a creator and presenter, conducting interviews with prominent actors including Denzel Washington, Paul Mescal, Tom Hiddleston, and Zendaya. Her follower base has grown to 660,000 on TikTok and nearly 400,000 on Instagram.
Despite her red carpet presence, her daily routine in Harrow, north-west London, remains grounded in family life. Amid tight storage spaces filled with archived outfits, her parents frequently assist with wardrobe emergencies—a far cry from the traditional career trajectory they initially expected, though they are now fully supportive of her path.
