Zendaya heading to Chicago to boost new fashion line

Having only recently celebrated her 20th birthday, actress, singer and dancer Zendaya has proven to be a major player on all major social media platforms. The entertainer is now planning to expand that role Thursday as she launches Zendaya: The App, a mobile shopping destination for her new Daya by Zendaya fashion line.

It’s been a good week for Zendaya, who was just named one of Glamour magazine’s 2016 Women of the Year — joining a group that includes “black-ish” star Tracee Ellis Ross, Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, International Monetary Fund managing director Christine Lagarde, fashion designer Miuccia Prada and singer Gwen Stefani.

Zendaya will be in Chicago this weekend, appearing Saturday afternoon at her Daya by Zendaya pop-up shop, 108 N. State. It’s one of several pop-ups opening in cities around the country. The Chicago pop-up will be open between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

During a recent phone chat, Zendaya expressed excitement about her new fashion line, explaining, “Fashion is something I’ve been in love with all my life,” adding that the new app would be one more way for her to connect with her fans.

“It’s something I’m very passionate about. Getting this app launched has made me look closer at my own life, and it will be a way for me to open up to my fans about a lot of things. While it will include a lot of things about me, it also will be a place to note what’s going on in the world, to spread different messages and hopefully help people along the way. That’s the goal.”

As for the Daya clothing line, the entertainer noted it’s something she has been working on for a long time. “I’m so excited that we’re finally going to get out there. The process has been such a creative journey for me. … With these pop-up shops, I’m thrilled that I will not only showcase the clothes, but also get the chance to meet my fans in person and see their individual reactions to the clothes. It will be fun to see people touch the clothes and feel and wear the different pieces. So glad it’s all going out to the world.”

With a cold Chicago winter is on the way, Zendaya, who has extended family members living in the Chicago area and has spent time here in the past, revealed she’s got Windy City fashionistas covered.

“Actually there are several items in the collection which would be good to have for cold weather. Two things that come to mind are my new bomber jacket — which is very comfortable to wear and warm — and a velvet jumpsuit, which I think is like wearing a onesie [outdoors]. … In addition, all of the pieces can be layered to face cold weather.”

While she said she wasn’t “exactly sure” of the sizes being sold, Zendaya did stress “that was one of the main things I wanted in the line. My fans represent a great size range. I have a lot of beautiful sizes of all kinds in my own family — and I want every woman in my life to rock my clothes. … flexibility and freedom are two hallmarks of personal style today. That’s certainly what I stand for — whether I’m on a red carpet or just in my private life. I think it’s important for people to express that kind of freedom and confidence to wear what they want — to be comfortable in their own skin. … It’s all about honesty and being able to promote self-love and being accepted for wearing what the heck you want!”

Zendaya’s next film project is her biggest movie role to date in “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” opening next July and starring Tom Holland in the title role, along with Robert Downey Jr., Donald Glover, Marisa Tomei, Jon Favreau and Michael Keaton.

“I was so lucky to be part of this huge project,” she said. “I play Michelle, who is kind of like a very shy, to-herself kind of girl. She’s a bookworm and very smart — plus sarcastic and a little weird. It was fun to play her. … [Acting and music] really are two very different things for me. With acting, you’re supposed to be pretending to be someone else. You’re stepping into others’ shoes. With music, you’re not playing a character. It’s all about you. It is very personal and intimate. I love the fact that I can have fun with both sides of my artistic personality that way.”