Laya Deleon - Hayes Nude

What set her apart even then was the attention to detail. She frequently wore small lockets or bracelets that paid homage to her Afro-Latina heritage, and she was often photographed with her mother, whose own classic style clearly influenced Laya’s early understanding of grooming and grace. In these photos, Hayes smiles wide, but her posture is straight, her hand placement deliberate. Even at ten years old, she understood the camera.

In an industry that often asks young women to dress for the gaze of others, Laya DeLeon Hayes dresses for her own reflection. And that reflection, as her gallery proves, is nothing short of stunning. Laya Deleon Hayes Nude

This is the "cocoon stage" of her style evolution. Designers like Staud, Ganni, and Sergio Hudson began appearing in her rotation. At the 2019 premiere of The Lie at the Toronto International Film Festival, Hayes arrived in a tailored, burnt-orange blazer dress with exaggerated shoulders and matching stiletto boots. The look was a statement: I am no longer a child actor. Her hair, worn in a dramatic side-part with sleek, defined curls, framed a face that had traded baby softness for high cheekbones and a knowing gaze. What set her apart even then was the attention to detail

Her street style has also become a source of inspiration. Paparazzi shots from Los Angeles show her in relaxed but deliberate ensembles: wide-leg leather trousers, a cropped cashmere sweater, and pristine white Air Force 1s; or a vintage Chanel tweed jacket thrown over a hoodie and cargo pants. She has a particular love for corset tops worn loose (untied or worn open over a t-shirt), a trend she has single-handedly popularized among her Gen Z following. Even at ten years old, she understood the camera

What comes next for Laya DeLeon Hayes’ fashion legacy? If her trajectory continues, expect to see her at the Met Gala within three years, likely in a look that deconstructs the theme through a diasporic lens. Expect a potential collaboration with a sustainable fashion brand, given her public disdain for fast fashion. And expect her to continue mentoring younger actresses of color on navigating the industry’s often punishing beauty standards.

This era also marked her first major magazine spread—a Teen Vogue digital feature where she styled three looks under $200. The shoot highlighted her thrifting philosophy. "Vintage has a soul," she said in the interview. "When I wear a 1970s leather jacket, I feel like I'm carrying someone else's story with me. That’s better than any runway label."