It’s impossible to think about “fashion” without the iconic Law Roach coming to mind. The self-described image architect has become one of the leading stylists in the industry, known for his innovative fashion that not only looks sensational but evokes a feeling, too. As the styling guru said himself, “When we’re in our fittings together, it’s not, ‘Oh, this is the prettiest dress.’ It’s the dress that gives you some type of emotion and goosebumps. A take-your-breath-away moment.”
Needless to say, all eyes have been on Law Roach and the groundbreaking fashion moments he creates for star-studded A-listers like Zendaya, Kerry Washington, and Halle Berry, with each piece more memorable than the last. He’s been a wave of excitement in the fashion industry, cementing his mark as one of the all-time best in the biz.
Today, we’re highlighting one of the top fashion moments to remember and taking a deep-dive look into Law’s remarkable career.
CFDA Awards’ Stylist Award
When it comes to Law Roach’s accomplishments, there’s a seemingly never-ending list. From being named the most powerful stylist of the year by The Hollywood Report in 2021 and 2022 to becoming one of TIME100’s Most Influential People, no stylist makes quite as many headlines as Law Roach – and it’s all for good reason, too.
Yet, one award that stands out from the sea of accomplishments is the CFDA Awards’ Stylist Award. Law Roach was deemed the first-ever recipient of this legendary honor, creating a revolutionary moment stamped in fashion history for eternity.
However, winning the award was only half the excitement. Aside from etching an unforgettable chapter in fashion history, Law Roach captured the spotlight with his influential get-up. The style featured a larger-than-life gown displaying black-and-white polka dots from head to toe, detailed with a gorgeous pink flower on the upper right shoulder.
The gown was expertly crafted by Oscar de la Renta, who had not created a look for men before. This led the image architect to explain, “I’m wearing custom Oscar de la Renta, and they’ve never made a men’s look before. So it’s history on top of history.” And truer words could not have been spoken.
A Look Into Law Roach’s Career
As we see Law Roach today, it’s clear he is a mega stylist who has made his mark in the fashion world, styling everyone from Zendaya to Mary J Blige, Ariana Grande to Celine Dion, and beyond. Not only that, but the looks he drapes upon himself are nothing short of head-turning and head-line-making. Law Roach is truly a one-of-a-kind designer that can’t be copied.
Nonetheless, the image architect started with very humble beginnings in Chicago. His career began selling vintage items out of the trunk of his car before opening his “Deliciously Vintage” shops, which would ultimately put him on the maps after a visit from Kanye West in 2009. From there, he emerged to find his first paying client – K. Michelle.
Law finally decided to grab the fashion world by the reins and move to Los Angeles to pursue a career in style and design. He soon started his professional relationship with Zendaya, which is arguably one of his most lucrative and long-lasting partnerships. He said this about their relationship: “I think Zendaya and I’s relationship has almost become this blueprint of what stylists want when they think of a successful stylist and client relationship. And our relationship goes beyond that – now we’re like family. We’ve grown together. She’s had so many successes in her career, and I’m parallel to that with the success I’m having in my career.”
Although the Zendaya + Law Roach pairing is an undeniably fashionable powerhouse, Law Roach didn’t stop there. He branched out to work with other stars for several admirable events, including the Met Gala. He would dress Lewis Hamilton, LaLa Anthony, and many more, with the “Lala moment” paving the way to work with names like Ruby Rose and Jessie J. He also worked with Celina Dion, who received her first-ever invitation to the Met Gala after appearing in Law Roach’s ensembles.
While Law Roach is undoubtedly renowned for his designs, he’s also impacted entertainment. He’s been seen in a number of fashion-focused roles, including HBO Max’s Legendary and America’s Next Top Model, all the while taking on new clients such as Jada Pinkett Smith, Mariah Carey, and Kylie Jenner.
In March 2023, Roach officially decided to retire from the fashion world, saying, “I just hit a brick wall. My career had gotten so big that there was nowhere for me to go other than to do more work.”
What’s Next for Law Roach?
Although Roach’s shocking retirement took us all by storm, it’s not the last we will see of him. The styling guru has created a new business called “School of Style.” This online learning platform is geared toward helping aspiring stylists get their start in the industry and thrive.
He has also written a must-read book called “How to Build a Fashion Icon: Notes on Confidence from the World’s Only Image Architect,” which doubles as a peek into his process and a how-to guide for being confident and comfortable in your fashionable life.
What is your favorite Law Roach fashion moment?
