5 ways Law Roach is rewriting the rules of fashion

The image architect and celebrity stylist, Law Roach, has been disrupting the industry one slay after another.

For years, the greatest accomplishment of a celebrity stylist was to make someone else, whether they’re appearing in a campaign, on a red carpet, or some other public appearance, look ridiculously good. Then Law Roach came along and turned that concept entirely on its head. 

On the latest episode of Emma Grede’s podcast “Aspire,” the image architect, celebrity stylist, and fashion extraordinaire joined the CEO and author for a far-reaching conversation about his career, business, and all of the many things he’s learned over the years.

“People are like, ‘Oh, you’re such an artist,’” he recalled to Grede. “In the back of my mind I’m like, ‘No, I’m a businessman.” 

From transforming Zendaya into one of Hollywood’s most influential fashion icons to becoming a celebrity in his own right, Roach has built a career that challenges just about every convention of his industry. At a time when opportunities have been shrinking, and uncertainty is forcing professionals across industries to rethink what success can look like, there’s something particularly inspiring about how the Chicago native has managed to carve out his own path, not by waiting for someone to recognize his worth, but by finding innovative ways to capitalize on it.

He made himself the brand

Roach was never just a celebrity stylist. His approach has always gone far beyond putting together a fabulous outfit, using fashion, carefully curated references, and storytelling to shape an entire visual identity around his clients. Whether he’s dressing Zendaya as a futuristic fashion fantasy for a movie premiere, bringing out Megan Thee Stallion’s bombshell glamour, or helping Celine Dion reinvent herself as a fashion darling, every look is part of a larger vision for who they are, what they represent, and how they want the world to see them. It’s why he coined “image architect,” a title he eventually trademarked to distinguish his work from traditional celebrity styling.

In doing so, he’s established a strong, recognizable brand in which his name and creative vision are as much a part of the appeal as the celebrities he dresses. His work with Zendaya, particularly the elaborate fashion storytelling surrounding her film premieres, has made audiences just as eager to see what Roach will think of next as they are to see the actress herself. The method also makes bank. He’s managed to build a multimillion-dollar business out of his taste and talents that he uses as leverage when he’s at the bargaining table.

“I understand that I am a bankable brand and I know how to make money and I know how to attract money,” he told Grede.

He and Zendaya changed the rules of celebrity styling contracts

When Roach first met a 14-year-old Zendaya in 2011, he saw her star power. The then Disney Channel actress was looking for something to wear to the premiere of Justin Bieber’s “Never Say Never,” and after being introduced through a mutual connection, Roach began what would become one of the most successful partnerships in celebrity fashion. At the time, designers weren’t exactly lining up to dress the rising starlet, so Roach got creative. He started putting her in clothes other celebrities had already worn, knowing the inevitable “Who Wore It Better?” comparisons would get her photographed, talked about and, most importantly, noticed. It was a little unconventional, sure, but it worked.

Fifteen years and countless wildly original red carpet moments later, the two have taken that same willingness to do things their own way all the way to the bank. Roach revealed that Zendaya insists he be included in her fashion endorsement deals, sometimes refusing major opportunities (he’s even said she’s crazy to) when brands won’t agree to compensate him. He’s also appeared alongside her in campaigns, something that speaks to just how much his own celebrity has grown alongside hers.

Even Grede admitted how unheard of it is for celebrities to advocate for their stylists to be cut in. Considering how much of Zendaya’s fashion identity Roach has helped create, it’s a pretty remarkable example of what loyalty, consistency, and recognizing each other’s value can get you in life.

“We literally disrupted the industry,” Roach told Grede.

He made fashion a vehicle for preserving Black history and culture

Roach is all about the details, the storytelling and, perhaps most importantly, paying homage. When Zendaya stepped onto the red carpet at this year’s Emmy Awards in a sparkling Prada gown and a pixie cut inspired by Halle Berry’s iconic early-2000s look, it was a nod to one of Hollywood’s most celebrated Black actresses. In 2020, he took that appreciation for Black fashion history even further when he styled Zendaya after the pioneering supermodel Donyale Luna for ESSENCE’s 50th anniversary issue, recreating some of the late model’s most recognizable photographs while dressing the actress in designs by Black designer GiGi Hunter.

For the celeb stylist, those references come from a lifetime of admiring the beauty, glamour, and creativity of Black women he grew up gazing upon while flipping through copies of Ebony, Jet and Essence on his grandmother’s coffee table. During his conversation with Grede, he recalled how those magazines shaped his eye for fashion and introduced him to a world of Black style that continues to influence his work today. Being able to pay homage and, in a sense, preserve the legacy of Black fashion pioneers has become an integral part of his storytelling.

“I do look at it as a responsibility, and it is a responsibility for me not to only tell stories of fashion, but to tell stories of how my culture has impacted fashion and pop culture,” Roach told Grede.

He’s not afraid to say no

Throughout his career, Roach has had to make some pretty tough calls, including turning down major deals, brands, and opportunities. But he’ll be the first to tell you there’s immense power in knowing when to say no. Whether it’s the money, the client, the creative direction, or simply the vibe, the stylist has learned that knowing your worth also means recognizing when something isn’t right for you and being willing to walk away.

During his conversation with Grede, Roach reflected on how difficult that could be earlier in his career, particularly when opportunities came from people he had long admired. At the time, saying yes often felt like the only option, even when the work wasn’t necessarily something he wanted to take on. Since stepping away from celebrity styling in 2023, however, he’s become far more comfortable setting boundaries and making decisions on his own terms.

“What I learned, you know, post-retirement is that no is a complete answer,” he told Grede.

He doesn’t limit himself to one lane

The man is a stylist, image architect, author, the leader of a growing team, a judge on “Project Runway,” a hair icon to many, and he’s only getting started. Part of what makes Roach such a force is his willingness to try new things and push far beyond the traditional boundaries of the fashion industry. After years of helping shape the images of some of the world’s biggest stars, he’s become a bona fide tastemaker, with ambitions that extend well beyond the red carpet.

While chatting with Grede, he shared his desire to go wherever his taste can take him, including launching a lifestyle brand, designing hotels and eventually owning one. He’s also working to build the team and business infrastructure to make those ambitions possible, with hopes of creating opportunities for others along the way. He’s even interested in bringing his signature taste to more affordable products, making the kind of style he’s become known for accessible to people who can’t afford designer price tags.

“I want to walk into the building that I bought,” he told Grede. “I just want to try so much, and I’m not afraid to fail.”