Law Roach Has Redefined The “Stylist” Role
Fashion stylists are historically the silent, unseen innovators behind the looks of big names in entertainment and fashion, but few are as impactful as Law Roach. The self-appointed “image architect” has been heralded for his intuitive sense of style as well as his knack for turning his clients into global fashion icons. Law Roach is single-handedly redefining what it means to be a celebrity stylist in a masterful career which is just at its inception.
To say Law Roach’s reach as an innovator transcends his role as a stylist would be a gross understatement. What distinguishes Roach from that of other stylists and creatives in fashion lies within his incomparable ability to curate identities. A stylist must be able to innately foster and execute the narrative behind a look, but also to connect and communicate with their client on who they are as a person. Nowhere has Roach’s artistry been showcased better than his work with Zendaya and Celine Dion.
The roots of the incomparable force that is Zendaya and Law Roach dates back to the early 2010s. Zendaya was still very much boasting the “Disney Channel” polished child star persona at this time, but Law Roach stepped in when she was just 14 and took her under his wing. Over the course of their 13 year relationship, both have grown tremendously as people but also with respect to fashion. Roach taught her about fashion history, but they have a rapport which goes beyond just a client-stylist relationship. One could describe it as a kinship whereupon they communicate without even having to speak. Roach referred to himself the “big idea” and Zendaya the “small detail” in an episode of Vogue’s The Run Through podcast, which poignantly illustrates the dynamic developed which permits the duo to create looks.
Few had associated music legend Celine Dion with high-fashion prior to her work with Law Roach. Earlier looks worn by Dion can best be described as minimalistic, but a seismic shift occurred in 2016 following the deaths of her husband and brother. Dion recruited Roach to style her initially for her Paris Couture Week debut, which was a stepping stone to solidifying her status as a fashion icon. The partnership gave Dion a resurgence of sorts, but also encouraged her to go outside her comfort zone by way of colors, patterns, and silhouettes – on and off stage. Dion was evidently more comfortable being experimental and had come quite a long way with her sense of style, even after Roach stopped styling her. Though her style was never bad, Roach seemingly ignited a desire to push the envelope.
Law Roach forged his path in fashion as a stylist and innovator who has elevated the profession, but he’s distinguished from his peers for something much greater. In layman’s terms, people are just as interested in what his clientele does as they are in what he does. Roach has built a following and respect in the industry which is unheard of, especially for a stylist; this is a contributing factor to how he operates in his work as well. In a recent interview for the “Cutting Room Floor” podcast, Roach discussed how major luxury fashion houses refused to style a young Zendaya at the start of her career. The brands later backtracked on their initial refusals once her career took off, but Roach hasn’t let their initial reluctance be forgotten upon stating “if you say no, it’ll be a no forever.” Integrity which lies within what Law Roach does is the focal point in his artistry above all else.
Featured Image Courtesy of @luxurylaw on Instagram