Like pretty much everyone right now, I am in utter awe of the looks Zendaya has been wearing throughout the year for her press tours. First we had The Drama, then Euphoria, then Spiderman: Brand New Day, and then The Odyssey. We still have the rest of the Spiderman press tour, and to finish off the year, Dune: Part Three. Besides applauding the designers who created the pieces she has worn, I want to applaud the magnificent Law Roach.
He is a visionary, and learning from his work over the years has taught me so much. I have learned so many lessons about fashion and more from following Law Roach’s expansive career, and today I want to share them with you all.
1) As you mature, take your time finding your style, and exploring fashion.
Many celebrities have had the privilege of receiving styling from Law Roach, but none have worked with him for over half of their life. Zendaya began working with Law Roach in her early teens. With every red carpet, interview, gala, and event, this woman has never looked any less than elegant and effortless. Many young women, especially young female celebrities, feel immense pressure to mature early, and transition from childhood to adulthood in a wink. Law Roach helped Zendaya to explore fashion, but at her own pace. Particularly, in her early twenties, Zendaya’s looks pushed limits, but not at the expense of her character or values.
To all of the young individuals who are approaching or just stepped into your adulthood, take your time. Fashion is something meant to be enjoyed, so try out different pieces, mix and match funky color combos, and don’t make yourself feel compromised through the way you dress. You never want to look back at old photos and not recognize the person in them. Everyone’s style will evolve and change throughout their lifetime, but the soul inside should always hold true and remain the same as the person grows.
2) Tell a story with your clothes, because they help create a narrative.
Storytellers don’t only put pen to paper, they bring ideas to life with carefully crafted narratives that suck you in. During The Drama press tour, Law Roach used the tradition of Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed and Something Blue to build a scavenger hunt for fans. With each subsequent press event Zendaya did, fans made guesses at what she would wear. It was exciting digging into the archives, and looking at past runway looks.
Not everyone can put together a series of masterful looks, but we can start painting a picture with our outfits. When you pick out your outfit, start by asking yourself “What do I want to evoke today?” Do you want to evoke confidence, a certain period of time, a value you hold, or all three at once? You don’t need 4 looks to tell a story. One is more than enough for a beginning, middle, and end.
3) Never dress how you think you’re supposed to dress.
Outside of Zendaya, Law Roach has dressed some of the most respected and admired individuals in the world including the one and only Celine Dion. Dion and Roach began their thriving partnership in 2016. With him, Dion has unleashed her lively and full personality through her clothing. When she steps out for photos, it’s so obvious that she feels at home in her outfit from her carefree and fun demeanor. I feel like Celine Dion is always having a good time, but her clothing helps emphasize that. The world is always dictating how women should dress especially as they age, but Roach and Dion said screw that.
Fashion should never become more restrictive as you grow older. You are allowed to wear something in your twenties, then in your thirties, then in your forties, and so forth. Clothes don’t have an age limit or expiration date. We have grouped certain age groups in boxes, and taken away their sense of risk, and fun. Everyone should have the opportunity to play around with their wardrobe no matter their age. When it comes to style, age is just a number.
4) Value vintage pieces.
Before his styling career skyrocketed, Law Roach actually owned two vintage stories in Chicago and New York City. This not very well known fact explains so much about his styling choices and personal wardrobe as well. In a world where people are always trying to create or find something new, Roach appreciates pieces that are already here because he values their artistry. The vintage pieces Roach finds for his clients are jaw dropping, but his personal collection is completely unmatched. He owns pieces that were on the runways or magazines from 10+ years ago, that people forgot existed. It takes an immense amount of work to source and acquire these pieces, and he’s kickstarted my desire to grow a vintage collection.
Everyone thrifts now and then because it’s much more sustainable than always buying new. Besides everyday clothing, we should also be thrifting luxury pieces as well. There’s a feeling of fulfillment that comes from finding a specific vintage piece you’ve had your eye on for years. Unlike buying new, there’s a delayed gratification that comes with buying vintage luxury because it takes time to source these pieces. Despite this, we should continue to value vintage because these pieces hold stories that may otherwise be lost without them.
5) Relationships matter.
One last thing that I have learned from Law Roach’s lasting career is that relationships matter. When Roach first began his styling career, it didn’t immediately grow into what it is now. It took years of fostering relationships with designers, but also with his clients. He stood up for his clients to ensure they wore the best pieces. His clients also stood up for him to ensure he was in the important rooms. Law Roach’s career took decades to build and was aided by the relationships he fostered, kept, and maintained.
It’s the same with any relationship you have in life. In order for that relationship to become longstanding, it takes active work. You need to continuously check in, reach out, and also give back. Relationships are a two way street that both parties should benefit and grow from.
Thank you all for reading this week’s post. I hope you enjoyed this snapshot of Law Roach’s career. Make sure to subscribe to be notified of new ones. Stay sharp 😉