Iconic celebrity stylist Law Roach has rocked the fashion world with the announcement that he’s retiring. The news comes two days after he dressed Hunter Schafer, Megan Thee Stallion, Kerry Washington, Hailee Steinfeld and Eve Jobs for the 2023 Oscars afterparty over the weekend.
The self-described “image architect” shared a statement on social media on Tuesday writing, “My Cup is empty….. Thank you to everyone who’ve supported me and my career over the years. Every person that trusted me with their image, I’m so grateful for you all. If this business was just about the clothes, I would do it for the rest of my life but unfortunately, it’s not! The politics, the lies and false narratives finally got me! You win … I’m out. ❤️❤️❤️”
Fashion luminaries quickly filled the comments section, expressing their love and begging Roach not to quit. Fellow celebrity stylists Karla Welch and Maeve Reilly simply commented, “No,” while Brad Goreski wrote, “Don’t do it LAW. We need you!❤️.” Elizabeth Stewart added, “Call me if you need to talk!❤️❤️❤️❤️.”
Designer Christian Siriano commented, “Absolutely not,” while Valentino creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli wrote, “No way.” Famed editor Edward Enninful assured Roach that he “will always have a home @britishvogue ❤️,” and supermodel Naomi Campbell left an inspiring message, “Law I won’t let you!!!! We don’t quit .. strived too hard.”
Roach is responsible for some of the most memorable celebrity style moments of the last few years. Throughout his career, Roach’s top clientele has included the likes of Celine Dion, Tom Holland, Tiffany Haddish, race car driver Lewis Hamilton, Priyanka Chopra, Keke Palmer, Anya Taylor-Joy, Bella Hadid, Emma Watson and Zendaya who has modeled so many masterpiece vintage creations thanks to Roach.
Always one to understand the assignment, Roach was dubbed the industry’s “most important fashion stylist” by The Hollywood Reporter in 2021. That same year, Zendaya took home the CFDA Fashion Icon Award, lauding her right-hand man’s sartorial efforts in her acceptance speech. “Thankfully, when I was 14, I found my co-director of sorts. One who saw what I did and sometimes, more than I ever could have imagined on my own, that being Law Roach. My fashion soulmate, historian, and constant inspiration, thank you for pushing me to see all of myself and teaching me how to do so fearlessly.”
The award-winning stylist got his start as a vintage broker, collecting and curating rare finds. Roach’s client list exploded after he opened his first boutique, Deliciously Vintage with locations in both his native Chicago and Harlem, New York.
Zendaya and Roach have been known for consistently pulling together beautifully curated ensembles from the past. In fact, many of Zendaya’s archival style moments were pulled from Roach’s vast personal archives, including the past works of Bob Mackie and Yves Saint Laurent.
Most recently, the Golden Globe winner wore a Versace black gown with lime green accents from the Italian fashion house’s Spring/Summer 2002 Couture collection, and recreated a Prada ensemble from the Spring/Summer 1993 collection for the 2023 NAACP Image Awards in February, with help from Roach.
Here’s hoping Roach just needs a break from the industry and that he’ll make a triumphant return sooner rather than later.
