This week, Law Roach, one of the most notable stylists in the fashion world made an unexpected announcement this week on social media that he is retiring. His comments were immediately flooded with support from followers expressing how much the fashion game needs him, but Law says, “the false narratives finally got me!”
Shortly after the announcement on Instagram that sent the fashion world into a tailspin, he gave more insight to the announcement. He told Vogue magazine that he plans to resign from celebrity styling, but that he will pivot into other areas of fashion. That same night, he made his debut as a runway model in the Boss spring 2023 fashion show in Miami.
Roach began styling in the mid 2000's and opened up a boutique named 'Deliciously Vintage' in Chicago with his business partner Siobahn Strong. Roach explained that items from the boutique were "hand picked" or "color coordinated" for its clients to save the hassle of having to dig for what you want like other local boutiques. He told New City Design, that although they have a few designer items, “We don’t focus on designers; we focus on design. If it’s a great dress, I don’t care if Grandma Sue made it in the eighties; it’s a great dress.” The boutique gained popularity after Kanye West, also from Chicago made a visit to the store in 2009. Fast forward to 2016, Law was selected as a judge on cycle 23 of America’s Next Top Model. Some of his most famous clients include Celine Dion, Kehlani, and Zendaya. Law has been a permanent judge on the reality competition show 'Legendary' which streams on HBO Max. Legendary highlights the world of ballroom culture in the LGBTQ community. In 2019, he was named "stylist of the year" during the Harlem Fashion Row Awards. Essence magazine reports that he styled 10 celebrity clients for the 2021 Met Gala.
He was recognized and awarded by the CFDA in 2022 and is recognized for his long standing friendship with actress Zendaya. He says he does not plan to stop working with her, and that he thinks that many of the women who work with him do so "because I’m a storyteller, but you also have to have a level of confidence,” (LA Times, 2019).
Early on, Roach was inspired by Rachel Zoe and has said that he didn't have very many stylists of color to look up to in the Hollywood community. He expressed to the LA Times that he always wanted to be known as a Black stylist and wants to open more doors for people of color. Now with the announcement of his retirement, the world will have to wait to see what's next for Law Roach.