Celebrity stylist Law Roach is anything but traditional. He grew up on the South Side of Chicago and didn’t have the same access to the fashion world as someone who grew up in New York or Los Angeles may have. A self-processed vintage addict, Roach started hosting trunk shows for his friends and eventually opened up his own shop in 2009 in Chicago, Deliciously Vintage. Once his store began to attract fashion icons like Kanye West, Roach knew he had to pursue styling as a career. He moved to Los Angeles and the rest is history. Today, he counts Celine Dion, Zendaya, Ariana Grande, Tiffany Haddish, Jessie J. and more as clients and in 2017 he became the first African-American stylist to appear on the cover of The Hollywood Reporter’s Stylists & Stars issue. LUISAVIAROMA caught up with Roach to discuss how he coined the term ‘image architect’, the one thing a woman should always have in her closet, and his favorite style moment so far.
“My personal motto is “who gives a fuck?”
Why ‘image architect’?
I think what I do is a bit more than just styling or just picking clothes. For me, it’s a process, a very cerebral one, and that process is very similar to what an architect does when they build a building. I look at my clients as structures and I play a part in helping them to create this beautiful fashion thing.
When did you start defining your passion as a job?
It goes beyond that at this point. Passion is an understatement – it’s an obsession. It’s what wakes me up every morning, the reason I get out of bed.
Where does your inspiration come from?
My inspiration comes from women – all types, colors, shapes, sizes. Being a woman is an art form in itself, one that I’m very interested in. Wherever I am, I watch women. I watch the way they walk, the way they speak, the way they gently brush their hair off their shoulder.
What do you think a woman should always have in her wardrobe?
A beautiful coat. A really nice trench or something that can be dressed up or down is always important to have.
Do you have any advice for our readers?
Be yourself. Figure out what makes you happy and what makes you feel beautiful. Whatever that thing is, make sure you wear it and love it.
What’s your biggest dream right now and what is your biggest achievement so far?
My career is my biggest achievement overall, and I figured out not too long ago that I had lived all my dreams. So now my biggest dream is to dream bigger and to set new goals. And have a life outside of my work.
You were mentioned by Hollywood Reporter as one of the most influential stylists. You’ve worked with everyone. If you had to pick one name, what would it be?
One of the most memorable things I’ve ever done is Celine Dion at the Billboard Awards last year with the white Stephane Rolland with the big sleeves. Everything was so perfect and I couldn’t believe that I had really done that. To this day, if I see it I stop and stare. For a little brown boy from Chicago to have been a part of that moment, it still blows me away.
What makes Celine Dion such a fashion icon?
Celine is fun and fearless, and that’s the most important part of our equation. Nothing holds her back when it comes to fashion. She wants to try the new and the interesting and the emerging, but then she also wears couture. When you find someone who will not say no – that’s when
you can have all the fun in the world.
Text: LVR Editors
Photographer & Video: Raffaele Grosso
This interview has been edited and condensed.
Special thanks to Law Roach.
