Zendaya’s stylist, Law Roach, made headlines when he revealed that he has blacklisted the “big five” fashion houses – Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Valentino, and Saint Laurent – from the wardrobe of the actress. Roach shared on a fashion podcast that these luxury brands had initially rejected dressing Zendaya in her early career because they considered her “too green” and told him to try again next year. He stated that the designers kept saying no to dressing Zendaya until she graced the cover of American Vogue, and he has the evidence to prove it.
Roach emphasized that he takes no for forever when it comes to working with designers who initially reject Zendaya. Despite her success and popularity, he revealed that Zendaya has never worn Chanel, Dior, Gucci, or Valentino on any carpets or appearances and has only worn Valentino publicly when she had a contract. The stylist believes in holding the fashion industry accountable for their actions and attitudes towards talented individuals like Zendaya, and he has decided to no longer work with these designers who snubbed her in the past.
The strong bond between Zendaya and Law Roach is evident in their professional relationship, where they always support each other. Roach recounted how Zendaya, even at a young age, stood up for him in boardrooms and important meetings, ensuring that his voice was heard and respected. Despite retiring from styling in 2023, Roach cannot refuse Zendaya’s requests, especially when she asked him to style her for the Met Gala where she wore archival John Galliano. Their collaboration is described as “big ideas, small details,” with Roach coming up with elaborate styling concepts and Zendaya preferring a more minimalist approach.
The dynamic duo of Zendaya and Law Roach has a history of supporting each other throughout their respective careers. Zendaya was an advocate for Roach even early in both of their careers when people tried to undermine his presence in important settings. She constantly ensured that he was not overlooked and that his opinions and ideas were given the attention they deserved. Roach credits Zendaya with giving him the confidence to assert himself in various professional environments and recognizes her as a strong and positive influence in his life.
Roach’s dedication to Zendaya goes beyond professional boundaries as he once retired from styling but returned because he cannot turn down a request from the actress. Their relationship is built on trust, respect, and creativity, where Roach brings bold ideas to the table, and Zendaya provides thoughtful insights and adjustments. The stylist compared their collaboration to writing a script, with him proposing numerous possibilities and Zendaya refining the choices to ensure a cohesive and impactful final look. Their partnership is a testament to their mutual admiration, creativity, and shared commitment to excellence in the fashion industry.
