Law Roach on Styling Zendaya, Met Gala Prep and Room Service

Some stylists dress people. Law Roach builds whole images. He is widely credited with helping Zendaya grow from Disney star into one of the best-known red carpet names of her generation, including the unforgettable checkered Louis Vuitton coat dress she wore to a Challengers premiere. He has also styled Anya Taylor-Joy, Celine Dion and Tiffany Haddish.

Here is what he had to say about luxury, Met Gala preparation and what makes a look work.

Law Roach: a career with a few plot twists

Roach has appeared twice on the cover of The Hollywood Reporter and watched clients collect CFDA Awards. He retired from styling in 2023, only to return to dress Zendaya again, along with a newer muse, Ryan Destiny. He has written a book and launched an online learning platform for stylists called School of Style, and he is joining the new season of Project Runway.

He says the platform stands out because the lessons are taught by working stylists with real-world experience. Asked what kind of Project Runway mentor he will be, tough love or cheerleader, he teased that viewers will have to watch and see.

The Met Gala ritual

For the Met Gala, which he styled Zendaya for, Roach teamed up with a favourite New York hotel on a special cocktail. It was made with Johnnie Walker, yellow dragon fruit, orange and turmeric, and he describes it as sultry like his style, colourful like his personality and vibrant like the places we dream of visiting.

His answers about it are short and fun:

• If the cocktail were a Met Gala look, it would wear Burberry.
• It suits fashion people because it tastes like luxury.
• It works before an event, after one, or both, because a good drink suits every occasion.

Preparing for what he calls fashion’s Super Bowl is not as hectic as you might think. His method in the days before is simply to take a nap. Afterwards, he celebrates with the cocktail, along with Ruffles and caviar.

What luxury means on the road

When the Met Gala chaos hits, Roach says a place that feels like home keeps him grounded. For him, luxury is comfort and service, such as being welcomed warmly and getting a hand with boots that will not come off. The small detail that matters most in a busy week is good quality sheets.

His room service order is Cheddar and Sour Cream Ruffles with caviar, and these days his own cocktail as well. His favourite SoHo spots for food, drinks and last-minute finds are Lure Fishbar, 2nd Street Vintage, Blue Ribbon Sushi and Cipriani.

Image architecture and the Zendaya lesson

At the heart of Roach’s teaching is the idea of image architecture. In his words, it goes beyond choosing a pretty dress. He looks for a style that reflects inner confidence, and he studies a client’s current image to plan the story they want to tell the world next.

That is also the thread that links Zendaya and Anya Taylor-Joy, two women with very different tastes. Whoever he dresses, he aims for looks that make them feel their most confident, because confidence is what makes or breaks an outfit.

The biggest lesson Zendaya has taught him is the same one. With confidence, you can be whoever you want and wear whatever you like. It is advice that works far beyond the red carpet.