Law Roach's new book is about finding confidence through personal style

Law Roach is truly the master of reinvention. His ten-plus years as a celebrity stylist were so prolific (as were his clientele) that he renamed the profession and trademarked the term “image architect.” The title is more than appropriate considering Roach is responsible for some of the most influential style muses of the 21st century: Zendaya, Celine Dion, Hunter Schafer, Bella Hadid and Megan Thee Stallion. Even Lindsay Lohan's triumphant return to Hollywood included a movie montage-like sheen courtesy of Roach.

It seems that the Chicago-born fashion innovator is sticking to his old tricks and is now reimagining the concept of retirement. We all remember where we were when Roach announced he would be retiring from styling at the end of 2023. Mouths around the world were open and in awe as he seemed to be at the peak of his professional success. In an interview with PeopleRoach explained his decision by saying, “I realized I didn't know how to be happy. I didn't know how to be healthy. I didn't know how to be whole. Once I figured all that out, I said, “You know what? It's time to go. It no longer serves me.'”

To be clear, the exit didn't mean he was completely out of the game. In fact, fans were relieved to see Roach continue his creative relationships with longtime clients and friends like Zendaya and Dion. But make no mistake, he put the brakes on his whirlwind styling journey and moved on to other ventures and passion projects that better served him – and the fashion community… including a book. Yes, on October 1st, Roach's new groundbreaking guide How to Build a Fashion Icon: Confidence Advice from the World's Only Image Architect hits the shelves.

In a recent phone call with TZR, Roach explained that he was able to flex new muscles by writing this book, which takes readers behind the scenes of his unique styling process and provides tips for living the most authentic, stylish life possible. “When I retired, I felt like I needed to do something creative,” he says. “(The book) ended up becoming something therapeutic for me that was just about expressing thoughts. It also gave me time to reflect on this decades-long career that I have been so fortunate to have.”

Like a classic domino effect, this also led to another initiative for the greater good: an online education program aptly named School of Style. With courses being announced in early October, this new platform – like his new book – aims to equip aspiring stylists and fashion lovers with the tools and knowledge Law wanted when he started.

“I know there are so many people who dream of a career like mine and are so far removed from the industry that it seems almost impossible,” he says. “This platform gives them not only a university education to become a stylist, but also a financial education about taxes and the type of business you should be, credit agreements and all the things that I didn't learn until it was too late.” (…) I think that I could leave a strong impression on the world and on this industry that goes beyond just wearing beautiful women in beautiful clothes.”

Below, Roach discusses his new book, his school of style, and his life after retirement.

Why did you choose a self-help aspect rather than a traditional memoir?

I just thought it might be more useful to the reader. Some of my clients have told me that working with me has helped them gain more confidence and take more risks with clothing. I thought if I could instill the same kind of confidence in the reader it would only help. (It made it easier for me to read and help me with it, and I just feel like I can immediately see the help it hopefully gives people.

What do you hope people get out of it?

The entire book is about self-confidence and using fashion and clothing to build and maintain it. There are no fashion tips on how to look good at this age or with this figure, this is not the case at all. It's anecdotes from my experiences with my clients, some lessons I learned at a young age, and all the things that helped me grow from this little boy from Chicago who wasn't technically in the fashion industry to one world-renowned stylist to become an image architect. And for me the through line and the root of all of this is just trust.

What do you hope people will learn about you that they may not have known before?

(I think the book will make me more relatable, and that's what I want. When I was thrust into this world of celebrity and achieved this kind of fame, I felt like it took me far away from where where I come from and who I am. I wanted to use the book to narrow the gap between me and the people who have supported me over time, who have enjoyed my work, who have left great comments and sent nice notes. I just want to shorten this gap and bring myself closer to the people who supported me.

Did you learn anything about yourself while writing this book?

I did that. I really did. I think again, when I retired I had several reasons. But I realized that I really didn't know much about myself, and writing the book helped me relearn who I was and restore my values ​​- even the reason I decided to be a stylist in the first place to become. It has also helped me reach the state of joy and happiness that I currently find myself in. I learned that happiness is a habit that we need to continually work on. I hope that everything I have gained from writing will be passed on to the reader.

How was retirement? How has it affected your mental health?

It gave me strength. (Before) I felt compelled to say yes to every opportunity that came my way during my work, and now I have this feeling of power where I feel like I can make better decisions. It gives me greater judgment and allows me to do things that fulfill me.

It's great for my mental health because I can work whenever I want, with whoever I want to work with. And I'll just say one thing: my yes and my no have become much stronger. I can say “no” to so many things without feeling guilty or feeling like I have an obligation to say “yes.” And that's why I say yes to things that I think are important or that might be fun, or to people that I admire. I worked with Naomi Campbell, which inspires me. My work with Zendaya will always endure and I get to choose in a way I never have before.

Speaking of Zendaya: You dedicate your book to her. How has this relationship affected your life on a professional and personal level?

Personally, I've been together for so long that we grew up together. She's my little sister at this point, my confidant, sometimes she's my therapist, and she's all these different things personally and professionally. I don't believe there would have been a Law Roach as you know it without our partnership. This relationship means a lot to me, it is almost everything.

Who were your style icons as a child? Was there anyone who played a crucial role in your career path in the fashion industry?

I think my earliest style icons were my grandmothers, my Grandma Eloise, who I write about a lot in the book, and the black women in church on Sunday mornings. And then it became people like Cher and Grace Jones. Basically, Zendaya is my ultimate style icon.

You have trademarked the title “Image Architect.” When taking on a new client, what ways are there to tap into their true self to better showcase their personal style? I would like to know your method.

The reason I created this term was because as I thought a lot about what I thought I could bring and the value I brought to clients in new relationships, it seemed so familiar and reminded me , what an architect does. We go out and inspect the land and hire the different contractors to do the different jobs. For me it was like hair, makeup, accessories and clothing. We examine every single thing a customer has worn before (working with) us and try to do a lot of surveys about what made them feel good and what made them feel bad. We take all of this information and create a comprehensive design, just like an architect, helping you become who you want to be in terms of your personal style.

Is there anyone you haven't worked with yet that you would like to work with?

No, not as a stylist, no. I don't really care. If the universe involves me in someone's life for a reason, I accept that, but I'm not actively looking for clients at the moment.

What do you think about the ever-changing trend cycle that essentially makes trends obsolete? Do you think this creates a more unique personal style or changes fashion in a negative way?

I love it. I think it's great that people are becoming more and more individualistic. I think it works wonders for everything. I think it makes the landscape more interesting than years ago when everything was so fancy and people would show up at awards shows and there would be six girls in the same color of dress because that was the color of the season. I think it's a credit to young people, this new generation, that they're focusing on being themselves and being more authentic. I really enjoy this.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in the fashion styling world?

Well, they could start at the School of Style. I really stand behind it. And what makes it special is that it is different from other online education platforms because we have a direct channel to employment and internships. So it's part educational platform, part job placement, so it's going to really, really work.