Image architect Law Roach releases a new book – his manifesto on building confidence and style.
“Today I got a call from my publisher and they wanted me to write a book. So I went to the store and got all the ingredients that I need to create a really interesting book,” A-list fashion guru Law Roach says on an Instagram Reel. He pulls out eggs, oranges, olive oil, and an Hermès clutch and appears to cut it all up and toss it in the oven to cook up the perfect book. The whole skit is wonderfully tongue-in-cheek. The result? How to Build a Fashion Icon: Notes on Confidence from the World’s Only Image Architect with a foreword by Jeremy Scott and published by Abrams will launch worldwide this month. It features chapters with titles like “Assessing your foundations”; “Crafting your style story”; “Don’t be afraid to be unique”; and “Manifest and reflect.”
“Writing my own book was a liberating experience,” Roach shares. “I discovered an innate sense of freedom through the process. It offered a unique form of creativity that was different from my other work.” He explains that it was important to pen the project now, adding, “It gave me purpose after my retirement.”
On March 14, 2023, Roach announced that he was “out,” expressing in an Instagram post that “the politics, the lies, and false narratives finally got me!” Today, in the midst of a renaissance, he is adamant to work on his own terms and has since delved into creative endeavors like writing this book and acting in comedic satire Reels for Alexis Bittar that have garnered millions of views. Roach, who describes himself as being a “curious” child growing up in Chicago, is “still very curious” and has worked with Naomi Campbell, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. He points to styling Céline Dion as a turning point in his career.
“I tailor my approach by figuring out who they [celebrities] are as individuals, as women, as creatives, and as human beings,” he explains of his highly sought-after expertise. “It’s about understanding each celebrity’s unique personality and essence.” Naturally, he’s also crafted a signature look of his own, known for his long, stallion-like mane of hair and penchant for three-piece tailored suiting. To Roach, clothes are not just garments – they serve a higher purpose; they are character building. “My advice for someone struggling with confidence would be to identify a piece of clothing they already own that makes them feel most beautiful,” he offers. “Always turn to that item when you need a boost of confidence. It can serve as a spark to feel more self-assured.” He has a personal fashion archive that he aspires to one day feature in a retrospective of his storied career. “It’s something I envision happening in the distant future,” he muses. Fashion, he says, is “in my DNA and an integral part of who I am as a person.”
It’s also what has earned him industry-wide acclaim and a recognizable name that is synonymous with high-profile, sartorial excellence. In May 2021, Roach was selected as The Hollywood Reporter’s top stylist of the year. In 2022, he received the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s inaugural award recognizing the profession. He remains optimistic about the fashion world, saying that while it’s hard to predict how it will evolve in the next few years, he hopes it will “become more diverse and inclusive. Ideally, it will promote and nurture fashion designers from all regions of the world.”
Originally published in the October 2024 issue of Vogue Arabia
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