Law Roach’s meteoric rise to the top of the industry is nothing short of inspiring. After moving to Los Angeles from Chicago to pursue a career in fashion, the image architect  became one of the most in-demand stylists today.

Roach has a penchant for creating viral looks and giving major fashion transformations to his roster of clients – Celine Dion, Ariana Grande, Hunter Schafer, Priyanka Chopra, and Zendaya among them. Along the way, he has become a celebrity in his own right. Roach has starred on the cover of The Hollywood Reporter’s stylist issue, serves as a judge on HBO Max’s Legendary show, was recently appointed the West Coast Editor of British Vogue, and launched his own design collaboration with Herve Leger.

Roach is the perfect representation of a modern-day stylist, and is the perfect candidate for the CFDA’s Inaugural Stylist Award.

We sat down with Roach to learn more about the key to his success.

When you think about some of the key ingredients to your success, what comes to mind? 

Work hard, believe in yourself, and treat others the way you want to be treated. I didn’t come to LA with anything, I never interned, and I was never anyone’s assistant. I didn’t really have any mentors. I just basically said, “this is what I want to do and I’ll figure it out.” And I did.

Were there any instances you remember where you had to go to bat for yourself, and you weren’t sure what the outcome would be? 

I think that’s my entire career, honestly. I’m still going to bat for myself. I never let anyone tell me that I couldn’t do something. I wasn’t linked to any legacy, lineage, or magazine. I did it all on my own. I never really had anyone to say, “that’s not possible, you can’t have this client, you can’t become an editor.” I just really believed I could do whatever I wanted to do. Confidence is the key. If I don’t know how to do it, I’ll learn and I’ll get good at it. And that’s really the whole foundation behind my career.

Are there any career breakthrough moments that stand out to you? 

I think 2017 with Celine Dion in Paris. The Vetements ‘Titanic’ sweatshirt was probably one of the first viral fashion moments on social media. I think that’s when my career changed. I was working with Ariana Grande and Zendaya so I had some pretty big clients, but on a global front, when I went to Paris the next season, it was like “Oh, we love you.” Celine Dion is a queen in every country. I think that’s when people started to also see me as a disruptor. I was doing things that didn’t make sense. If you had closed your eyes and said, “Celine Dion wears a Vetements hoodie,” you would have been like, “You sound stupid.”

You have given attention to so many new designers over the years. What do you find yourself drawn to in new talent? 

I look for clothes that make me feel something. Things that feel exciting or new that I know will stand out on a red carpet and to so many other people. It doesn’t always have to be the prettiest dress. It could be the most interesting one. And that’s really what I’ve always led with.

My job is really emotional. My relationship with clothes and fashion is emotional, almost spiritual in a way. So I’m always looking for things that evoke that feeling for me. I’m a dreamer. If I look at it, I remember it and I dream about it, then probably that’s the one.

What do you look for in taking on a new project or a new client? How do you know it’s the right fit and how do you make those decisions? 

I really believe that the universe puts you in peoples’ lives at the exact moment you’re supposed to be there. I’ve been working with Megan Thee Stallion for the last few months. We did two seasons of a TV show together and we were together three times a week and I watched her go through a couple of stylists. When I got the call, it wasn’t like, “What took you so long?” It was more like, “Now it’s the right time.” And I really believe that.

You do so much beyond the world of styling and have redefined the role of stylist – even coining your own term, ‘Image Architect’. What were some of the steps you took to build your own personal brand? 

It’s funny because I never set out to do any of it, but I did always look at Rachel Zoe as kind of like the blueprint. The Rachel Zoe Project was my peek into the industry. Not saying I wanted to be her, but she had all these clients; she knew all the designers and she went to the shows in Paris. If I had to say that I wanted to model my career as anyone, it would’ve been her.

When you think about relationships with clients, designers, brands, and people in the industry – why has that been so important to your success? 

My whole career was built on relationships. Being a stylist, you have to build and nurture relationships with the brands and PR teams that handle the brands. It really makes your job possible. People had to take a chance on me. I was unknown, so everything I have is built on starting and nurturing those relationships. The people that gave me a shot way back when I first started are still people that I’m super loyal to and vice versa.

Your relationship with Zendaya stands out because it’s rare that a stylist and client work together for so long.

I think Zendaya and I’s relationship has almost become this blueprint of what stylists want when they think of a successful stylist and client relationship. And our relationship goes beyond that – now we’re like family. We’ve grown together. She’s had so many successes in her career and I’m parallel to that with the success I’m having in my career. From the outside looking in, it’s just a beautiful love story of these two people that started their career and had goals, dreams and aspirations. We just said, “We’re going to go out here and do it.” And thank God it worked out.

Do you ever feel like you’re a newcomer or have something to prove? 

Everyday. I still feel like there’s more I can do. Last year, I did 32 covers for various magazines with different clients, because I just wanted to prove to myself I could do it.

I always want to test myself. I think being complacent helps me keep my ego in check. Not that I have a big ego, but when you make it to a certain level, you have people around you telling you, “You’re the best,” and all that. One thing that keeps me humble is that I know that I am in a service industry and I am no different from the trainer, the chef, the nanny, or the dog walker. I am paid to deliver a service. And that’s just the truth.

Do you have any advice, would you give any advice to yourself or anyone who is starting out in fashion now? 

Follow your instincts.

Do you have a mantra you live by? 

When I have any doubts or fear, I just say, “The universe protects and provides.” It’ll protect me from anything that could harm me or shift me from what I’m supposed to be doing. It’ll provide all the opportunities I need, the support, and the love.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.