Guests flocked to Howard Theatre on Oct. 7 to hear celebrated stylist Law Roach speak about his new book, “How to Build a Fashion Icon: Notes on Confidence From the World’s Only Image Architect.”
In a conversation that featured fashion social media influencer Jenee Naylor, journalist, author MSNBC co-host Symone Sanders Townsend; and celebrity makeup artist Kym Lee, Roach fans were treated to jokes about his lace front wigs, and offered style tips and advice on building confidence, along with a free copy of the book.
“If y’all want a book about style agency, then go read that other lady’s book. That’s not what my book is about. My book is about us getting to the place where we love ourselves the most,” said Roach, who also signed books and took pictures at the end of the event.
Roach began his career in his hometown of Chicago in 2009. While working at a former boutique in the Chicago area, Deliciously Boutique, Kanye West entered the establishment, followed by paparazzi.
Roach built on this moment with the fellow Chicago native and began his career as a stylist. Over the years, he has established himself as a self-proclaimed “image architect,” working with celebrities such as Zendaya, Celine Dion, Ariana Grande, Monica and more.
Now retired, the talk was peppered with sage-like style advice from Roach, tidbits about confidence and stories about other fashion greats like Dapper Dan and Andre Leon Talley.
As a Black queer man in the fashion industry, he struggled to create a name for himself due to his race and his sexuality. Others in the industry tried to count him out, but he noted the importance of his work ethic and determination to get to his current status.
“I didn’t just do the work. I outworked everybody,” he explained.
During the Q&A portion of the event, guests asked Roach for business advice, stories of his time in the world of fashion and thanked him for the impact he has made in the industry.
“For the little gay Black boys like me who maybe did not have male role models, you represent that for us. You are the Black uncle and father that many of us did not have. As you are in your retirement deciding what you want to be, I want you to know that you have already been so much to so many of us,” an attendee named Justin told Roach when posing his question.
While it is uncertain what he will do next in retirement, Roach’s impact on the fashion industry continues.
“My legacy has always been that I want to be known for more than putting a pretty girl in a pretty dress. It always has to be more for me,” Roach said. “When I’m gone, I want people to stand at my funeral and talk about how I changed their life, big or small.”