As the man behind the Zendaya and Anya Taylor-Joy’s ultra-chic looks, Law Roach brings a special flair to awards season fashion. Usually, right before a big event, you’ll find him helping one of his clients get ready for their closeups, but this weekend at the MTV Movie and Television Awards, Roach took center stage. Nominated for Best Fight in an unscripted series alongside Legendary guest judge Dominique Jackson, he put forth a high drama red carpet moment all his own.
Dressed in a custom Vera Wang look with piles of diamonds and his signature pin-straight locks, the image architect was in his element. The shift from behind-the-scenes to in front of the camera was a natural progression. “You always see me holding someone’s train or standing behind someone right as they step up to take their picture,” he shared on the phone from Los Angeles. “So having the experience of walking the carpet, being interviewed, and styling myself was a wonderful experience.”
Given the breadth of his archives, Roach didn’t have to look far to find his MTV Awards outfit. Wang had made the one-of-a-kind plaid suit for him pre-quarantine, and it had been sitting in his closet ever since. “I’ve been waiting for a good time to wear it,” says Roach. “Everyone asked what I was going to wear and if I needed to pull clothes, but I thought I already have this beautiful look that reflects who I am. I just pulled it out of my closet, and I’m glad that I did because once we did the accessories and the glam, it was such a special moment.”
With his outfit in check, Roach added on a few of his favorite final touches. Namely, a pair of Bottega Veneta platforms he’d purchased during lockdown and the sparkling Tiffany and Co. necklaces he had styled Taylor-Joy in during their The Hollywood Reporter shoot weeks earlier. “I fell in love with it when we were doing that shoot,” says Roach. “Because the look has such a high neckline I wound up sewing the necklace into it, as it was originally made for a petite woman!” Even Roach’s Cher-worthy center-parted and pin-straight hair has a story. “My grandmother had extremely long hair and, she used to wear it parted in the middle,” explains Roach. “So it’s a reference that I grew up with and one that has become my signature.”
The prize for the top fight may have gone to Kim Kardashian and her sister Kourtney for their Keeping Up with the Kardashians blowout, but for Roach, the night was a win regardless. Any opportunity to shine a light on Legendary and the magic of the ballroom community is worthwhile. “I feel like I’m using my platform to shine a light on this incredible community of Black and Brown people whose talents have been underappreciated,” he says. “I’m so proud to be on Legendary; the nomination was just a cherry on top because anything that brings more eyes to the ballroom scene is phenomenal.”
After knocking the ball out of the park with his awards show debut, Roach intends to keep the glamour coming. “Oh, I’m ready,” he says of his future on the red carpet. “Time to battle Billy Porter!”