Sure, we can’t all be Zendaya, slaying red carpets left and right, but thanks to a new book from her stylist Law Roach, we’ll now have the tips to at least try.
Roach’s new book, How to Build a Fashion Icon: Notes on Confidence from the World’s Only Image Architect, shares the secrets behind his distinctive approach to red carpet dressing. With an A-list clientele that includes Zendaya, Hunter Schafer, Céline Dion, Megan Thee Stallion, and countless others, Roach, through his book, offers a behind-the-scenes look at how he’s cultivated wardrobes fit for fashion icons. “You’ve been loyal and stood beside me through this long and winding journey,” Roach writes of Zendaya. “Hopefully you don’t mind if I let the world into a few of our secrets in the next few pages.”
Vogue read How to Build a Fashion Icon ahead of its release, and curated 8 key style tips worth taking away. Follow them, and maybe—just maybe—you’ll start dressing like an A-lister, too.
The key is confidence
Roach’s number-one rule for looking flawless on a red carpet is all about exuding power and confidence—making sure you’re wearing the clothes; the clothes shouldn’t wear you. “There is a reason that people fell in love with clips of Megan Thee Stallion in a vintage 1997 Paco Rabanne two-piece look,” Roach writes. “What people were really applauding was that they could sense she felt like she was ‘that girl.’”
Roach adds that confidence is a muscle that can be trained; you can hone it with practice. “People will tell you that self-confidence is a sort of innate or natural thing, but that’s not always true. . . Building confidence is a gradual process that involves self-awareness, practice, and self-acceptance.” In other words: A killer fashion moment begins from the inside, before you even put anything on.
Photo: Courtesy of Abrams Books
Cultivate your identity
Roach suggests thinking of clothes as a way to convey your identity. “Think of your style as your visual personality. It’s the way you show up in the world,” he writes. “Before you start thinking of any of the clothes that you think will make you a fashion icon, it’s important to understand that the clothing is just a form of communication. You’re talking to the world without opening your mouth.”
He adds that pieces in your closet should reflect your inner passions, values, and goals; If you’re gunning for that important job promotion, for example, lean in on sleek and professional garments—you fashion should visualize where you wish to head. “Style is a way of presenting yourself to the world, and it can help you to remind yourself of a few things,” he says.
Embrace storytelling
A killer red carpet look, Roach shares, is one that always tells a bigger story. “I don’t just create looks. I create moments,” he writes. “At the end of the day, I am a storyteller. When I work with anyone—whether it’s for editorial, for an event, or for a red carpet—there has to be some type of narrative. I have to know what I’m trying to say before I approach the wardrobe. I just use the clothes to express that.”
Dress according to emotions—not trends
While many stylists will look to the biggest seasonal trends or designers for inspiration, Roach says he prefers a more emotional response to putting together looks. He adds that it’s an important tip for anyone to remember, as it will help find more unique end results. “When I’m in a fitting with a client, it’s often not about which dress is prettiest, or which pair of pants provides the perfect fit,” he writes. “It’s about which pieces give them some type of emotion. I look for that take-your-breath-away moment—and it doesn’t always come from the clothes you’d expect.”