In 2023, celebrity stylist Law Roach announced his retirement. People blamed Zendaya.

Two days after the 2023 Oscars, celebrity stylist Law Roach announced his retirement.

The 45-year-old, who is famously known for dressing Zendaya, shared the news in a cryptic Instagram post, writing, "My cup is empty."

"If this business was just about the clothes, I would do it for the rest of my life but unfortunately it’s not," he said.

"The politics, the lies and false narratives finally got me! You win… I’m out."

The internet was quick to jump to conclusions — assuming the announcement had something to do with Zendaya's new contract with Louis Vuitton. Roach has since denied this.

But first, remember all that commentary around Zendaya's 2015 Oscars hair? Law Roach was behind that look.

Who is Law Roach?

Law Roach is one of Hollywood's most in-demand stylists. Known as @luxurylaw on Instagram, the "image architect", as he calls himself, most notably works with Zendaya. 

The duo teamed up back in 2011, when the actress was starting out on The Disney Channel's tween sitcom, Shake It Up.

"When she was 14, she didn’t know much about fashion, and we were starting to learn about each other. And I think I had a little bit more say-so in the look," he told Women’s Wear Daily in 2021. 

"But now she’s a grown woman. I think she’s grown, not only the way she chooses and collaborates with me, but in everything."

The stylist is behind some of Zendaya's most memorable looks, including the latex Balmain dress and emerald necklace she wore for the 2021 Venice Film Festival, and her jaw-dropping yellow number for the 2021 Oscars.

Many will remember when Roach attended the 2019 Met Gala with Zendaya, turning the star into Cinderella and posing as her fairy godmother.

Image: Getty.

Image: Getty.

Image: Getty.

When Zendaya won the 2021 CFDA Fashion Icon Award, she thanked Roach for his work.

"Thankfully, when I was 14, I found my co-director of sorts. One who saw what I did and sometimes, more than I ever could have imagined on my own, that being Law Roach," she said.

"My fashion soulmate, historian, and constant inspiration - thank you for pushing me to see all of myself and teaching me how to do so fearlessly."

Roach was also responsible for Celine Dion's style transformation in 2016, and has worked with Naomi Campbell, Bella Hadid, Anne Hathaway and Kanye West — who, interestingly, helped him get his start. In 2009, the controversial rapper went into a Chicago vintage store where Roach was working, bringing the paparazzi and attention with him.

After relocating to LA, Roach began styling celebrities and became a judge on America's Next Top Model.

In 2022, he received the CFDA Stylist Award. 

Did Law Roach really retire?

On March 15, the stylist uploaded a photo to Instagram with the word 'retired' in bold, red font.

The now-deleted post continued, "Thank you to everyone who’ve supported me and my career over the years. Every person that trusted me with their image, I’m so grateful for you all."

Just two days before the shock announcement, Roach had dressed Hunter Schafer (yes, in that feather top), Kerry Washington and Meghan Thee Stallion for the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty.

Fashion designers, stylists and celebrity clients all shared their disbelief in the comments under Law's post.

Valentino creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli wrote, "No way." 

Meanwhile, fellow celebrity stylists Karla Welch and Maeve Reilly said simply, "No."

"Law I won’t let you!!! We don’t quit... strived [too] hard," supermodel and client Naomi Campbell also shared.

Why did people think Zendaya is at fault?

Celebrity gossip account Deux Moi received countless submissions following Roach's retirement announcement, suggesting why the celebrity stylist was stepping down — and several sources said it was to do with Zendaya.

The Dune actress had recently signed a contract with Louis Vuitton and many suggested the collaboration would limit Roach's creative licence. Then a video of the two of them at the Louis Vuitton Autumn/Winter 2023 went viral. 

In it, Zendaya was seated front-row, while Roach was placed behind her. There's speculation the seating incident was the 'final straw'.

"Law is not retiring, he’s frustrated by not getting the respect he deserve [sic] especially at LV," one Deux Moi submission read, as shared via their Instagram Story.

zendaya sitting down next to emma stone at the louis vuitton show reaction video law roach disappointed he has to sit in the second row zendaya pointing behind her meme pic.twitter.com/h1fT8rUahM

— The Memes Archive (@TheMemesArchive) March 7, 2023

These designer brands play nasty nasty. I guess this is what Law Roach meant by politics pic.twitter.com/NyuMfsgMc0

— OkSach (@CashMom__) March 15, 2023

Following the rumours, Roach shared a series of tweets defending Zendaya and their friendship.

"So ya'll really think I'm breaking up with Z... we are forever," he wrote in the first post.

"She's my little sister, and it's real love not the fake industry love," he added.

So y’all really think I’m breaking up with Z….. we are forever!

— LAW ROACH (@LUXURYLAW) March 15, 2023

She’s my little sister and it’s real love not the fake industry love.

— LAW ROACH (@LUXURYLAW) March 15, 2023

Literally me and zendaya…. pic.twitter.com/Ve2dnyzpsW

— LAW ROACH (@LUXURYLAW) March 15, 2023

What really happened between Law Roach and Zendaya.

In a March 2023 interview with The Cut, Roach clarified what actually happened at the Louis Vuitton show. 

"It was a long walk," he told the outlet. "So it was a lot of anxiety, because Zendaya is really respectful and she doesn't like people to have to wait on her, and so it was just anxiety." 

The stylist admitted that he's "used to sitting next" to Zendaya at shows, adding, "So, in my mind, my seat was next to her. So when I got there it wasn't, you know, it wasn't a problem, but there was nobody to tell me where my actual seat was."

As for the clip? "It was her telling me like, 'That's Darnell's seat,' which is her assistant," he said. I'm not gonna sit in Darnell's seat."

Zendaya also addressed the 'scandal' when speaking to Elle in September last year.

"When it happened, I said, 'Oh no, I hope people don't try to create something from this,'" she told the outlet. 

"We're so used to sitting together that he didn't know where to go. But obviously, people want to assume the worst of the situation, which is not always easy to deal with and hurtful."

She also told the publication that Roach is now her creative director.

"He's involved in every fashion contract, everything I do. If I have an opportunity where he can come with me, he’s always going to be there," Zendaya said. 

"He's always been my creative director in a sense, and he continues to fill that role, because it’s more than just clothes on a red carpet."

The duo most recently collaborated for her Dune 2 press tour and for her new rom-com, Challengers.

Feature image: Supplied/Getty.

 Are you someone who values beauty, health, and self-care? Take our short survey to go in the running to win a $50 gift voucher!