Reuters/Tom Nicholson
Stylist to the stars Law Roach, whose meteoric rise in the celebrity and fashion worlds captivated the press—he became the first Black person to be named The Hollywood Reporter’s most powerful stylist in 2021—and electrified the red carpet for muses like Issa Rae and Marvel actress Zendaya, announced he’s retiring from the profession in an Instagram post on Tuesday that hints at behind-the-scenes drama potentially prompting his exit.
“The politics, the lies and false narratives finally got me!” Roach wrote. “You win…I’m out.” The stylist’s sudden move is especially shocking given that his career is arguably at its apex: Roach’s longtime, fiercely ambitious styling work with Zendaya is routinely celebrated as some of the best in the business and he’s worked with many other high-profile stars, done guest judging stints on HBO fashion programming and, in 2022, was given the first-ever Stylist Award at the 2022 CFDA Fashion Awards.
His allies in the fashion world seemed floored by the announcement. “Law I won’t let you!!!!” supermodel Naomi Campbell, who’s spoken out extensively about the racism she’s experienced in the fashion industry, wrote on Roach’s post. “We don’t quit…strived too hard.”