In a recent episode of The Cutting Room Floor podcast with host Recho Omondi, Law Roach, Zendaya’s longtime personal stylist, opened up about the challenges they faced at the beginning of her career. Roach revealed that prominent designer labels initially refused to collaborate with Zendaya, citing reasons such as her being “too green” and not being on their calendars.
Law Roach recalled reaching out to top fashion houses including Saint Laurent, Chanel, Gucci, Valentino, and Dior, only to receive rejections. Despite these setbacks, Roach persisted, keeping records of their responses. He emphasized that Zendaya’s rise to fame, including her Met Gala debut and her first American Vogue cover, did not change designers’ attitudes immediately.
Law Roach on Zendaya being rejected from major fashion brands such as Gucci, Chanel, Dior, Saint Laurent and Valentino in the early parts of her career:
“They would all say no, try again next year […] so when I said if you say no it’ll be a no forever, that rang true for a… pic.twitter.com/KqTWj8Z7Ca
— Pop Base (@PopBase) May 10, 2024
Even after achieving significant milestones in her career, Zendaya continued to face resistance from these brands. Law Roach highlighted that she has not worn outfits from the “Big 5” designers on red carpets, with the exception of Valentino. He pointed out that Zendaya’s public wearing of Valentino only began after she signed a significant contract with the brand in 2020.
Roach emphasized the impact of the brands’ initial refusals, stating that Zendaya has not worn looks from these companies on red carpets or made public appearances in their designs. He stressed the importance of designers’ initial decisions, noting that their refusal to collaborate with Zendaya had long-lasting consequences.
Addressing the prevalence of vintage looks in Zendaya’s wardrobe, Roach explained that sourcing archival pieces became a necessity when they first started working together. With few designers willing to dress Zendaya, Roach turned to vintage pieces, drawing from his background in vintage fashion.
Law Roach’s comments shed light on the challenges faced by Zendaya and other Black artists in the fashion industry, where systemic barriers and biases can limit opportunities for representation. Despite these obstacles, Zendaya and Law Roach have carved out a unique style narrative, incorporating vintage pieces and collaborating with designers who are willing to champion diversity and inclusion.
As Zendaya continues to break barriers and redefine fashion norms, Roach’s words serve as a reminder of the importance of inclusivity and openness within the fashion community. The episode underscores the need for greater representation and support for artists from marginalized communities, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to shine on the world stage.