Law Roach Spills the Tea on Designers Who Snubbed Zendaya Early in Her Career
Law Roach, the illustrious stylist behind Zendaya's iconic fashion evolution, recently opened up about the designers who initially refused to style the actress.
In an eye-opening interview on The Cutting Room Floor podcast, Roach dished out the juicy details of how some high-profile fashion houses turned down the chance to dress Zendaya during the early stages of her career.
The dynamic duo of Roach and Zendaya has been turning heads since they first teamed up in 2011. However, it wasn’t always a seamless journey to the top of the fashion world. Roach revealed that several top-tier designers deemed Zendaya too "green" for their prestigious outfits.
“I would write the big five,” Roach confessed, as reported by Variety. “I would write Saint Laurent, Chanel, Gucci, Valentino, Dior, and they would all say, ‘No, try again next year. She’s too green. She’s not on our calendar.’”
Zendaya, who skyrocketed to fame with her starring role in HBO’s *Euphoria*, faced a fashion snub from these major brands despite her burgeoning talent. Roach's frustration was palpable as he recounted their dismissive responses. Even after Zendaya’s meteoric rise in Hollywood, which includes two Emmy wins for Best Actress and a prestigious co-chair position at this year’s Met Gala, those early rejections left a lasting impression.
Roach, never one to shy away from the truth, mentioned, “I still have the receipts. By the time she got to [the cover of] American Vogue [in 2017], she still had never worn any of those designers. She still hasn’t.”
While Zendaya has graced photo shoots in outfits from these brands, she remains steadfast in her decision to avoid their looks on the red carpet. Roach emphasized this point, saying, “She still has never worn Dior on a carpet. She still has never worn Chanel on a carpet… still never worn Gucci on a carpet — any press, any appearance, never. Never.”
The first public appearance where Zendaya donned Valentino was under a contractual agreement, highlighting Roach's belief in the principle of one "no" being enough. “When I said, ‘If you say no, it’ll be a no forever,’ that rang true for a long, long time,” Roach stated firmly.
Despite these early setbacks, Roach and Zendaya have continued to dominate the fashion scene. Their collaborative efforts have consistently pushed the boundaries of style, turning red carpets into runways. From the press tours of Zendaya's latest films, *Dune* and *Challengers*, to their unforgettable Met Gala appearances, the duo has proven that rejection can be the fuel for groundbreaking success.
As Roach gears up for his latest venture as co-host of E!'s *OMG Fashun* alongside the ever-controversial Julia Fox, which premiered on May 6, the fashion world eagerly anticipates the next wave of stunning looks from this unstoppable pair.
Zendaya and Law Roach’s journey is a testament to resilience and the power of staying true to one’s vision. Their story is an inspiring reminder that persistence and authenticity can turn initial rejections into spectacular triumphs. So, here’s to the future fashion moments that will continue to leave us in awe, and to the designers who, quite frankly, missed out on dressing an icon in the making.
