Celebrity stylist Law Roach has revealed that actress Zendaya will never wear designs from the five luxury fashion houses that refused to dress her early in her career.
Speaking in an interview with American comedian and presenter Ziwe, Roach explained that while he has personally let go of past grudges, the actress will remain firm in declining to work with those specific brands.
Roach and Zendaya have worked together for more than a decade, creating looks that helped establish the Emmy-winning actress as one of Hollywood's leading fashion icons. The stylist has stood by her side since the early years of her career and recalled how major luxury fashion brands initially turned her down.
Luxury fashion houses that rejected Zendaya
The five major fashion houses that declined to dress Zendaya during her initial steps in the entertainment industry were Saint Laurent, Dior, Valentino, Chanel, and Gucci. Roach noted that he did not forget their initial refusal once Zendaya grew into a regular presence on major global red carpets.
Valentino stands as the sole exception among the group. Although the Italian luxury house originally declined to style the actress, Zendaya later wore Valentino creations and formally became a brand ambassador for the fashion house in 2020.
Rejections documented from early career
Roach previously detailed the rejections during an appearance on the fashion podcast The Cutting Room Floor, hosted by designer Recho Omondi. He explained that when he contacted representatives at those five fashion houses, they requested that he try again the following year, offering explanations that Zendaya was too new to the scene or that she did not fit into their promotional plans at the time.
The stylist stated that he still retains the written records and email evidence of those initial refusals from the fashion houses.
Changing attitudes toward personal grudges
During his conversation with Ziwe, Roach acknowledged that his personal perspective regarding past conflicts has evolved over time. He explained that holding a grudge carries significance, but he felt he was past the age of holding onto bitterness. Roach said that harboring resentment makes a person look unattractive, and in his effort to present his best self, he decided to release some of the grudges he had carried for years.
To demonstrate how his personal stance toward those fashion houses had softened, Roach pointed out that he was wearing Saint Laurent during the interview. However, he drew a clear distinction between his personal choices and Zendaya's wardrobe decisions. When Ziwe asked directly if the actress would ever wear clothing from those specific brands in the future, Roach offered an immediate and emphatic refusal.
A bond beyond stylist and muse
The enduring weight of those early rejections reflects the close personal and professional partnership between Roach and Zendaya. The stylist began collaborating with Zendaya when she was still a Disney Channel performer, supporting her trajectory long before she developed into one of the most prominent actresses of her generation.
In the interview, Roach described their connection as one soul sharing two bodies. He explained that Zendaya serves as his best friend, trusted advisor, younger sister, and occasional sparring partner in arguments, emphasizing that he considers her an integral part of his family.
While Roach has chosen to move past some of his own lingering resentment, the initial reluctance of major fashion houses to support Zendaya at the start of her Hollywood career remains a boundary that the styling team is unwilling to cross.
