Looking for ways to boost your self-confidence?
Check out these tips and tricks from Law Roach in, “How to Build a Fashion Icon: Notes on Confidence from the World’s Only Image Architect Law Roach.
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Full Disclosure: I’m utterly obsessed with stylist and image architect Law Roach, and his muse, the stunning actress Zendaya Coleman.
The first time I spotted this dynamic duo owning the red carpet, I was intrigued. Who was this charismatic man behind Zendaya’s unforgettable looks?
My curiosity sent me tumbling down a rabbit hole of TV interviews and podcasts, where I discovered a story that left me utterly entranced.
Law’s journey is one of manifestation, of transforming dreams into reality. He has a gift for creating iconic looks that sear themselves into our collective consciousness. And through it all, he remains unapologetically true to himself.
Whenever he speaks, his candor and authenticity shine through, making his path to success feel almost… attainable. Not surprisingly, I ran to pre-order his book, “How to Build A Fashion Icon” from Barnes & Noble even before I knew what it was about.
At first, I assumed it would be a deep dive into the fashion world and his meteoric rise. But what I got was so much more. This book is not only a raw, unfiltered look into Law’s personal and professional life, it’s a guide to making the yourself feel confident, it’s a guide to making yourself feel like your very own fashion icon.
At a time when my self-esteem was on a downward trajectory, Law Roach, gave me a blueprint on how to get that feeling back. Law offers a blueprint for reclaiming your confidence and building the life you want.
Want to know his secrets? Keep reading – I’m about to spill the tea!
THIS POST IS ALL ABOUT “HOW TO BUILD A FASHION ICON”
1. Discover Your Personal Cheerleader
Celine Dion and Kerry Washington are just two of the many clients who sing the praises of stylist Law Roach. They credit him with helping them find the confidence to own their fashion choices.
Throughout “How to Build a Fashion Icon”, Law emphasizes that true confidence isn’t about the clothes you wear, but how you wear them. Confidence radiates from within.
In a heartwarming anecdote, Law shares the time he became Zendaya’s cheerleader. Before she was a household name, 17-year-old Zendaya lacked an invitation to a New York Fashion Week event. Undeterred, Law urged her to attend. “I wanted the world to see the most beautiful girl in the world,” he explains. “They needed to see what I saw.”
He styled her in a bold yellow and blue Miuniku coat paired with distressed Rag & Bone jeans. With a few words of encouragement, he watched as Zendaya stood a little taller, exuding newfound confidence.
In a world that sometimes seems eager to diminish us, it’s essential to surround ourselves with people who uplift us. We should seek out and treasure those who help us stand taller.
Zendaya has spoken publicly about how she created buzz around herself despite being an introverted teenager. Her strategy? Showing up to events uninvited, looking as fierce as possible, and then heading home. For introverts especially, having a support system to cheer you on can be invaluable.
2. REMIND YOURSELF OF HOW BADDASS YOU ARE
Law Roach suggestion: start by making a list of your strengths, skills, and past achievements. Write them down, say them out loud. Feed your mind a steady diet of positive affirmations until they become deeply ingrained in your self-consciousness. Self-doubt will naturally fall away.
Here’s a powerful way to do this: put a positive affirmation on your cellphone’s screensaver. Think about how often we reach for our phones each day. We’re constantly bombarded with unattainable beauty standards and may find ourselves in environments where our contributions go unrecognized.
As much as the negative world reminds you of what you’re not, be even more diligent in reminding yourself of how badass you ARE. What you internalize and project is what others will believe too.
"Replace any self-criticism and negative self-talk with positive affirmations. Replace self-doubt with self-compassion and remind yourself of your strengths and accomplishments.”
3. Create a Blueprint
Hailing from Chicago, Law’s entryway in the fashion industry started with a small vintage clothing shop known as Deliciously Vintage.
Business was steady, but things skyrocketed when Kanye stopped by to shop for his then-girlfriend Amber Rose. Yet it was a stylish woman, whom Law affectionately calls Godmother Eunice, who truly set his life on a new course. She advised him that if he was serious about making a name for himself in fashion, he needed to leave Chicago behind and head to Los Angeles.
If he wanted to play the game, he had to go where the stadium was. Inspired by her words, Law overhauled his lifestyle, packed his bags, and set off to become a stylist.
Law’s advice for anyone chasing their dreams? First, get crystal clear on what you want. Then, create a blueprint for success. What steps do you need to take to get there? What’s truly important to you?
Set your priorities and be ready to make sacrifices. Because to get what you want when you have to be willing to do whatever it takes.
“When I decided that I was going to pursue a career as a stylist, I was determined to put everything I had into it.”
4. Treat YOURSELF!
Celebrating small wins is important. It can help boost your confidence and motivation. External validation is awesome, but Law points out that internal validation is where you need to start.
Whenever you meet a small goal, treat yourself to a manicure, buy that lipstick you’ve had your eye on, or maybe a have a little victory shindig at your house.
Law suggests posting a photo on social media with the caption “I DID IT!” Whether you divulge the details of this victory is optional, whether you reply to comments is also optional.
Practice not putting much stock on outside validation. You are your biggest fan!
“Confidence is not necessarily determined by the people around you - don’t wait for people to validate you.”
5. Confidence is a muscle
Law urges us to treat confidence like a muscle – and our personal style can be a powerful workout. Taking the time to curate a wardrobe that makes you feel amazing when you walk out the door is a simple yet effective way to flex your confidence muscles.
Don’t just mindlessly grab what’s trendy or what society deems appropriate. Wear what makes you feel good.
Something as simple as wearing your favorite outfit can give your mood a major boost and set you up for a killer day. And when life gets tough, every little confidence boost counts.
"Think of confidence as a muscle. Some people, because of their genetics and experience, might "naturally" be a little more muscular than you are. Maybe they adapt to physical activities a little easier than others or are able to lift heavier with more quickly. But with the proper training and time, anyone can do it."
6. Make yourself uncomfortable on purpose
As an introvert meeting new people can be scary. Extremely scary. I actually would rather skydive from a sketchy plane than talk in front of a group of strangers. Law’s suggestion for this state of mind?
Go live on Instagram. Literally my worst nightmare.
If you follow my Instagram, which I hope you do 😉, you will notice that I rarely do videos of myself – just the books. The reason for this is social anxiety. There’s no logical reason for this, only that I’m extremely shy and don’t open up much on social platforms.
Perhaps I will get to this level of confidence some day and go live, perhaps after one or two shots of liquid courage. If you’ve gone live for the first time, post a comment and let me know how it went.
It doesn’t matter if you have two or two hundred people joining. Introduce yourself and talk about whatever facets of your background, personality, or favorites that you feel like sharing. It can help build character and toughen your skin.”
7. It’s never too late to start over.
Céline Dion was once known for her stunning, elegant gowns, but after the heart-wrenching loss of her husband and brother, she was ready for a bold new chapter.
Law Roach reintroduced us to a Céline we’d never seen before – a Céline with a fearless, head-turning street style.
Their first look together was a showstopper: an oversized Vetements hoodie emblazoned with the iconic image from Titanic. Céline, as we all remember, poured her heart and soul into “My Heart Will Go On,” the theme song to that very film. When she wore that hoodie, photographers and fans went wild, and a viral superstar moment was born.
“[Law] brought me out of my closet and now flowers are growing,” she told ET’s Carly Steel that year. That’s the point of all my work, to reignite and invigorate the people I work with. To help give them permission to be themselves more authentically and without compromise.”
Another star that credits Law with breaking her out of her shell is Kerry Washington.
It’s hard to believe that the fierce actress that once played Olivia Pope would need anyone to boost her confidence. Yet, in her heartwarming speech at the CFDA Fashion Awards, which can be viewed HERE, she talks about how Law gave her permission to have more fun with her red carpet looks.
I adore Kerry’s style, it’s classy with just the right amount of sexy.
If I’m being honest I felt a little jealous of these women talking about there experiences with Law. I thought: where is my very own fashion fairy godmother to break me out of my shell?
However, the power to start over is within all of us. It’s never too late break out of the cocoon and become a butterfly.
“The key to never be afraid to prove everyone wrong: it’s never too late to start over.”
8. Clothes are a form a communication
Clothes are a powerful form of nonverbal communication.
While experts may disagree on the exact percentage of communication that is nonverbal, the reality is that people do judge books by their covers. I’m guilty of it myself – I’ve picked up a book solely based on its stunning cover art. The same principle applies to people.
Like it or not, a significant part of how others perceive you is based on how you present yourself. This includes your body language, facial expressions, and even your clothing.
Would you have more faith in a lawyer wearing wrinkled, baggy jeans or one in a crisp suit and tie? Both might be equally competent, but the lawyer who presents himself as more professional is likely to be taken more seriously.
This principle applies to everyone: what you wear can communicate a message about you before anyone has the chance to really get to know you.
Law Roach credits this realization to observing his mother as he grew up. He watched how she carefully got ready in the morning, and although she didn’t have designer clothes, she had a “little black dress” that was her signature outfit.
“It’s not that she was high maintenance, it’s more that she honored herself. She also understood that, at the end of the day, clothes are tools of communication”
Clothing can also tell a story. Who can forget the memorable moment when Zendaya arrived at the 2019 Met Gala wearing a Cinderella-inspired dress (custom-made by Tommy Hilfiger) and carrying a pumpkin-shaped purse?
Law, dressed as her fairy godmother, waved his magic wand, swirling mists of smoke as the gown expanded and lit up. As Zendaya climbed the carpeted steps, she left a clear heel behind at the top.
Law later explained that this look was chosen to fit the Met’s theme that year, “Camp,” but it also symbolized Zendaya shedding her Disney image and stepping into more mature roles.
Let’s all take a page from Zendaya and Law’s book and let our clothing tell a story and communicate to the world what we want it to see.
9. Don’t be afraid to be unique
One of my favorite female rappers is Megan Thee Stallion. I fell in love with her almost old-school rap cadence, her confidence, and her bubbly yet cool personality.
Not only is she an amazing talent, but she’s also absolutely stunning. When Law saw her without makeup or wigs, he was taken aback by her natural beauty. However, the standard for female rappers is to be in full glam, complete with a wig and dramatic makeup.
Law urged her to let the world see a little bit of the real Megan and show off her natural hair. This can be a touchy subject for black women; many of us have been taught that kinky hair can’t be glamorous. Law encouraged her that, although this wasn’t the norm, it was something that needed to be done.
She arrived at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party draped in a custom Bach Mai strapless mermaid gown with a corseted bust, and she wore her natural hair proudly.
Fashion magazines and fans alike agreed: Megan Thee Stallion looked amazing. This is a testament to the fact that you don’t have to look like everybody else to turn heads.
10. Love yourself
I saved this final lesson for last because it’s one that hits home for many women. So many of us have been conditioned since childhood to strive to be Superwoman, putting the needs of others above our own. But, as the saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup.
"But more and more, I was being hounded to perform this art on demand. The need for everything to happen immediately was wearing on me and had begun to cause a tremendous amount of anxiety that was impacting my health. A change was needed, and I knew I had to make my announcement before I lost my nerve.”
In this book and in interviews, Law talks about the time he decided to “retire” from the industry and focus on self-care and other ways he could give back.
The negative politics of the industry and a workaholic schedule had burned him out. That’s why he wrote this book. One of the reasons he loved being a stylist was being able to see women light up when they felt confident in an outfit.
He decided to write How to Build a Fashion Icon: Notes on Confidence to “sneak the medicine in” and provide that feeling to as many women as he could, not just celebrities.
In Chapter 6, titled “Love Yourself,” he writes about how confidence starts with taking care of yourself, being honest yet easy on yourself, knowing your worth, and seeking work/life balance.
I’m no fashion girly – give me sweatpants and wrinkle-free clothes any day. But this book? It changed my outlook on fashion AND on confidence.
I just devoured How to Build a Fashion Icon: Notes on Confidence by the incomparable Law Roach, the world’s only image architect. These are my just top 10 takeaways, but trust me, there’s so much more to this book than I could possibly fit into one post.
Law’s stories and insights are like a masterclass in confidence and style. I felt my mood elevate with every turn of the page – it’s that empowering. I’m convinced it’ll have the same effect on you.
So, what are you waiting for? Dive in and experience it for yourself. Click the link below to get your copy now!
And hey, if you’ve already read it, I’d love to hear from you! Drop a comment and share your favorite takeaways. Let’s keep the conversation going!
Happy reading!
P.S. If you like motivational books, check out my post ” 9 BEST BOOKS ON MINDSET THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE“
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