In the world of high fashion, names like Law Roach and Keke Palmer usually spell magic. We’re talking about the "Image Architect" himself—the man who basically built Zendaya’s aesthetic from scratch—and the internet’s favorite multi-hyphenate, Keke "Keep a Job" Palmer. You’d think putting them in a room together would be a guaranteed win every single time.
But sometimes even the most talented people just don't click. Or, more accurately, they click as friends but clash as creatives.
Recently, the duo sat down to get real about why they actually stopped working together professionally. It wasn't some dramatic, plate-smashing Hollywood feud. It was actually about a baby bump and some very different ideas on how to show it off. Honestly, it's the kind of career "breakup" we don't see enough of—one rooted in boundaries rather than bitterness.
The Time Keke Palmer "Fired" Law Roach
It sounds harsh, right? To "fire" the man who has dressed everyone from Celine Dion to Anya Taylor-Joy. But during a panel for Law’s book, How to Build a Fashion Icon, and later on Keke’s own podcast, Baby, This is Keke Palmer, they laid it all out.
The friction peaked back in 2022 and early 2023 when Keke was pregnant with her son, Leo. Law had a very specific vision. He’s the guy who wants the drama, the silhouette, the moment. He wanted her to lean into that high-fashion pregnancy look—think Rihanna levels of "here is my stomach and it is art."
Keke? She wasn't feeling it.
She’s spoken openly about how she wanted to keep that part of her life private for a while. She wasn't ready to "give the bump to the world" just yet. Law kept bringing these incredible clothes, but they weren't the right clothes for where Keke was mentally.
Eventually, Keke had to make the call. She told him, basically: "You might be the best stylist in the world, but you're not the best stylist for me."
That's a heavy thing to say to a friend. But Law loved it. He’s gone on record saying he "f***ing loved" that she stood her ground. In an industry full of "yes men," having a client tell him exactly why his vision wasn't working was actually refreshing for him.
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Not Their First Rodeo (or First Breakup)
A lot of people don't realize these two go way back. They actually worked together years and years ago, long before the Nope press tour or the "Sorry to this man" meme went viral.
That first attempt didn't work out either.
They both admit they were in different places in their careers. Law was still carving out his "Image Architect" brand, and Keke was transitioning from child star to the powerhouse she is now. Even though the professional side fizzled, the friendship stuck. That's why they were able to try again years later.
Why the Law Roach Aesthetic is a "High Stakes" Game
To understand why it didn't work with Keke, you have to understand how Law operates. He doesn't just pick out a pretty dress. He builds a narrative.
- Zendaya: Every look is a chapter in a book. If it's Dune, she’s a desert warrior. If it's Challengers, she's a tennis prodigy.
- Celine Dion: He turned her into a street-style icon by pushing her into Vetements and oversized hoodies.
- Anya Taylor-Joy: He uses her ethereal look to lean into old-world glamour.
When Law styles you, you have to be willing to be a character in his play. Keke Palmer, however, is very much her own character. She’s loud, she’s funny, she’s authentic, and she has a very specific sense of what makes her feel like Keke. When those two visions didn't align—especially during something as personal as a pregnancy—the partnership had to end to save the friendship.
What’s Keke Wearing Now?
Since moving on from Law’s direct styling, Keke has been on a vintage tear. If you've seen her on red carpets lately—like the 2025 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards—she’s been rocking archival pieces that feel very "her."
We’re talking:
- Vintage John Galliano for Dior (that iconic S/S 2003 look was a total reset).
- Archival Roberto Cavalli from the early 2000s.
- Vintage Oscar de la Renta from 2003.
She’s working with different stylists now who lean into her love for fashion history without necessarily trying to "architect" a new persona for her. It’s working. She looks comfortable, confident, and like she’s having fun.
The Law Roach "Retirement" Factor
We can't talk about Law Roach without mentioning the "R" word. Back in March 2023, Law nearly broke the fashion internet by announcing his retirement on Instagram. He cited "the politics, the lies, and the false narratives" as the reason he was stepping away.
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A lot of people thought it was because of a front-row seating mishap at a Louis Vuitton show (the infamous "second row" incident). Others thought it was a rift with Zendaya.
Spoiler: It wasn't.
Law clarified that he was retiring from celebrity styling—the "being at the service of others" part. He wanted to focus on himself, his legacy, and projects like his book and his TV appearances.
While he still styles Zendaya (because they’re "soulmates," basically), his days of juggling a massive roster of 10+ A-list clients are over. This shift actually makes his "breakup" with Keke make even more sense. He’s at a stage where he only wants to do work that feels 100% aligned, and she’s at a stage where she needs a stylist who is 100% aligned with her.
How to Apply the "Keke and Law" Energy to Your Career
There is a huge lesson here for anyone in a creative field. You can be the absolute best at what you do, and you can still be the wrong fit for a specific person.
- Trust your gut on boundaries. Keke knew she wasn't ready to show her pregnancy to the world. She didn't let a "fashion icon" pressure her into it.
- Value the "No." Law didn't take the rejection as an insult. He saw it as a sign of Keke’s strength and self-awareness.
- Friendship over business. Sometimes the best way to keep a person in your life is to stop working with them. They are closer now as friends than they were when they were arguing over maternity outfits.
The next time you’re in a situation where the "vibe" is off but the talent is there, remember these two. It’s okay to say, "You’re great, but you’re not for me." It might actually be the best thing you ever do for the relationship.
If you’re looking to evolve your own style without a celebrity budget, start by looking at archival trends. Keke’s recent success comes from picking pieces that have a story but still feel modern. You don't need an "Image Architect" to tell you what makes you feel confident; you just need to be as honest with yourself as Keke was with Law.