Law Roach Says Zendaya Had "Big Shoes to Fill" at the CFDAs, So That Explains the Epic Skirt

"Anytime I can lend my name or my platform to help elevate new emerging talent in fashion, it's going to be a yes for me," Zendaya's stylist and Image Architect Law Roach told POPSUGAR over the phone five days before he showed up to the CFDA Fashion Awards with Zendaya, fashion icon of the year and dressed head to toe in Vera Wang Haute, on his arm. Law had been referring to his recent participation in the Shein x 100k Challenge design competition, for which he acted as guest judge and mentored an up-and-coming designer. But his presence and influence at the CFDAs achieve the exact same thing. Through his work dressing Zendaya and his recognition in the industry (he refers to American emerging designer of the year nominee Kenneth Nicholson, whom he sat with at the Met Gala, as one of his "fashion children"), he has paved the way toward representation for lesser-known brands, cultures, creatives, and marginalized people of color. This evening — and Zendaya's Vera Wang look, which significantly comes from an American fashion house — celebrates that.

Law was nervous for this red carpet, though, explaining, "Zendaya and I are really grateful that people love what we do and what we've done through the years in using clothes to tell stories. But this one has a little more expectation behind it. Everyone wants to see what she'll be wearing and who she'll be wearing," he said of the historic moment. "Rihanna's look when she won this award is so iconic, and we all still reference it. You still see it, it's still on your timeline, and it's so memorable. There's no competition at all, because Rihanna's a big sister to Zendaya and always a reference for me, but it is big shoes to fill."

That being said, it's safe to say Law and Zendaya hit this one right out of the park. Zendaya's silk faille outfit came complete with a bandeau and floor-length column skirt with an oversize, hand draped bubble waist. It was demure but offered something extra; undeniably sexy but refined by Zendaya's own brand of cool. She wore a matching scarlet manicure, box braids by celebrity hairstylist Antoinette Hill, Jimmy Choo platforms, and over 60 carats of Bulgari diamonds, including an elegant choker, bracelet, rings, and studs, to finish the ensemble. Scroll to see how the fashion icon and Law made their mark on the past and future of fashion.