The $8 Item Law Roach Uses to Prep Stars for the Met Gala — Plus 5 Other Must Haves

Since Image Architect Law Roach officially announced his retirement from styling back in 2023, he's been busy. The fashion icon still works closely with Zendaya on her red carpet looks, of course, while also promoting his book, "How to Build a Fashion Icon"; sharing his expertise on panels; partnering on "School," an online educational platform for aspiring fashion stylists; and collaborating with New York City's The Dominick Hotel on a specialty cocktail. And that's before you even get to his work for the 2025 Met Gala.

Ahead of this year's ball, themed around Black Dandyism, Roach creative directed a groundbreaking photo shoot for Vogue Magazine's Met Gala issue featuring such names as Spike Lee, Dapper Dan, Teyana Taylor, Tyson Beckford, and Janelle Monae. At a luncheon at the Mark Hotel celebrating the gala, Roach teased that he'll be dressing seven celebrities and relying on his tried-and-true styling hacks to create red carpet magic. The item he uses most costs just $8. "[Vaseline] is an essential in my kit," he says, "whether I'm using it to help clients slip into shoes or lathering it on legs to give that glow." He also names double-sided tape as the product he always has on set when dressing Zendaya.

Given his busy schedule, it's no surprise that his biggest form of self-care is sleeping. "I am always traveling, so when I finally get a day off, I use it to rest and reset," he says. He'll surely enjoy his time off once the Met Gala is in the rearview, but for now, he's moving full steam ahead pulling references, styling clients, and embodying the theme with ease and reverence as a modern Black Dandy himself.

Below, he shares his five everyday must haves for Met Gala prep, self-care time, and more. From the under-$10 product he uses in 5 different ways to his go-to brand of sweatpants, keep scrolling for all Law Roach's essentials.