At the Lounge With Law Roach

A few weeks before one of fashion’s most iconic red carpet events, Law Roach, the beloved celebrity stylist, is busy preparing a formidable roster of looks. His work—surveying the lay of the land and supervising the build, “like an architect, just for someone’s image”—is nonstop. “Last week I was in L.A. three times,” he says. But tonight, passing through New York via LGA, he’s found a moment of calm (and caviar) in The Reserve Suites, a sanctuary within the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club that Sapphire Reserve cardmembers can book for themselves. Before takeoff, we talked about people-watching, treasure hunting and creating your own happiness.

When you’re traveling, what makes you feel taken care of?

I love simple things, like a great pair of sweatpants. Comfy socks. Slides. I love happy people at the airport. When you go through security, board a flight or enter a lounge and someone doesn’t just say “welcome” but really makes you feel welcome? That’s what makes me feel good about traveling. When I walk into a lounge like this, I don’t care how much I worked that day, I’m grateful and happy to be here.

One perennial element of Law Roach’s travel uniform? A long coat. “It has to feel comfy,” he says, “like a blanket.”

Lounges are great for people-watching. How do other people inspire you?

Observing people has inspired my entire career. It could be the way a lady ties her scarf—I’m creating this mental database of people I saw and what they’ve worn. Those are the things that inform the decisions I make with my work.

You once owned a vintage shop in Chicago. When you visit a shop on a trip, what are you looking for?

I am a self-proclaimed scavenger. I will look at every single piece in a store, but I will also go to someone working and say, “What’s the piece you’re most proud of?” When you get people involved in your process, that’s when the goodies start coming out. When you bring people into your world out of respect and love, they want to help. That’s the beautiful thing about fashion. You get dressed with intention, but if you can get a compliment along the way? That’s the fun.

How do you know an outfit will be great on someone?

To know an outfit is gonna be great is trial and error. When you put someone in something that’s right, you should be able to know they like it without them having to tell you. The way they hold their head changes, the smile changes, the body language feels positive. You learn what clothes can do for someone, and you get to know people.

While passing through New York via LGA, Law Roach finds a moment of calm in The Reserve Suites, a sanctuary within the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club that Sapphire Reserve cardmembers can book for themselves.

What’s a typical travel day like for you?

Packing is hard. I prefer really early flights, so I have all night to get it together, or a red-eye so I have all day to pack. No matter what climate I’m going to, I’m always flying in a long coat. It has to feel comfy, like a blanket. I’ve trained myself to fall asleep before the flight takes off. I don’t get on Wi-Fi so I can have some time for myself. That time on the plane is your time alone.

You’re preparing to visit Istanbul with Chase Travel, to explore how creatives draw from culture to develop their crafts. What are you looking forward to?

I like to dive in to culture wherever I go, and I think the biggest part of learning people’s culture is learning through food, so I’m excited to eat a lot. I’ve also heard Istanbul has some cool beach clubs. I’ve realized that I’m most relaxed when I’m around water and I can hear the waves crashing against the shore. It resets me. I don’t get a lot of time to vacation, but when I do, I want to be in the sun and leave my window open so I can hear the water.

Your experience begins with a welcome caviar service—and all the yummy fixings—when you book one of The Reserve Suites.

You recently came back to styling after a break to pursue happiness. What did you learn?

I had to figure out that happiness is a habit. You can’t rely on someone to give it to you—it has to be worked on. For a decade, everything was about making sure other people felt happy, confident and beautiful. I had to develop muscle memory for taking care of myself and staying happy. And now I feel like I’m able to give that again to the world, and to know my limits. I’m in a place where I understand that “no” is as powerful as “yes,” and “no” is also a complete sentence.

From that new place, where do you want to go next?

I am in the process of dreaming new dreams. I’ve worked hard for the pleasures of life that I’m able to receive, and I believe that when you are grateful for the things you have, big and small, it attracts more abundance into your life. I’ve had walk-on roles and done some improv, and I’m dreaming of acting more. Travel doesn’t take me outside my comfort zone—it makes me more comfortable. I would love to be able to say I’ve been to every country in the world. At this point I’ve been to 30, and there are almost 200. So I have a few more to go, but I’m working on it. People are like, “You must be so tired.” But it still feels like an adventure to me.