Honestly, nobody saw it coming. Back in 2016, if you’d asked the average person what they thought of Celine Dion’s style, they probably would’ve said "classy" or "safe." Maybe "stodgy." She was the Queen of Las Vegas, the voice of a thousand power ballads, and a woman who had been in the public eye since she was a teenager. Then, she walked out of a Paris hotel in a Vetements hoodie featuring her own face—well, the faces of Jack and Rose from Titanic.
The internet absolutely melted.
That one moment signaled a massive shift. It wasn’t just a new outfit; it was the birth of a new era. Behind that shift was an "image architect" named Law Roach. At the time, Law was mostly known for turning a young Disney star named Zendaya into a high-fashion powerhouse. When Celine’s team reached out to him, he actually asked, "Celine who?"
He couldn’t believe it was the Celine.
The Zendaya Connection Most People Miss
It’s funny how things work. You’d think a legend like Celine Dion would have scouts looking at the traditional Vogue archives, but she actually found Law through Google. She had been watching Zendaya’s red carpet evolution and noticed how sophisticated the teenager looked. Celine basically thought, "If he can make a 19-year-old look that polished, what can he do for me?"
She did her homework. She Googled who was styling Zendaya and found Law Roach.
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When they finally met at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards, Law was nervous. Who wouldn't be? But he realized quickly that Celine wasn't just a client—she was a fan. She knew his work. She knew the specific looks he’d created. They clicked because they both viewed fashion as a form of play, not a chore. While some stars dread a five-hour fitting, Law has said that Celine would stay up all night laughing and trying on clothes. She has zero fear.
That Vetements Hoodie: A Calculated Risk
Let's talk about that hoodie. It was the 20th anniversary of Titanic, and Law had this "crazy" idea to put her in an oversized, $885 Vetements sweatshirt. He was actually terrified she’d think it was corny. I mean, it’s her own song. It’s the most famous movie theme in history. It could have looked like a tourist trap souvenir.
Instead, she snatched it up and loved it.
That was the turning point for Law Roach and Celine Dion. It proved she had a sense of humor. It showed she was "in" on the joke and that she knew exactly what was happening in the fashion world (Demna Gvasalia’s Vetements was the hottest brand on the planet at that moment). It broke the image of the "unreachable diva" and replaced it with a woman who was having the time of her life.
Why the "Image Architect" Label Actually Matters
Law doesn't like being called a "stylist." He calls himself an image architect because he’s building a narrative. With Celine, the blueprint was simple: show the world how cool she actually is.
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- The Paris Hotel Exit: He turned the Royal Monceau hotel into her personal runway.
- The Gender Fluidity: He put her in oversized suits and avant-garde shapes that ignored traditional "age-appropriate" rules.
- The Couture Integration: It wasn’t just streetwear; he mixed high-end pieces from Giambattista Valli and Stephane Rolland with "it" brands like Off-White.
People forget that Law was also dealing with a woman who was grieving. Her husband and longtime manager, René Angélil, had passed away just months before their collaboration really took off. Law has mentioned that fashion became a sort of therapy for her. It was a way to step into a fantasy and find joy again.
The 2024 Return and the "Retirement" Exception
The bond between Law Roach and Celine Dion is deeper than just clothes. When Law announced his retirement from celebrity styling in 2023—citing the politics and "lies" of the industry—the fashion world panicked. He was at the top of his game.
But when Celine needed him, he came back.
For her surprise appearance at the 2024 Grammys, amid her battle with Stiff-Person Syndrome, she wouldn't do it without Law. He styled her in a stunning Valentino Couture gown topped with a pumpkin-colored overcoat. It was a masterclass in "quiet luxury" before that term was even annoying. It showed that even when she was physically struggling, the "image" was still strong, dignified, and undeniably hers.
He didn't just dress her. He protected her.
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What You Can Learn from the Roach-Dion Playbook
This wasn't just a lucky break. It was a strategic masterclass in rebranding that actually felt authentic. If you're looking to change how people see you—whether in business or your personal life—take a page out of their book.
Don't dress for your age; dress for your energy.
Celine was 48 when this started. People thought she was 60 because of the way she had been presented for years. Law broke that by ignoring the "rules" for middle-aged women.
Research your "experts" like a pro.
Celine didn't wait for a recommendation from a PR firm. She saw something she liked (Zendaya’s style) and tracked down the source.
Embrace the "corny" moments.
The Titanic hoodie was a risk because it was so self-referential. Sometimes leaning into your most famous "thing" in a new way is the best way to own your narrative.
Consistency is the secret sauce.
One good outfit is a fluke. Six weeks of daily "slays" outside a Paris hotel is a campaign.
Law Roach and Celine Dion changed the industry because they proved that a legacy artist doesn't have to stay frozen in time. They can evolve, they can be "cool," and most importantly, they can have a hell of a lot of fun doing it.
Actionable Next Steps
- Audit your personal "brand" legacy: Look at how you've been presenting yourself. Are you stuck in a "safe" zone that no longer reflects your actual personality?
- Find your "Image Architect": You don't need a famous stylist, but find a mentor or a friend whose taste you admire and ask them for a brutally honest assessment of your "vibe."
- Lean into irony: If there is something you are known for, find a way to reference it in a way that shows you're in on the joke. It builds immediate rapport and humanizes you.