Tim Schafer
American fashion stylist, self proclaimed image architect, and television personality.
Tim Schafer is an American video game designer and writer, born on July 26, 1967, in Sonoma, California. He founded the studio Double Fine Productions in July 2000, following a career at LucasArts that spanned over a decade. Schafer is widely recognized for creating critically acclaimed titles such as *Full Throttle*, *Grim Fandango*, *Psychonauts*, *Brütal Legend*, and *Broken Age*. He also co-designed *Day of the Tentacle* and served as an assistant designer on *The Secret of Monkey Island* and *Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge*. His work is noted for its distinctive storytelling and comedic writing, earning him a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Game Developers Choice Awards and a BAFTA Fellowship.
Schafer grew up as the youngest of five children in Sonoma, with a father who was a doctor and a mother who was a nurse. While studying computer science at UC Berkeley, he developed an interest in writing, inspired by author Kurt Vonnegut’s habit of writing fiction while working a day job. After being rejected by larger companies like Atari and Hewlett-Packard, Schafer applied to Lucasfilm Games, seeking a role that combined programming with writing game dialogue. Despite a rocky phone interview where he mistakenly referred to the game *Ballblazer* by its pirated name *Ballblaster*, he sent a comic strip of himself getting the job and was hired in 1989. He started as a “scummlet,” helping implement features in the SCUMM engine, and later worked with Ron Gilbert, Dave Grossman, and others on *The Secret of Monkey Island*, contributing roughly two-thirds of its dialogue. Schafer’s first lead role was co-designing *Day of the Tentacle*, followed by his solo project *Full Throttle* in 1995, and the acclaimed *Grim Fandango* in 1998, which won multiple awards including GameSpot’s Game of the Year.
At Double Fine, Schafer created *Psychonauts*, released in 2005 to critical praise but poor initial sales, though the studio later regained full rights and saw stronger sales by 2012. He hosted the Game Developers Choice Awards in 2007 and 2009, releasing a promotional minigame for the event. His next project, *Brütal Legend*, a heavy metal-themed action game featuring voice work from Jack Black and cameos by rock legends, faced a difficult development after its original publisher dropped it during a merger.
- born
- July 20, 1978
- field
- Fashion styling
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Styling Zendaya, Céline Dion, and Ariana Grande; judge on Legendary, RuPaul's Dr
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Law Roach grew up in Chicago, where he studied psychology at Chicago State University and started a clothing boutique, Deliciously Vintage, in Pilsen. He then moved to Los Angeles, where Zendaya became his first major client as a stylist. For the 2021 Met Gala, Roach had the opportunity to style 10 celebrities, including Alton Mason, Kehlani, and Hunter Schafer. He starred as a permanent judge on the HBO Max show Legendary with Megan Thee Stallion, Keke Palmer, Leiomy Maldonado, and Jameela Jamil. As a stylist, some of his well-known clients are Celine Dion, Zendaya, Tom Holland, Kerry Washington, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ariana Grande, and Megan Thee Stallion. In 2016, Roach was announced as one of the judges for cycle 23 of America's Next Top Model, with Ashley Graham, Rita Ora and Drew Elliott. The following year, he partnered with Celine Dion to style her for Couture Week in Paris, and he became the first African-American stylist to cover the annual The Hollywood Reporter's issue of Stylist & Stars. Dion and Zendaya joined Roach for the cover. He received the 2021 Gem Award for Jewelry Style. He received the inaugural stylist award for American Fashion at the 2022 CFDA Awards in New York. Roach announced his retirement from styling via Instagram in March 14, 2023, stating that "if this business was just about clothes I would do it for the rest of my life but unfortunately it's not! The politics, the lies and false narratives finally got me! You win...I'm out." However, Roach later clarified that he still was working with Zendaya by stating "So y'all really think I'm breaking up with Z...we are forever!" and "She's my little sister and it's real love not the fake industry love." Roach later stated it was best for him to "walk away from the industry for a while" to focus on his mental and physical health. In his March 17, 2023, interview with The Cut, Roach cited burnout and a desire to live a happier life as reasons for his retirement. Roach discussed the challenges he faces in the industry, including "false narratives perpetuated by gatekeepers and intermediaries". He expressed frustration at the loss of clients due to these narratives, which "are often untrue". Roach noted his love for fashion and his commitment to protecting his clients, but expressed a desire to be better taken care of in return. He also mentioned that he "got overwhelmed and never got a chance to properly grieve" the death of his nephew. During Roach's hiatus from styling, he continued working with Zendaya exclusively. In April 2025, Roach announced his return to styling with "his new muse" Ryan Destiny. In January 2026 Roach began styling for Lauren Sánchez Bezos. On May 14, 2026, Roach announced he would be in charge of styling for Ariana Grande's 2026 Eternal Sunshine Tour: "I am the costume designer for Ariana Grande’s tour. The new tour. I actually leave here very early in the morning to go back to L.A. to start fittings for that".
Reader's Guide
Law Roach's significance lies in his role as a stylist and television personality, known for transforming the red-carpet looks of major artists. His career began with a vintage boutique in Chicago and a psychology degree, before moving to Los Angeles where Zendaya became his first major client. Roach's work includes styling 10 celebrities for the 2021 Met Gala, including Alton Mason, Kehlani, and Hunter Schafer. He served as a permanent judge on Legendary alongside Megan Thee Stallion, Keke Palmer, Leiomy Maldonado, and Jameela Jamil. Roach received the 2021 Gem Award for Jewelry Style and the inaugural stylist award for American Fashion at the 2022 CFDA Awards. He announced his retirement in March 2023, citing burnout and false narratives, but continued working with Zendaya exclusively. He returned to styling in April 2025 with Ryan Destiny, began styling Lauren Sánchez Bezos in January 2026, and in May 2026 announced he would be the costume designer for Ariana Grande's 2026 Eternal Sunshine Tour.
Did You Know?
- Law Roach studied psychology at Chicago State University before starting a vintage clothing boutique called Deliciously Vintage in Pilsen.
- He styled 10 celebrities for the 2021 Met Gala, including Alton Mason, Kehlani, and Hunter Schafer.
- He received the inaugural stylist award for American Fashion at the 2022 CFDA Awards.
- Roach announced his retirement from styling on March 14, 2023, but later clarified he would continue working with Zendaya, calling her 'my little sister'.
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