In the world of celebrities, LaQuan Smith is a name almost everyone recognizes. The designer of luxury clothing and founder of a women’s fashion brand is celebrated for his collections that highlight beautiful silhouettes and sensuality. In 2015, Forbes named Smith one of the top 30 under 30 fashion icons. His distinctive work attracts the attention of fashion icons like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, and others. Discover more about the New York star’s journey to success at queenska.com.
Learned to Sew from His Grandmother
LaQuan Smith was born on August 30, 1988, in Queens. At 13, his grandmother gifted him her old Singer sewing machine, sparking his passion for creating clothes. She taught him the basics of sewing and pattern making. He spent days and nights transforming Walmart fabrics into beautiful dresses. In 2005, Smith applied to the Fashion Institute of Technology and Parsons School of Design but wasn’t accepted. That same year, at age 17, he faced another challenge: a cancer diagnosis. Fortunately, he overcame the illness and continued pursuing his goals.
In 2007, Smith began gaining hands-on experience in the fashion industry. He interned at BlackBook magazine in New York, working under the renowned stylist Elizabeth Sulcer. Smith often attended public events, where he sometimes introduced himself as a BlackBook editor.
Brand LaQuan Smith
After gaining sufficient experience, Smith launched his eponymous designer brand in 2008 at the age of 21. The headquarters is based in Long Island City, Queens. Two years after founding his brand, he showcased his collection at New York Fashion Week. Influential figures, including Vogue editor André Leon Talley, songwriter Justin Tranter, and prominent attorney L. Londell McMillan, were among the attendees.
In 2011, Smith presented his collection again at New York Fashion Week, inspired by French Queen Marie Antoinette, the fictional character Cruella de Vil, and Queen Elizabeth I. The show featured well-known models like Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, and others.
In 2022, during New York Fashion Week, Smith paid tribute to his mentor André Leon Talley, showcasing glittering red dresses, faux fur corsets, cut-out dresses, gold leggings, mini skirts, and other glamorous attire.
What is the Secret of Success?
Smith’s dedication and unique perspective on the fashion industry paid off when he spotted his first high-profile client in a tabloid. In 2010, he was delighted to see Lady Gaga wearing LaQuan Smith leggings.
Since then, Smith’s designs have captured the attention of other style icons and fans of extravagance. His admirers include Beyoncé, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Hailey Bieber, Kylie Jenner, and Kamala Harris. The brand boasts a massive global clientele of influential figures, and Smith’s unmatched glam aesthetic has also attracted companies like Heineken, Tidal, Samsung, Microsoft, and Verizon.
Celebrities undeniably influence the world. Whatever they do and wear, their fans try to emulate. For this reason, LaQuan Smith’s clothing quickly became popular. Experience and ambition enabled the designer to collaborate with top models and the industry’s leading photographers.
Ode to Femininity
Smith has a keen sense of women’s fashion needs, evident in his body-hugging jumpsuits, dresses with cut-outs, and blazers, which evolve each season. LaQuan skillfully uses clothing to accentuate the feminine figure, making his collections synonymous with sensuality.
The clothing is always striking and bold. For example, bodysuits feature transparent inserts and embellishments, and collared shirts with deep necklines are crafted from sequins. As he mentioned in an interview with Whitewall, when he started his business, his dream was to dress women of different sizes and ages, helping them embrace their sexuality. LaQuan Smith became a space for creating avant-garde, sexy, provocative, luxurious clothing. This has been especially valuable in the American scene, where street style dominates.
Smith’s inspiration for his collections includes designers like Gianni Versace and Thierry Mugler. Versace, the Italian designer who founded the eponymous brand in 1978, is known for luxury clothing, accessories, cosmetics, fragrances, homeware, cars, phones, and furniture. Mugler, a French designer and photographer who created the Mugler fashion house, is famed for his avant-garde, architectural, feminine, and theatrical approach to high fashion. Smith also finds inspiration in music, the fusion of music and fashion, award ceremonies, and appearances of Jennifer Lopez and Beyoncé on red carpets in provocative and iconic outfits.
Not Just Glamour
While LaQuan Smith’s primary clothing is daring and bold, his collections also include simpler items. For instance, there are suits, blazers, outerwear, and other garments suitable for everyday wear. These pieces were inspired by the soap opera Dynasty, which aired on ABC from 1981 to 1989. The series focuses on the Carringtons, a wealthy family with an oil business in Denver, Colorado. Smith was particularly captivated by the character Alexis Colby, the show’s main antagonist.
Alexis became famous for her glamorous, sharp-tongued socialite persona. She was always impeccably dressed, whether in a silk robe at dawn or a pristine white wool suit for court appointments. Smith wanted to create similar clothing for women that was both simple and elegant.
Social Responsibility
LaQuan Smith is a socially responsible brand. All items are designed and manufactured in New York within the garment district. This approach aims to preserve the neighborhood and its jobs. Smith also frequently participates in small initiatives like LaQuan Smith for Olivela. During this project, eight items of clothing were created using old fabrics and unconventional materials, based on favorite styles from previous collections. Twenty percent of each sale went to a charity chosen by the customer.
Non-Traditional Orientation
As a child, LaQuan Smith recognized his attraction to boys, making it difficult to grow up in the traditional social environment of Queens. He often faced reminders of his differences, and peers openly teased him. His grandfather George also held a skeptical view of Smith’s orientation, hoping he would play football or later basketball.
However, there were those who genuinely supported him, particularly female friends who encouraged him to pursue fashion design. Thanks to them, Smith continued to strive for a life in fashion. The women in Smith’s family, especially his grandmother who taught him to sew, also served as sources of inspiration.