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LaQuan Smith

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American fashion designer (born 1988)

in 2017 in Nigeria

LaQuan Smith (born August 30, 1988) is an American fashion designer and founder and chief executive officer of womenswear clothing brand LaQuan Smith, LLC. He is based in New York City.

Early life

Smith was born on August 30, 1988, in Queens, New York. As he grew up, he developed a passion for fashion and design. He further developed his passion at the age of 13 when his grandmother passed on her old Singer sewing machine for him to use. From there, he began regularly designing and creating garments. In 2007, he graduated from Glasgow High School in Delaware. Shortly after he began his career in fashion.

Career

In 2005, Smith applied to the Fashion Institute of Technology, as well as Parsons School of Design, but was not accepted. Smith then began interning at the New York magazine BlackBook in 2007, working for celebrity fashion stylist Elizabeth Sulcer. He would attend events by pretending to be a BlackBook editor. In 2008, he created his self-titled designer brand.

In February 2010, he made his New York Fashion Week debut at the Society of Illustrators headquarters in Upper East Side. The audience for Smith's 'Water Goddess' show included fashion press, buyers, and celebrities. Specifically, the Vogue editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley, Vogue style director Alexandra Kotur, Janice Combs, Misa Hylton, Justin Tranter, and lawyer L. Londell McMillan. He later presented a Spring-Summer Collection in September 2010.

Smith's collection for the 2011 New York Fashion Week was showcased in the Gramercy Ballroom at the Peninsula Hotel. The collection, titled 'A Story Book Path', was inspired by Marie Antoinette, Cruella De Vil, and Queen Elizabeth I. Notable guests included Andre Leon Talley, Diane von Furstenberg, George Malkemus, Sandra Bernhard, Lorenzo Martone, Marcus Samuelsson, and L. Londell McMillan. Models walking in the show included Cassie Ventura, Deborah Cox, Jaslene Gonzalez, Serena Williams, Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, Nicki Minaj, and Christina Milian.

For the February 2022 New York Fashion Week, Smith paid tribute to his mentor, Andre Leon Talley, by showcasing a glamour-styled event. The show featured Julia Fox and exhibited models wearing high-heels, red sequined dresses, faux fur corsets, cut-out frocks, gold leggings, miniskirts, and Lurex.

Brand Inspiration and Reception

Since LaQuan Smith was a child, he sought comfort in the female figures that have been present in his life. As a young gay man who was self-described as "very flamboyant" therefore growing up in the traditional social setting of Queens, New York proved to be a difficult experience. The young designer was often reminded of his differences in the form of teasing from his male peers. His grandfather, George A. Smith, disapproved of Smith's non-traditional interests, noting his desire for Smith to played football and after that not working out, "it was basketball, then a baseball glove." Luckily, not everyone in Smith's life shared the anti-design sentiment that he faced during his early life; many female friends around him served as a point of encouragement to keep pursuing his dream. Thus, he did not allow himself to be discouraged from working with clothing.

In fact, clothing design was such an integral part of Smith's life that the very first runway show he ever created debuted while Smith was still in middle school. Similarly, the women in his family had a large impact on his confidence as a designer and he largely credits them for much of his inspiration. That can be seen today in the fact that he continues to produce his clothing right in his hometown of Queens, New York. Smith, who learned to sew from his grandmother, took the female energy of empowerment that was given to him while growing up and channeled it into his creations. This is evident in every collection he presents where emphasis on highlighting the female body has become a signature through figure-hugging catsuits, tailored jackets, and revealing cut-out dresses which he reimagines each season in a multitude of fabrics. Smith's dedication and unique perspective on his craft paid off after receiving media coverage from his first celebrity client. While perusing a tabloid section in 2010, Smith was surprised to see Lady Gaga wearing a pair of his leggings. From there, his list of notable clientele has continued to grow and includes names such as Khloe Kardashian, Hailey Bieber, Kylie Jenner, Beyonce and most recently Vice-President and Presidential candidate Kamala Harris at the 2024 CBC dinner.

References

  1. Bobila, Maria (September 11, 2018). "HOW LAQUAN SMITH LAUNCHED HIS BRAND AND BUILT A LOYAL FOLLOWING WITHOUT GOING TO FASHION SCHOOL". Fashionista.com. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  2. "About". LaQuanSmith.com. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
  3. ^ LEAH CHERNIKOF, February 12, 2010, New York Daily News, Fashion designer LaQuan Smith, from Queens, is 21-year-old Fashion Week virgin, Retrieved Aug. 28, 2014, "Smith ... got his foot in the door scoring an internship with BlackBook magazine, working for fashion editor Elizabeth Sulcer..."
  4. "The Rise of Fashion Designer LaQuan Smith". Q26. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  5. "On the scene: Vogue editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley embraces LaQuan Smith's Fashion Week diversity", NY Daily News, February 15, 2010
  6. "Love for LaQuan!", DailyFrontRow.com, September 16, 2010
  7. "Serena Williams Walks the Runway", Vogue, September 14, 2010
  8. "LaQuan Smith's Over-the-Top Romp Through Versaille, Starring Serena Williams". Fashionista.com. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  9. "Meet the hot young designer behind Rihanna's naked dress". NYPost.com. February 8, 2016. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  10. "Introducing the Designer of Rihanna's Barely There "BBHMM" Dress". Vogue.com. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  11. "Startup Perks: The Best Part Of Being Your Own Boss". Forbes.com. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  12. "The Fashion School Reject Who Now Designs For Beyonce, Lady Gaga". Forbes.com. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  13. Okeowo, Alexis (January 18, 2016). "LaQuan Smith's Conspicuous Couture". Retrieved December 29, 2017 – via www.NewYorker.com.
  14. "Designer Laquan Smith Plans to Revolutionize the Sales Calendar". Elle.com. February 5, 2016. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  15. Taylor, Elise. "Kendall Jenner Just Instagrammed Your Design. Now What?". VanityFair.com. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  16. Walker, Myrlaun (October 8, 2015). "The Making of a Fashion Icon- LaQuan Smith". HuffingtonPost.com. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  17. "LaQuan Smith Turned Tweed Into Something Kylie Jenner Would Wear for Spring". Fashionista.com. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  18. "A Young Outsider, on the Doorstep", The New York Times, February 12, 2010
  19. Bain, Marc. "A lesson in scale from the tiny fashion brand dressing the world's biggest celebrities". QZ.com. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  20. "'We live in a culture of immediacy': Fashion Week tweaks its tired model - Digiday". Digiday. February 17, 2016. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  21. Schneier, Matthew (February 14, 2016). "Fashion Week: Shows to Share With Your Valentine". Retrieved December 29, 2017 – via NYTimes.com.
  22. Jeffery, Krystina Gustafson, Adam (February 16, 2016). "Your backstage pass to join New York's elite". CNBC.com. Retrieved December 29, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  23. "LaQuan Smith Partners with BigCommerce to Deliver New Collection to Consumers Instantly at New York Fashion Week". www.BusinessWire.com. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  24. Blay, Zandile (February 16, 2012). "After the Hype: The Return of Laquan Smith to NYFW". HuffingtonPost.com. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  25. Cochrane, Lauren (February 15, 2022). "Julia Fox steals the show as LaQuan Smith sticks to glamour at New York Fashion Week". The Guardian. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  26. ^ ""I Have Always Lived My Life Very Fearlessly and Unapologetically"". Vogue. June 3, 2022. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  27. Ferla, Ruth La (February 13, 2010). "A Young Outsider, on the Doorstep". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  28. "Designer LaQuan Smith a self-made success". The Columbian. October 9, 2023. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  29. Portee, Allyson. "Queens Bred, Fashion Designer LaQuan Smith Opens Up About His Journey And 2020". Forbes. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  30. ^ Okeowo, Alexis (January 17, 2016). "LaQuan Smith's Conspicuous Couture". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  31. "LaQuan Smith News, Collections, Fashion Shows, Fashion Week Reviews, and More". Vogue. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  32. "The World's Sexiest Celebrities Need LaQuan Smith". Harper's BAZAAR. November 10, 2022. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  33. "Hailey Bieber in LaQuan Smith – out and about in Paris". The Real My Royals. June 21, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  34. "Kylie Jenner Steps Out in L.A. in a Fuzzy White Minidress and Sweeping Overcoat". Harper's BAZAAR. March 29, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  35. "CELEBRITY PRESS". LaQuan Smith. Retrieved October 10, 2023.

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