[MANHATTAN, NY.] Now, I’ve been following LaQuan Smith since his earlier days of showing at Lincoln Center when all the fashion tents were assembled together in one specific domain. Gone are the days of effortless fashion show cruising when each presentation was just one simple brisk walk to the next showing. At that time in 2014, Smith was actively aiming to get his name out into the world since the top fashion design institutions in New York didn’t recognise him and rejected his applications. Which in turn garnered more of a passionate drive for Smith to continue pushing towards acceptance. And here we are in 2021, the brand survived a pandemic and the LaQuan Smith name has just taken off. Destination, on top of the world.
Since the brand sold-out during covid-19 lockdown, providing an 80 per cent sales increase, it only made sense to bring the Spring Summer 2022 collection to be showcased at the highest point of the Empire State Building in Manhattan. As the first American designer to host a runway show 102 floors above sea-level, Smith wanted to illustrate the energy in which the ladies he dresses were to exude coming out of strict curfews and to be seen in a fearless-glamorous light. If you are hip to Smiths past creations you’ll notice a few garments returned to the cat-walk in a more elevated rendition of his iconic style. To point you in the right direction, we saw from look 15, the reflective motorcycle trousers made a u-turn back into this collection. The corset spaghetti strap dresses and tops continue to find a place amongst the Art Deco inspired ensembles.
As for the entirety of the 55 looks that were displayed, majority of it were based with solid colours that had hints of shimmer and bling. In the beginning the handful of looks were a variety of nude tones that complimented the swimwear pieces. That carried into dresses made of leather and jersey, as Smith introduced the terrycloth fabrics into his brand with rompers and robes that became a new way to live out loud, but sexy. It seems that Smith bankrolled into another brand partnership with PUMA giving the fashion gals a teaser into a future collaboration with the German athletic wear label.
Let me not forget to mention how Smith is genuinely studying his consumers with how they buy fashion products and where the shoppers are going to spend their monies. Which is a smart way to do business with Afterpay’s partnership in this presentation inviting viewers to Buy Now Pay Later. One could say that Smith gave multiple options with this collection from dressing the ultra sexy girl displaying every inch of her skin, or the chance to be a glamorous sporty woman ready to take on any occasions with LaQuan Smith’s unique identity.
Inherit Love, I AM,
#StyleHeirs.
instagram.com/talamobley/
twitter.com/talamobley/
facebook.com/talamobley
