LaQuan Smith's Stylish New Power Woman Storms Wall Street

LaQuan Smith loves a classic New York icon to stage his fashion shows, the Empire State Building, and the Rainbow Room, synonymous with glamorous parties, was a mainstay for several seasons. For Fall/Winter 2024, the designer chose another iconic Manhattan landmark, the Great Hall, also known as Cipriani Broadway, an Italian Neo-Renaissance building by Benjamin Wistar Morris completed in 1921. A convenient location just steps from Wall Street, the epicenter of America's financial power and exactly where Smith feels his wife should be .

“I'm designing for a woman who has things to do and places to go inspired by the idea of ​​American Western clothing from the late '80s and '90s,” LaQuan told FashionNetwork.com after the show, adding, “I was thinking about my women like these sluts and sirens of Wall Street and taking advantage of the exploration of daywear.

In fact, the first thing that caught your eye was a thigh-length split pant-style pencil skirt in caramel high-gloss pony skin worn with a matching shirt inspired by the classic men's button-down shirt. The model strutted to O'Jay's 'For the Love of Money', the first of many on a great soundtrack by Matthew Mazur and Tama Gucci that also included 'Hey Big Spender, 'Pusherman' and 'She's a Lady'. ' which they brought home to Smith's. woman of power ('The Men All Pause' and 'Independent Woman' weren't on the poster, but they also summed up the clothing's message.) Speaking of music, the designer tapped singer Babyface to serenade the room, playing live on a baby grand piano while rapper Busta Rhymes attended the show with his daughter.

What was immediately evident was that the clothing, while still possessing Smith's surgically precise tailoring and fits, covered more than previous highly sexy and revealing clothing. By sculpting the body and including the designer's authoritative lines and stitching, the collection radiated sex appeal in a much more sophisticated offering.

Part of that was the daywear directive Smith gleaned from feedback from customers who loved her clothes but “couldn't wear any before 9 pm.”

“I love being known for bringing sexy back and creating absolutely sexy clothes, so this daywear is still very LaQuan Smith,” he continued.

Think of a navy pinstripe suit as a slim-fit suit with a mini skirt or a longer version with side slits or a charming fitted apron based on a masculine vest.

“The navy pinstripe was because the color represents financial stability to me. I wanted to reinforce a level of direct, direct concepts in traditional menswear and make them super provocative,” he explained.

One of the tricks to achieving the dichotomy was a four-way stretch liquid latex with a waxed finish that lived up to its description, creating the most elegant shine seen on the runways.

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But it was also Smith's way of taking a stretchy fabric to create tailored looks; The highlight of the material was a black bodycon-style dress with a poplin skirt and cuffs, which could look businesslike in the front but revealed an open back. A similar vibe in a caramel-colored suit ruched and fitted like a second skin and a gray suede jacket and miniskirt with a fitted shirt were perfect examples that caused some guests, such as Giuseppe Zanotti, who collaborated on the shoes for the …The designer commented that Smith channeled a modern Gianfranco Ferré vibe. Smith professes to design for the woman who loves to dress up, is in tune with her body, and loves to be the center of attention.

The elevated vibe was also due to the charmeuse silk, gabardine wools, rich suedes, furs and gold-shimmer material that appears almost as individual tiles in some evening looks because, after all, a LaQuan Smith lady still needs a gala dress.

Smith was beaming as she described her process. “Tailoring and the construction of the female form; that's my canvas. I create around the body, referencing the broad shoulders of the '80s and '90s, and figure out how to bring it back to the focal point: a cinched waist, which every woman needs “There are many dramatic silhouettes that seem timeless and still look good after ten years,” he offered. With collections like this, it's a safe bet that Smith will still be offering her bold, stylish clothing a decade or more from now.