When ladies at the top of their game are looking to telegraph “unapologetically sexy glamour,” they turn to New York designer LaQuan Smith.
“It really is the true essence of what makes a woman feel powerful,” the Queens native told Page Six Style of his namesake label ahead of Monday night’s 2024 CFDA Awards, which he attended alongside Grammy winner Victoria Monét.
“She’s wearing a very dangerous, very severe cutout black maxi gown,” Smith explained.
“When I listen to Victoria’s music and just the the powerfulness and just the forward sexiness that really is portrayed through her lyrics, I felt like that was very much equivalent to my design. I’m really elated to have her be my date.”
“The Galaxy Ring [is] promoting and emphasizing the beauty and the importance of health and sleep, and that really inspired me to incorporate that throughout my collections.”
And while Smith’s label might be synonymous with sex appeal, he’s shown his range time and time again.
Last month, he dressed Vice President Kamala Harris in a long-sleeved sequined column gown for a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation event, and in 2021, he outfitted Hailey Bieber in a much-discussed nude midi dress for her and husband Justin’s meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Below, the designer reflects on these major moments — and a few of his other memorable celebrity hits.
Kamala Harris (2024)
“Dressing Kamala Harris was really, truly an honor. She was an early supporter of [mine]; she previously wore LaQuan Smith at Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” concert, which was so exciting. I know that she’s a huge fan of sequins and embroidery, and so that felt perfectly normal for me to just go in that direction for textiles. I wanted something that felt powerful, classic, timeless, yet still progressive and still within the same ethos that LaQuan Smith is known for.
“It’s such a huge moment and it’s such a huge platform for me to be showcased in that way. I’m just super honored. And I think that in support of young businesses, young black designers, American designers and businesses and designers of color, I think that she really did set the tone when it came down to wearing LaQuan Smith. And I think that this really opened up a door for so many others to come.”
Rihanna (2024)
“Hot. I mean, there’s nothing else to say! Just super hot, really dope, really exciting. I just love the way that she incorporated [the dress] in her own way. Rihanna has always been a huge supporter of mine from the very, very beginning, so it’s nice to see her in LaQuan.
“I think that’s what’s so great and unique about what I do … Seeing women incorporate LaQuan Smith into their daily lives from a 24-hour perspective has been the most inspiring thing in my entire career. And it allows me to keep doing what I’m doing, because I think every woman needs a piece of LaQuan, no matter what hour it is.”
Beyoncé (2023)
“That look specifically was designed for the ‘Renaissance’ tour. So I was quite shocked to see her wear it not on tour! Beyoncé has been an early supporter of my brand. She’s always supported me as a designer on the rise, and it’s really exciting to always work with her on projects — whether she’s on the stage or on the red carpet or just on her private jet, living her best life. It’s just always great to see her wearing LaQuan Smith.
“LaQuan Smith is for powerful women. I dress for women who want to be the center of attention, who love their body and who are really all about the essence of celebration. To me, that represents Beyoncé and so much more.”
Hailey Bieber (2021)
“I don’t think [sexiness] is anything that has to be really pushed or forced. I think that when women zip up LaQuan, there’s a new essence and an attitude that evokes the emotions of what makes people feel powerful in my clothing. So I love that she felt absolutely comfortable and unapologetically sexy and sophisticated, and I was thrilled to see her in the look.”
