LaQuan Smith

Since 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," 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.