LaQuan Smith is aware of methods to throw a celebration; there’s little doubt about that. If you issue within the mirror partitions and stylish Artwork Deco inside of the Rainbow Room, you’ve obtained one heck of a swanky soirée—and this stage of sophistication is clear within the designer’s fall/winter 2023 assortment, too.
The present kicked off with a mannequin performing a reimagined scene from the favored ’80s cleaning soap opera Dynasty. It was a compelling vignette, one which demonstrates a girl coming into her personal with a brand new sense of energy, and serves as a metaphor for the LaQuan Smith lady. She’s nonetheless horny, however she’s grown up. One of the best half? She is aware of who she is.
Fashions, with their slicked-back hair and stiletto heels, strutted down the steps and across the iconic venue sporting a wide range of tailor-made items made for at present. Structured tuxedo jackets, low-slung (however polished) trousers, mini blazer attire, and—imagine it or not—briefcases made their approach throughout the ground, making a powerful case for on a regular basis put on. These had been accompanied by loads of body-hugging and skin-baring staples, resembling bodysuits and two-piece units, guaranteeing Smith’s signature intercourse attraction was nonetheless very a lot within the assortment. And with a principally impartial coloration palette (the one colours seen had been a vibrant violet and a sky blue), it additionally felt like a stark distinction to his spring 2023 present, which solely bolstered the truth that each he and his viewers are leveling up.
The designer additionally took the chance to debut menswear, with one standout look being an all-black ensemble that includes black suiting, a sheer shirt, and a thin scarf. These seems felt very rock ‘n’ roll and drew clear inspiration from none apart from Lenny Kravitz, who just lately wore a customized LaQuan Smith outfit to the CFDA Awards in November.
Maybe it was the cocktails and caviar that began the night—and the viewers, which included the likes of Teyana Taylor, Lil Nas X, Kimora Lee Simmons, and, in fact, Julia Fox—off on a excessive observe, however there was a selected vitality that pulsed by way of the room (I, for one, left the present with my coronary heart racing). It might have been Smith’s voice over the music stating, “That is LaQuan Smith.” Regardless, one can not deny it: LaQuan Smith is right here.
Dale Arden Chong is the Senior Vogue Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. Beforehand, she was an editor at MensHealth.com and has written for Who What Put on, GLAMOUR, The Coveteur, and extra. She loves style, meals, and artwork, amongst different issues—however her best love is Okay-pop idol V of BTS.