LaQuan Smith
LaQuan is 22 years old (born August 30, 1988), His debut was at the A/W 2010 New York Fashion Week at the Society of Illustrators in NYC. He has dresses Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Tyra Banks, Alicia Keys, Toni Braxton, Cassie, and more. He has been featured in the New York Times, NY Daily News, Wall Street Journal, Vogue, Marie Claire, Vogue Italia, Vogue Hellas (Greek Vogue) and more.
1. Everyone is watching you right now and waiting for more greatness...How does it feel?
"I feel amazing that people are wanting to see what is next from my brand. I am blessed to have these opportunities to share my fashion perspective with the world."
2. I know you did not come up from money and you were raised with your grandmother, how has she influenced you in your career and how did you deal with the obstacle of not having the money needed at times for your designs?
"I got a lot of my drive from my grandmother, She was the main person in my family that actually got me sewing and she helped me develop and fine tone my craft. As for money, I am a person who saves. I have saved money from my previous jobs to create my first two collections. I have many struggles with money but, I am slowly selling my pieces online at www.LaQuanSmith.com. Any one interested is welcomed to send there information inquiring on purchasing and someone from my staff will get back to them."
3. How did you manage to gain respect in the fashion world as a fashion designer, where is extremely difficult to?
"I began going to industry events, parties, and shows. While at events I wore my designs and mingled with industry insiders. After a while stylist began contacting me back and my career took off. My publicist Kelly Mills of the Fashion Art Gallery (www.faag.us) introduced me to more people and soon my pieces were on Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys, and Lady Gaga followed by my first show during NY Fashion Week. Respect is always something I give to people in the industry and I have received theirs 10 fold."
4. Tell us about your latest collection and how did it differentiate from your first collection to the recent ones?
"The latest collection Spring/Summer 2011 was inspired by Marie Antoinette and the daintiness, elegance, and femininity of her persona. She was a powerful woman, full of strength and I wanted to reinterpret what she would wear in the 21st Century. Sensuality, Elegance, and Sophistication were my guidelines and I let my imagination run rampant."
"My first collection was inspired by the Water and Women. I enjoyed children's movies when I was younger, as any young child does, and I was inspired by the Little Mermaid. The idea of mattedness of the sand, structure of shells or crustaceans, and beauty of the water inspired me. The two collections differences are very clear but, they are connected by women of strength and elegance."
5. What's the age group and figure shape your collections are aimed for?
"I don't have a predetermined age group. I want my brand to be accessible for any age range. I have pieces such as jackets, pencil skirts, and blouses that can be worn by women from the ages of 15 - 65+. These women will feel confident and sleek in anyone of my pieces. I do have a diffusion line entitled "LQS" which is aiming towards young women. The line includes pieces of neon pinks, yellows, and greens with fun and flirty party dresses, skirts, min skirts, and fun flattering silhouettes. "LQS" targets ages 14-35."
6. Were there times you fell discouraged? How did you come up from that?
"I have felt discouraged plenty of times but, I would never give up. My passion is and will always be fashion and design. My clothes are dedicated to my friends and family who have supported me throughout any and all hardships. The hardest time was most definitely me dealing with Cancer, something anyone would be devastated by, but I had a great support team and I made it through."
7. What else can we expect from your designs? Where do you see it going in the next 5yrs?
"You should expect a fun and innovated collection in the upcoming months. I want to be classic but create modern twists. I will keep you posted but, in the next 5 years, I imagine LaQuan Smith, LLC being an international brand. I envision setting a new, fresh tone for women's apparel and carving a niche for my clothes, my designs, and my consumer in the international market."
1. Everyone is watching you right now and waiting for more greatness...How does it feel?
"I feel amazing that people are wanting to see what is next from my brand. I am blessed to have these opportunities to share my fashion perspective with the world."
2. I know you did not come up from money and you were raised with your grandmother, how has she influenced you in your career and how did you deal with the obstacle of not having the money needed at times for your designs?
"I got a lot of my drive from my grandmother, She was the main person in my family that actually got me sewing and she helped me develop and fine tone my craft. As for money, I am a person who saves. I have saved money from my previous jobs to create my first two collections. I have many struggles with money but, I am slowly selling my pieces online at www.LaQuanSmith.com. Any one interested is welcomed to send there information inquiring on purchasing and someone from my staff will get back to them."
3. How did you manage to gain respect in the fashion world as a fashion designer, where is extremely difficult to?
"I began going to industry events, parties, and shows. While at events I wore my designs and mingled with industry insiders. After a while stylist began contacting me back and my career took off. My publicist Kelly Mills of the Fashion Art Gallery (www.faag.us) introduced me to more people and soon my pieces were on Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys, and Lady Gaga followed by my first show during NY Fashion Week. Respect is always something I give to people in the industry and I have received theirs 10 fold."
4. Tell us about your latest collection and how did it differentiate from your first collection to the recent ones?
"The latest collection Spring/Summer 2011 was inspired by Marie Antoinette and the daintiness, elegance, and femininity of her persona. She was a powerful woman, full of strength and I wanted to reinterpret what she would wear in the 21st Century. Sensuality, Elegance, and Sophistication were my guidelines and I let my imagination run rampant."
"My first collection was inspired by the Water and Women. I enjoyed children's movies when I was younger, as any young child does, and I was inspired by the Little Mermaid. The idea of mattedness of the sand, structure of shells or crustaceans, and beauty of the water inspired me. The two collections differences are very clear but, they are connected by women of strength and elegance."
5. What's the age group and figure shape your collections are aimed for?
"I don't have a predetermined age group. I want my brand to be accessible for any age range. I have pieces such as jackets, pencil skirts, and blouses that can be worn by women from the ages of 15 - 65+. These women will feel confident and sleek in anyone of my pieces. I do have a diffusion line entitled "LQS" which is aiming towards young women. The line includes pieces of neon pinks, yellows, and greens with fun and flirty party dresses, skirts, min skirts, and fun flattering silhouettes. "LQS" targets ages 14-35."
6. Were there times you fell discouraged? How did you come up from that?
"I have felt discouraged plenty of times but, I would never give up. My passion is and will always be fashion and design. My clothes are dedicated to my friends and family who have supported me throughout any and all hardships. The hardest time was most definitely me dealing with Cancer, something anyone would be devastated by, but I had a great support team and I made it through."
7. What else can we expect from your designs? Where do you see it going in the next 5yrs?
"You should expect a fun and innovated collection in the upcoming months. I want to be classic but create modern twists. I will keep you posted but, in the next 5 years, I imagine LaQuan Smith, LLC being an international brand. I envision setting a new, fresh tone for women's apparel and carving a niche for my clothes, my designs, and my consumer in the international market."
Comments
Post a Comment