Laquan Smith, A young talent that didn't play sports, but fashion designing...he answered

His grandfather gave him a football to play with when he was younger...it, he put aside for some quality time with a needle and thread.

LaQuan Smith, stitches up his latest designs in his grandmother's house. But that small detail won't stop him from showing his wears in New York City during fashion week. His method of show; similar to Chanel's fashion launches, afternoon shows in her apartment with models lined up walking down from her staircase bearing numbered cards. The place New York of course. To a few eager onlookers this is the potion of choice, a newly minted talent without a client list or a bank account. It's little stories like this that keep my creative engines churning. The humble beginnings... better yet a closer look into, behind the scenes.

This tale starts out with the promise of the tiniest of seeds. Without formal training other than his grandmother's lessons and a standard sewing machine. Mr. Smith lays out his fabrics, not on a fancy cutting table, but on the bedroom floor of his room at his grandmother's house to begin work on a new garment. The window above his bed casts light around a tattered mannequin providing light for the smallest of spaces including some shine for his grandmother's old sewing machine. His newly constructed clothes hang on a clothing rack only inches from his patch quilt covered bed. He creates his own patterns, opting not to use store bought patterns because they didn't have the range that he wanted, to achieve his final products. Ooh,just a little something that could be worn by Rihanna in her latest video.



His title of newcomer has nothing to do with his opening acts on the fashion stage.
Because he's not shy when it comes to going out on the town. To say that he was on a mission is an understatement. Spotted in 3 inch heels and sequins Laquan made eyes stare in his direction for more than a fashion thrill. Gaining the attention of the likes of fashions' in crowd with every courageous smile. He was taking orders.
Ok, this is not my taste but you have to give him credit for his effort.
He sews what appears to be stage wear, something that gets you noticed, a garment that most celebrities would have interest. He has some tamier pieces but will those really get any attention,on let's say...the Red Carpet. I know what he was thinking, 'who has time for tamed pieces, when I have New York City to conquer before I turn 22 years old.' With names like Rihanna and Lady Gaga already wearing his clothes, it's certain that he will be on his way to higher ground. His grandmother taught him to sew when he was only thirteen; he got the hang of holding a straight pen between his teeth and pinning fabric, in no time. With this skill under his belt, he made his fashion sketches drawn in his earlier days, come to life. He noted that opening up the seams of previously made garments helped him to understand sewing better. When asked how he was able to complete such pieces, quoted, "I just do it."



He has a personality of steel, because he had to put behind him the fact that he was rejected by the Fashion Institute of Technology, a school for designers. Upon viewing his sketches they said, "who is your girl." Because his designs didn't fit into a particular category, (his variety can range from layered jackets, with sea shell influences, to lace layered tees made with scuba fabric), they wanted to know who his girl would be, in commercial terms, his client. His answer was anyone...though stated politely. I found him quite inspiring.

Visit his website to view his collection at www.laquansmith.com

Photos New York Times