LaQuan Smith can throw a runway party, and lure Mary J Blige, Babyface, and more to the Lower East Side at 9 p.m. on a Monday to cheer him on.
This season he said he wanted to play with “raw, futuristic, sci-fi glamour” in the spirit of Grace Jones, David Bowie and “Barbarella.”
Cue the electric fans at the end of the runway, bringing the drama to models prancing in crisp shirting tucked into leather HotPants, and when those were too covered, leather briefs and bombers.
There was a lot of metallic leather in deep pink, purple or silver, crafted into side-draped, postage stamp-sized skirts, strapless gowns slit to the hip, and wiggle mini dresses Lauren Sanchez would love.
Slouchy denim cargo pants (which could be unzipped into long shorts) were topped by silver beaded necklace tops, and zipper-pleated croc miniskirts with sheer mesh bodysuits. A navy glossy croc trench with oversized buckle added a note of sobriety, almost jarringly so.
Smith is all about “unapologetically sexy clothes,” but it’s not entirely clear which way the wind is blowing with his brand; is he interested in club wear or luxe sportswear? This collection was heavier on one than the other.