Black History - Laquan Smith - Black Designer

He observed his grandmother and a lot other women role models as a kid. His family sent him to art school in high school, which was a transformative experience. He was denied by FIT and Parsons, struggling to find his way into the industry. He formed an LLC that made “LaQuan Smith 3D leggings” and became known as the “leggings” guy. He modeled them, passed them around, and celebrities started to wear them, that’s when things ‘took off.’ His distinctive work sparked interest among fashion icons and risk takers including Beyonce, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Kim Kardashian, all of whom were early supporters. Since its formal debut in 2013, the brand has gained acclaim for its endless archive of distinctive garments and details. Smith has cultivated an equally dynamic private order clientele which spans the globe from Lagos to London. From Check the Runway!