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Preparing for the 2024 CFDA Awards with LaQuan Smith and Victoria Monét
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Preparing for the 2024 CFDA Awards with LaQuan Smith and Victoria Monét

When women at the top of their game seek to display “sexy, unapologetic glamour,” they turn to the New York designer. LaQuan Smith.

“It really is the true essence of what makes a woman feel powerful,” the Queens native told Page Six Style of his eponymous brand ahead of Monday night’s party. CFDA Awards 2024which he attended alongside Grammy winner Victoria Monét.

“She’s wearing a very dangerous, very severe black cut-out maxi dress,” Smith said.

“When I listen to Victoria’s music and the power and sexiness that is actually portrayed through her lyrics, I felt like it was very much equivalent to my design. I’m really excited that she’s my date.

“It’s really the true essence of what makes a woman feel powerful,” designer LaQuan Smith told Page Six Style of his eponymous brand ahead of Monday night’s CFDA Awards. Tamara Beckwith/NY Post
Smith dressed Grammy winner Victoria Monét for the awards ceremony. Shakira McQueen
“She’s wearing a very dangerous, very severe black cut-out maxi dress,” Smith said. GC Images
“When I listened to Victoria’s music and the power and sexiness that is really portrayed through her lyrics, I felt like it was completely equivalent to my design,” the designer told us. Courtesy of LaQuan Smith

Smith added that he was “so excited” to be heading to the CFDAs – often called the Oscars of American fashion – for the fifth time.

“It’s such an exciting opportunity and time to really celebrate American designers, to celebrate the fashion industry and to celebrate all the small victories and huge strides that we’ve all made as creatives,” a- he shared.

And “On My Mama” singer Monét wasn’t the only one to show some skin on the CFDA carpet; Smith matched her vibe in a dramatic mink coat and black mesh turtleneck with matching gloves, her metallic manicure and her Samsung Galaxy Ring shining through the gossamer fabric.

“We just did an amazing (Samsung) collaboration during fashion week, infusing technology into my designs,” he told us, referring to the semi-sheer silk nightwear capsule in color neon that he incorporated into his spring 2025 fashion show.

“The Galaxy Ring (is) promoting and highlighting beauty and the importance of health and sleep, and that really inspired me to incorporate that into my collections.”

Smith collaborated with Samsung on a collection of colorful sleepwear in semi-sheer silk, which debuted during its spring 2025 show. Getty Images
Smith said he was “so excited” to be heading to the CFDAs – often called the Oscars of American fashion – for the fifth time. Tamara Beckwith/NY Post
“It’s such an exciting opportunity and time to really celebrate American designers, to celebrate the fashion industry and to celebrate all the small victories and huge strides that we’ve all made as creatives,” a- he shared. Tamara Beckwith/NY Post

And while Smith’s label may be synonymous with sex appeal, he’s shown his range time and time again.

Last month, he dressed Vice President Kamala Harris in a long-sleeve, sequinned column dress for a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation event, and in 2021, he dressed Hailey Bieber in a much-discussed nude midi dress for her meeting with her husband Justin with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Below, the designer looks back on those major moments – and some of his other memorable hits.

Kamala Harris (2024)

Getty Images for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation

“Dressing Kamala Harris was truly, truly an honor. She was an early supporter of (mine); she previously wore LaQuan Smith to Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” concert, which was so exciting. I know she’s a big fan of sequins and embroidery, and so it was only natural for me to go in that direction for textiles. I wanted something that was powerful, classic, timeless, but still progressive and still in the same philosophy that LaQuan Smith is known for.

“It’s such a huge moment and it’s such a huge platform for me to be highlighted in this way. I’m just super honored. And I think by supporting young businesses, young Black designers, American designers, businesses and designers of color, I think she really set the tone when it came to wearing LaQuan Smith. And I think that really opened a door for so many more to come.

Rihanna (2024)

GC Images

Hot. I mean, there’s nothing else to say! Just super hot, really awesome, really exciting. I love how she incorporated (the dress) in her own way. Rihanna has always been a big supporter of mine since the very beginning, so it’s nice to see her in LaQuan.

“I think that’s what’s so great and unique about what I do…Seeing women integrate LaQuan Smith into their daily lives from a 24-hour perspective has been the most inspiring thing of my entire career. And it keeps me doing what I do, because I think every woman needs a piece of LaQuan, no matter the time.

Beyoncé (2023)

Last month, the two were all smiles on the red carpet at the premiere of Swift’s “Era’s Tour.” Getty Images for TAS

“This look was specially designed for the “Renaissance” tour. So I was quite shocked to see her wearing it not on tour! Beyoncé was one of the first supporters of my brand. She’s always supported me as a growing designer, and it’s really exciting to always work with her on projects – whether she’s on stage, on the red carpet, or just on her private jet, living her best life. It’s always great to see her wearing LaQuan Smith.

“LaQuan Smith speaks to powerful women. I dress for women who want to be the center of attention, who love their bodies and who are truly committed to the essence of celebration. To me, that represents Beyoncé and so much more.

Hailey Bieber (2021)

GC Images

“I don’t think (sexiness) is something that needs to be really pushed or forced. I think when women close LaQuan, there is a new essence and attitude that evokes the emotions of what makes people feel powerful in my clothes. So I love that she feels absolutely comfortable and unapologetically sexy and sophisticated, and I was thrilled to see her in this look.