L aQuan Smith, a guy born in the Queens district of New York, is in- spired by the kind of glamorous wom- en who don’t apologise to anyone. That’s probably because he doesn’t compro- mise with trends himself, nor the authorities who denied him when he wanted to enrol in fashion school. Still, that didn’t compel LaQuan to con- sider that his place was not on the catwalk. On the contrary, he was just 21 when he first appeared at the most prestigious event, New York Fashion Week, and raised the world to its feet. Focused on the crazy rhythm of his hometown’s nightlife, this young designer managed to reinvigorate the best times of Thierry Mugler and Azzedine Alaïa, with the additionoffresh,youthfulnotes.Todayhecan boast of the fact that his designs are loved and worn by the world’s greatest divas, icons of style and showbiz - Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian, Serena Williams, Rihanna et al. We met up with this designer in the pleasant environment of the Premium Lounge at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport. He arrived via business class with Air Serbia from New York, only for his journey to take him onwards to Porto Montenegro, where he presented his Autumn/Winter 2018 col- lection. As a man who travels a lot and us- es the services of various airlines, LaQuan says that he was extremely satisfied with the offer and services provided by Air Ser- bia, and that he was particularly thrilled with the cabin crew, who ensured his flight was very comfortable. - Air Serbia has very elegant and chic stuff, I really like the method and criteria that form the basis on which people are selected. That’s because this isn’t just a job, it isn’t just a pretty look, it’s primarily an attitude that talks about what Air Serbia represents. I’m really extremely satisfied; that was the first time I’ve flown with Air Serbia and I found it very comfortable. You say that Air Serbia’s stuff are very elegant... What do you think about women in Serbia, could it be said that they follow the world’s fashion trends? - I’ve only been to Serbia twice and I’m not sure I’m completely competent to eval- uate, but wha*t I can say for sure is that your ladies like to dress up. A market for luxury products exists and that’s noticeable. I ad- mire the elegance of women in Serbia, and above all the fact that they are very chic; like, New York chic! You’re famous for promoting your designs with sexy women who aren’t ashamed of themselves... - I’m from New York, and what I do is de- sign clothes for the modern woman who isn’t ashamed of being totally and openly sexy. The company I founded and the fashion line
I promote celebrate women, celebrate life, celebrate identity and everything it means to be beautiful and sexy. I want women who are authentic, who do not apologise to any- one for anything. The creative process is very intimate, and the women I dress reflect that. While we’re talking about the women you dress, that list is truly impressive. Those are the greatest names of the showbusiness world? -Yes,I’veworkedwithSerenaandRihan- na, dressed Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Kim Kar- dashian, Tyra Banks and many other won- derful women who I’ve been honoured to work with. I’m grateful to them for support- ing my vision and helping me to become what I am today. Are they all also passionate when it comes to fashion? -You know, that’s an intellectual process in which a woman decides what she will put on her body. That’s a specific language with which you want to say something, that’s a choice; the way you represent yourself in the world.Thosebeautifulwomeninmycreations draw out emotions and say – here’s what it looks like to be absolutely sexy! Fashionisn’tjustajobforyou,butrath- er a lifestyle. Your story is different: you wanted to study fashion, but they didn’t allow you to do so? - I was rejected and perhaps that was the best thing that happened to me, because it inspired me to start my own project and busi- ness. When one door closes another opens. I’ve dealt with design since I was little, I was always devoted to and inspired by the wom- en passing by on the streets of New York. Now I have a name and a brand. Do you think that you were lucky? - I don’t believe in luck, but in dedi- cation and hard work, in a strategy. I had something special and I uncovered that gift from God as a young man. I’m blessed be- cause I worked hard to become successful. We’re talking prior to your trip to Mon- tenegro... - Yes, I’m really looking forward to pre- senting in Porto Montenegro my collection for fall/winter 2018, which is inspired by the nightlife of the 1970s. It contains a lot of glamour, sexiness, elegance, heat... The en- ergy of New York is arriving in Montenegro! And, finally, which lady who could car- ry the title - Woman of 2018? - I don’t think that’s someone specif- ic, some famous person. That’s more an is- sue of attitude, atmosphere, mood. That’s a woman who doesn’t apologise, who borders on the raw, very New York, incredibly sexy, advanced intellectually. That’s what char- acterises the woman of the year, whoev- er she may be. Let her remain anonymous and mysterious...
Model sa revije u Porto Montenegru Model from a fashion show in Porto Montenegro
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