Looks Fashion News

“Girl, what? Of course!”

This is LaQuan Smith’s response when asked if he’s a fan of Laura Croft: Tomb Raider, which he cited as inspiration for his spring 2026 collection. Season after season, Smith designs for the boldest, most daring women among us, and in this range, “she’s commanding a world that she already owns, and it feels dangerous and sexy,” he said.

The first design Smith developed for the collection was a mock-neck column gown made entirely from wood and turquoise beads. Riffs on that embroidery—all hand done in India—were made into a mini skirt, a tubed halter top, and a plunging-V front mini dress. “I really wanted to tap into the dichotomy and balance of things that are really soft and really hard, so I then utilized chiffons, organzas, and faux suedes,” Smith said of how the collection continued to come together.

Styled by Patti Wilson, Smith’s black leather pants—with laces running up the front, side, and back of the legs—were paired with a matching jacket. A flowy, crinkled chiffon dress in bubble gum pink meanwhile, was punctuated with a crocodile belt. Smith was wise to reimagine his oversized boyfriend shirt in snakeskin-printed sparkle organza; together with a netted, basketweave leather dress it was among the most memorable pieces.

Looks that only see the light of day when leaving the club are LaQuan Smith’s M.O. But this season, sheer bodysuits were shown alongside cigarette pants, culottes, and a blazer, all in a pale pinstripe. “It feels more relatable than anything else I’ve done before,” he said of the office-ready selections. Still, don’t expect more than a smattering of daytime practicality moving forward, regardless of what’s going on outside of Smith’s Long Island City atelier.

“I’m simply just not allowing myself to be affected by the changes of the world,” he said. “I’m doubling-down on making fantastic, beautiful pieces for women who want to stand out.”