LaQuan Smith has built his reputation on unapologetic sexiness. He knows his niche: body-conscious silhouettes, skin-baring cuts, and clothes made for women who want to be noticed. But for his Fall 2026 collection, Smith set out to prove he could do more than that. The question wasn’t whether he could still deliver the sultry pieces that made his name. Could he demonstrate sophistication without compromising the confident sensuality that defines his work?
| 📌 Key Facts |
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| ✨ Fall 2026 marks LaQuan Smith’s strongest move into tailoring 🧥 Shearling replaces real fur after CFDA ban 🎬 Bond girls inspire power-driven silhouettes 🕶 Sunglasses with Barton Perreira expand brand reach 🖤 Catsuits remain, but in controlled proportion 🏆 Oscars-ready gowns signal red carpet ambition |
Smith wanted to use real fur. He made this clear during a preview at his Long Island City headquarters. The CFDA’s fur ban thwarted that ambition, but the designer found a solution. Shearling became his material of choice, and he treated it with the same lavishness he might have applied to arctic fox. Hulking jackets appeared lined with the luxurious textile. One ivory shift dress featured shearling at the hem, creating an unexpectedly modest silhouette. The model wore her hair teased into a bouffant, evoking a certain First Lady elegance. However, Smith had other intentions.
The designer looked to James Bond films for inspiration. Not the spy himself, but rather the women who populated his glamorous and dangerous world. Smith referenced the ideology of these characters-women who possessed strength, allure, and a formidable presence. He imagined them in crimson velvet pantsuits with plunging necklines or leather miniskirts with zigzag zippers that suggested high-speed pursuits. These weren’t costumes for fantasy alone. Strip away the cinematic context, and the clothes could work for women who need their wardrobe to project power, whether in boardrooms or after dark.
One particularly clever piece reimagined the classic bow tie as a bikini top. The reference was clear: those iconic moments when Bond girls emerged from tropical waters. However, Smith wasn’t copying any single character. He was channeling attitude.
The opening looks featured reworked motorcycle jackets as short coat dresses. Details mattered here. Curved zippers ran along the front, adding visual interest to what would have otherwise been plain outerwear. A white tuxedo shirt came with a black bow tie sewn into the neckline that was left deliberately untied. The effect was polished yet playful.
Smith’s approach to outerwear felt fresh. Calf hair and crocodile-embossed leather appeared on trucker jackets. Oversized shearling pieces offered warmth without losing their seductive edge. Refinement was suggested by velvet pinstripe suits, while velvet puffer coats with vertical paneling showed the designer thinking beyond his usual territory. Dresses took a backseat this season, allowing Smith to demonstrate his range.
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The designer spoke about being intentional with his cuts and silhouettes. He devoted time to construction. That deliberateness showed. Previous seasons sometimes pushed sexiness to the point of crassness. This time, Smith pulled back just enough to let the craftsmanship speak for itself. A black lace catsuit with a low neckline and built-in bodysuit that sat high on the hip bones still made an appearance. While the sheer, skin-revealing trend feels overdone at this point, for Smith, that aesthetic remains intrinsic to his brand identity.
This approach worked better when paired with more covered pieces. A white, double-breasted suit paired with a nude mesh top featured golden embroidery in strategic places. This juxtaposition suggested a woman weighing her options: career focus or nightlife freedom. Smith presented the suit in a way that was distinctly his own.
He talked about moving beyond what he called “the catsuit thing.” He wants to explore broader commercial opportunities. Sunglasses developed with Barton Perreira offer an entry point into his world. Given all the lace details and inserts throughout the collection, lingerie seems like an obvious next step. The finale was supposed to feature bugle-beaded nude-illusion gowns with silk mermaid skirts. It’s unclear whether financial or time constraints kept them off the runway, but Smith had framed them as his answer to the perfect Oscars dress.
