Laquan Smith SS24
In September 2023, SWK teamed up with the Laquan Smith team for the third season of New York Fashion Week. As customary, SWK was granted unrestricted access to backstage, the front of the house, the runway, and the afterparty. Read on to find out more about the workings of a fashion show.
backstage/sponsor shots
My first foray into photographing a Laquan Smith show was in September 2023, with the runway event hosted at the Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum. Each year, several companies generously sponsor the fashion show, and the photography team is tasked with capturing high-quality content, subsequently featured on Laquan's social media platforms. The photographers enjoy complete creative freedom to navigate the event, with the crucial caveat of ensuring all sponsored shots from the list are obtained. This year's sponsors included TRESemmé, Lancôme, Remy Martin, and Pearl Street Caviar, among others. Below, you can view all of the sponsored shots taken by SWK that graced Laquan Smith's social media channels.
Lancôme sponsor shots. Makeup is by Lancôme Global International Artist Sheika Daley.
In this season, Laquan Smith joined forces with jewelry designer Austin James Smith to complement the futuristic theme of the collection. As per Laquan’s Instagram post: “With ultra-crisp tailoring, bold proportions, and a highly technical treatment of materials, the collection takes you into a futuristic Laquan Smith universe. For SS24 we’re introducing our new line of Laquan Smith shades and we have also partnered with Austin James Smith to craft pieces for the strong men and women of the future.”
Remy Martin’s LOUIS XIII was flowing from the Amex sponsored lounge bar to backstage.
Some TRESemmé action shots if you care. Hair by Lacey Redway.
Pearl Street Caviar serving caviar bumps as per usual.
Laquan Smith partnered with Amex “to create an exclusive pre-show lounge for @americanexpress card holders to experience the decadent world of LaQuan Smith.“ Guests in the lounge were treated to a special spectacle as they had the opportunity to witness the runway rehearsal.
first looks
Approximately 20 minutes before making their runway debut, models pair up backstage for final grooming. This brief window offers photographers the perfect opportunity to capture some shots of the final looks.
Models: Maamuor, JiaYun Xie, Anna Savka, Chloe Nguyen, Pure, Jasmyn, Alton Mason, and Elsa Hosk.
front of house
Celebrities, yay!
Saweetie
Laverne Cox with Doechii and Leyna Bloom.
From top left: Summer Walker with half cut off Fabolous to her left; Quinta Brunson; Adut Akech with bae Samuel Elkhier; Kimora Lee Simmons with Phillip Lim; Jasmine Sanders AKA Golden Barbie; Kimora Lee Simmons, Coco Jones, and Ming Lee Simmons.
runway
With models Cindy Gradilla, Amilna Estevao, Izabel Goulart, Alecia Morais, Willa Devereux, Alton Mason, Elsa Hosk, and Akuol Deng Atem.
