Call him fashion's "Cinderella." LaQuan Smith, 21, has gone from intern to buzz-worthy designer almost overnight. Now, celebs like Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Amerie are clamoring for his imaginative, sexy pieces. But as he tells theBVX, his come-up was no fairytale.



Daily Candy, The New York Times, Andre J (French Vogue cover model), so many folks came to your first New York Fashion Week presentation. You must be on a high!

I'm so happy. I can't even express it. I'm just so taken aback. I'm so thankful. This is everything I've dreamt of since I was younger. Its like, wow, all this stuff is happening. I'm very thankful!

Were you expecting that kind of response?

No! I'm extremely surprised because you never know how New York is gonna accept you as a designer or your work and your craft. I'm speechless. Just the night before, I was up till 4 a.m exhausted and questioning myself! All I want to do is create clothes that make women feel happy so I'm appreciative that everyone understood my vision.

And what was that vision this season?

I started out wanting something fresh. I kept asking, what can I produce that is inspired by purification. All I kept thinking was water. I was trying to understand the different shapes of water and sand. So I created this woman who is a water goddess. The challenge was how do I create one without it being literal. When I watched "The Little Mermaid" I was struck by Ariel and all her sisters. That inspired me to use neoprene fabrics to echo the matt-ness and dryness of sand. Iridescent denim which had a shark like quality, and pleated some of the garments similar to seashells. I hope it translates to people this season.

It did -- in a major way! Now you seem like an overnight sensation, but I know you aren't.

I'm just so determined. This is all I've ever dreamed off. I live with my grandparents and whenever I'd come home with huge garment bags of my designs, my grandparents would ask, 'What are you doing with your life? You need to get a job!' My granddaddy is a man's man and he'd bring home sanitation applications for me, and I'd be like you've got to be kidding me. It made me want to keep going. I'm a strong believer in following your heart because it never lies to you. It took a lot of praying, but God is so amazing. I really am so thankful, for all the support I've gotten so far, especially from Mariel Haenn, Rihanna's stylist and Nicola Formichetti, Lady Gaga's stylist.



How did you get your start?

Well my first real fashion job was as an intern at Black Book Magazine, I worked for the market editor and fashion director. I knew I didn't want to be a fashion editor, but that was the only thing that came my way. I interned there for nine months. I worked really hard, but it wasn't enough for me. I decided to use the opportunity to meet the people I needed to meet and started attending more fashion events. I began wearing heels , and dressing up more and introducing myself as LaQuan Smith, designer. But it didn't get me anywhere. I began thinking, what am I gonna do that's really gonna make it. Finally, I realized: wear your own designs! Half of the opportunities and the people I've met all started with seeing me in my clothes! I'd follow up right away with emails and line sheets. I was not playing and I was very much determined to go far, and I'm still working hard as we speak.



That's amazing drive and discipline to have at such a young age.

I was diagnosed with fibrosarcoma, which is a form of bone cancer. I still don't even know how I got it because I had no form of cancer in my family. I discovered I had it in high school while prepping for a major fashion show. I kept getting pain in my toes. When the doctors examined me, they realized I had this and they had to amputate my toe. This is why I'm extremely determined because you don't know when you are gonna go. I feel blessed because it didn't have to be my toe, it could have been my foot, my leg, my entire body. It woke me up to say "LaQuan, [you] don't question God's plan." I still don't know why I went through that, but I am alive - and everything happens for a reason. I've learned that you have to live every day like its your last. Everyone's heard that and it sounds cheesy, but its real. But when I say go full strong , go full strong, do what your heart tells you to do, I mean it.

You are infamous for wearing high heels! How'd you learn to walk in them?

Well, it's mind over matter. I just do it! No one taught me how to walk in heels. I just put them on and started pumping. Its about confidence. Even with the doctor amputating my toes, I'm still pumping in six-inch heels. Obviously my family was not happy about their boy wearing girls shoes and they didn't support it. I remember leaving the house dressed conservatively then changing in a taxi or a Starbucks! That was part of my story, part of my way to connecting to the industry. I don't mind wearing heels, its almost like celebrating the inner-woman I design for. Between that alter ego, and my great friendships with women, I get a solid understanding of what women need and translate it into my collections.

Where can we buy your clothes?

Right now, I'm available at Workshop on 59th and Park Avenue in New York City. They sell the infamous gold leggings, which all the celebrities have worn. I will soon be in stores but in the meantime, I'm still able to do custom orders and I'm more than happy to create any specific cool garment. Just check out my website to reach me.