LaQuan Smith held his runway show at Lower East Side venue Skylight at Essex Crossing on Monday night, drawing a front row that included musicians — Babyface, Mary J. Blige, Fabolous, Summer Walker, and Saweetie — along with actors like Laverne Cox, Leyna Bloom, Quinta Brunson and Yvonne Orji, and model Coco Rocha.

“I was actually at one of his first Fashion shows,” Saweetie said of her support for the designer. “But when I was at his [early] shows, I was standing, not sitting. I’ve evolved in the Fashion world, I know that’s right.”

REVIEW: LaQuan Smith Spring 2024

The Grammy-nominated rapper was dressed in one of Smith’s designs, a red sequined gown with a midriff cutout. “I like that he takes risks,” she added. “I feel like his personality matches the clothes, so it always feels super authentic.”

Laverne Cox has also been an early supporter of LaQuan Smith.

“I’ve been wearing him for years, and I love his clothes,” said Cox, who was seated next to June Ambrose. “The clothes are so sexy and so wonderful, and I love the evolution. I wore him years ago — I think it was 2015 — he made a beautiful body suit for us for one of the ‘Orange Is the New Black’ premieres. And to see how his brand has grown and how everyone has caught on, it just makes me really grateful and that we were there early, thanks to my stylist Christina Pacelli. She’s amazing, [LaQuan] is amazing, and I’m excited,” Cox added. “He brings out a very eclectic, diverse and fierce crowd.”