LaQuan Smith presented his Fall 2026 ready to wear collection at New York Fashion Week, drawing on Bond girl glamour, Sean Connery tailoring, and cinematic 1960s references. Shown from his Long Island City headquarters, the collection featured shearling lined outerwear, velvet suiting, leather minis, lace trimmed lingerie details, and bow tie bikini tops. The Fall 2026 runway reframed the mythology of Bond women through Smith’s signature sensual codes while expanding into tailoring and accessories.
Bond Codes Through a LaQuan Lens
LaQuan Smith framed the collection around the idea of Bond, James Bond. Rather than referencing one specific character, he focused on the attitude of women across the franchise. Honeychile Ryder, Jinx, and May Day were touchpoints, but the through line was persona. Shearling became a focal point. With real fur prohibited under the CFDA’s ban, Smith leaned into allowed materials, lining oversized jackets and trimming an ivory shift with plush texture. One look, paired with a teased bouffant, carried echoes of Jackie Kennedy, though Smith clarified his cinematic reference skewed toward Bond.
Tailoring nodded to Sean Connery’s era. Sharp suiting appeared with swagger, including a bow tie transformed into a bikini top. The gesture felt playful but aligned with Smith’s established language of body conscious silhouettes.
Explore more in our LaQuan Smith page and revisit New York Fashion Week coverage.
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Leather, Velvet, and the Expansion Beyond Catsuits
The collection moved beyond Smith’s known catsuit formula. He spoke about exploring more commercial territory, and that shift showed up in suiting and accessories. A crimson velvet pantsuit paired with a low cut blouse carried organized crime drama energy. Leather minis with zipper tracks zigzagged across the body, recalling high speed chase sequences. The styling translated cinematic fantasy into wearable night out pieces.
Lace trims and lingerie inserts introduced softness within the sharper tailoring. Smith pointed to lingerie as a natural category extension. Sunglasses created in partnership with Barton Perreira added another entry point into his aesthetic.
Eveningwear and the Oscar Question
The intended finale included bugle beaded nude illusion gowns with silky mermaid skirts. Though they did not walk the runway, Smith described them as his answer to the perfect Oscars dress. That ambition speaks to scale. The Bond theme allowed him to stretch into cinematic evening territory while keeping the silhouettes grounded in his established identity. Across Fall 2026 at New York Fashion Week, designers are reasserting clear brand language. Smith did not pivot away from sensuality. Instead, he reframed it through tailoring, shearling, and expanded categories.
Discover more Fall 2026 runway coverage in our Fall 2026 runway archive.
What inspired LaQuan Smith’s Fall 2026 collection?
The collection drew inspiration from the Bond canon, referencing characters such as Honeychile Ryder, Jinx, and May Day, along with Sean Connery era tailoring.
Where was the Fall 2026 show presented?
LaQuan Smith presented the Fall 2026 collection at his Long Island City headquarters during New York Fashion Week.
What key materials appeared in the collection?
Key materials included shearling, velvet, leather, lace trims, and bugle beading.
Did LaQuan Smith expand into new categories for Fall 2026?
Yes. The collection included tailoring, sunglasses created with Barton Perreira, and lingerie elements, signaling category expansion beyond catsuits.
Extra Style Notes
Brand DNA
Founded by Queens native LaQuan Smith, the New York label built its name on body conscious glamour and unapologetic sensuality. Think liquid jersey, daring cutouts, and razor sharp tailoring designed for nightlife and red carpets. Worn by Rihanna and Kim Kardashian, it defines modern American sex appeal.
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