Looking at his collections, it becomes clear that LaQuan Smith’s design aesthetic revolves around optimizing the self – lush textures, sleek silhouettes, and bold prints that exude the main character’s energy. Given that his designs are designed to encourage women to embody their more confident selves, we were curious to see how LaQuan is conjuring that confidence into his own everyday life. How does the Queens native integrate self-care into an eternal Google Cal? That year, Smith’s secret weapon was as a personal trainer at Equinox.
Photo: Courtesy of Equinox
Photo: Courtesy of Equinox
“I constantly challenge myself – creatively, professionally, physically and mentally,” explains Smith. Although he’s no stranger to exercising and he’s not new to the luxury health club, his busy month of fashion has seen him improve his routine. “Even before I started my personal training program with Equinox, I used to go to the gym every day. Training helps me feel about myself in all areas of life and do my best.” Last year, Smith first teamed up with Equinox for the gym’s Future of Fashion Initiative, a joint venture with L’Officiel USA that honors the most forward-thinking creatives in fashion.
Now that the pandemic forced him to miss two consecutive shows, his return to New York Fashion Week required extensive preparation in and out of his studio. “By September, I wanted to strengthen myself both physically and mentally,” says Smith. “I worked with an Equinox Tier X trainer, Rashaad, who developed a fully personalized lifestyle management program that focuses not only on exercise but also on diet and recreation.”
Photo: Courtesy of Equinox
Between countless hours on the cutting room floor, Smith found time to train three times a week with his Level X trainer. On days when he wasn’t exercising with Rashaad, he kept the momentum going with “two 30-40 minute cardio sessions twice a week to increase my cardiac output and excess fat on the days I didn’t exercise “.
When it came time for him to celebrate two big premieres (he attended his first Met Gala and its Spring 2022 performance was the first to ever take place in the Empire State Building) the payoff was more than superficial. “Equinox’s holistic, hyper-personalized exercise program has helped me look, feel and perform at my best – it gave me confidence and helped me overcome any overwhelming emotions that came up. I knew this was going to be a stressful time and that I had to prioritize. Body wellness. “
Look 1 from LaQuan Smith’s SS22 Fashion Show;
Photo: Courtesy LaQuan Smith
Look 13 from LaQuan Smith’s SS22 Fashion Show;
Photo: Courtesy LaQuan Smith
When you’re running a design start-up like Smith, it’s not uncommon to wear a lot of hats and have very little downtime. To make up for the heavy creative effort, self-care should be a top priority to avoid burnout. That is what brought Smith to Equinox in the first place – the high-intensity workouts take place in an environment that feels indulgent, making it feel like doing yourself good while going through strenuous circuits. “I am a self-made designer whose style is luxurious, uncompromising, glamorous, classy, sexy and always ambitious. Equinox exudes the same atmosphere and, having been a member for years, I knew that her personal training program would spur me on and give me.” the bespoke, high performing experience I’ve been looking for, ”he says. “I wanted to break down barriers and reach new heights, not just with my NYFW show and Met debut, but personally and in a way that showed the power and hard work that went into all of this.”
LaQuan Smith and Model Duckie Thot;
Photo: Courtesy Mike Vitelli / BFA.com
