LaQuan Smith Wants the Girls to Pump Down the Runway to This Playlist

This is SOUND ADVICE, a weekly destination for playlists curated by Interview’s friends, enemies, and lovers. Over the past few weeks, we’ve gathered playlists from Mia Carucci, Naomi Sharon, and Jean Dawson. This week’s guest is New York City-born fashion designer, LaQuan Smith, who curated a playlist for us of his fave nostalgic NY songs that put him in his “forever Studio 54-esque nightlife mood.” Known for dressing some of the most powerful women in the world, including Beyoncé and Kamala Harris, Smith’s playlist is a lot like his iconic runway soundtracks, giving us “sex, glamour, champagne, and caviar.” In our accompanying questionnaire, Smith runs down his essentials: Tina Turner, Tom Ford, and tequila.

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Where do you dance? At home while I’m cooking, cleaning or getting dressed up.

Bluetooth or wired headphones? If I lose another earbud, I may have a conniption. I’m so sick of misplacing those little things. At this point, it’s all about the wire for me. A lot easier to find 🙂

What’s on your bedroom playlist? 90’s R&B

What was your first concert? Destiny’s Child

Three ingredients to the best house party? Great music, attractive people, and tequila.

Name your favorite artist no one knows about: Duran Bernarr

What song is your guilty pleasure? “Free” by Deniece Williams

Where’s the afters? After hours can be anywhere. It’s whatever u make it baby… wherever the party ends up.

Tell us about your favorite runway soundtrack of your career? Fall/Winter 2023 collection is by far my favorite runway soundtrack. I re-lived my Dynasty era to the fullest. The sound was moody with an attitude that forced the girls to walk the runway like a true glamour-puss. FW23’s music was the true essence of sex, glamour, champagne, and caviar.

Which designer, besides yourself, curates the best runway soundtrack? Tom Ford

Where do you find new music? I find myself Shazaming music from a lot of films or movies I watch. I also love discovering cool mixes and artists on SoundCloud as well.

Favorite album cover? Original Tina Turner Private Dancer Vinyl Record LP 1984 Album 12″ ’80s “What’s Love Got to Do with It?”

Who’s the queen of pop? Madonna