Get Ready for the Met Gala With Fashion Designer LaQuan Smith

LaQuan Smith knows a thing or two about making a fashion statement, having spent the past decade designing collections coveted by fashion insiders and celebrities. His singular aesthetic combines the edge of streetwear energy with sensuality and an unabashed celebration of women’s bodies. It’s no wonder that stars like Beyoncé, Meghan Thee Stallion, Heidi Klum, and Keke Palmer turn to Smith when seeking a red carpet look that oozes sophistication and sexiness.

While the 2024 Met Gala theme didn’t feel handpicked for Smith—he hadn't previously experimented with florals—the luxurious look he designed for supermodel Adut Akech more than proved he understood the assignment. Ahead, Smith reveals how he got ready or the event, from his go-to pre-Met Gala cocktail to the surprising supervillain who, in part, inspired Akech’s breathtaking jumpsuit. 

The First Monday in May

"The Met Gala is so much more than fashion’s biggest night of the year. It is a moment for designers like myself to dream big and create a look that will forever be enshrined in fashion history," Smith says. "It is a night for excellence, exuberance, and self-expression. I've been in business for over 10 years now, but moments like attending the Met Gala always feel surreal. It is such a 'pinch-me' moment when I think about being a young designer with big dreams and being so proud to represent him on the carpet."

Bringing the Theme to Life

"The first thing that came to mind was the enduring beauty that can be found in nature. I have always been inspired by the organic and natural shapes of flowers and how sensual they are. So, it was fun to lean into research about how floral motifs have shown up in fashion and culture over time."

"My initial research started from a point of romance and sensuality. I wanted to design something that felt organic to the female form," Smith says. "This is my first time working with florals, so it's been a very fun and new challenge. I pulled many inspirations, from the Mariacarla Boscono and Yves Saint Laurent Opium Fragrance 2006 campaign to one of my favorite fictional characters, Poison Ivy."

Smith continues, "This was an exciting moment to create something dreamy and fantastical that leans into my design codes. [The final look] is an all-lace ivory catsuit—a LaQuan Smith calling card—with a full lace skirt overlayed and a beautiful, crushed velvet flower. I love how this look projects strength and romance all in one."

The Muse

"Adut has attended many of my runway shows and extravagant after-parties, but this will be our first time working together. I've been an admirer of her work for such a long time—she's such a force, not only in fashion, but in advocacy. She's the embodiment of the type of woman I love to design for: brilliant, fierce, unapologetically herself, and absolutely stunning."

A Team Effort

"Adut wanted to be very involved in the process, which I love! It was great to collaborate with her. To me, the process of dressing someone should always feel like a partnership," Smith says. "Even when I'm fitting for my runway shows, I give the models a voice. They'll try on a few looks, I ask which is their favorite, and typically that's what I end up putting them in. The results are magic because they feel fierce coming down the runway. The same was true here. Adut’s first choice was the white look we ended up with. I can’t wait to see her shut down the carpet in it!"

The Pre-Game Process

"I really prioritize self-care in the days before a big event like this. I go to Equinox daily to work with my trainer, maintain a healthy routine, and practice mindfulness and gratitude. I also spend a lot of time with my team finalizing the looks. A big moment like the Met Gala is such a team effort and the LaQuan Smith family comes together in full force."

"I try to take the week leading up to the Met Gala to slow down and meticulously plan everything, but the day of is always crazy—final fittings, grooming, shoots, there's so much to do!" Smith says. "Despite all the running around, I always try to take a moment to slow down and embrace it all. Right before heading to the Met, I'll celebrate with a glass of LOUIS XIII Cognac. It elevates the experience and adds to the extravagance and excitement of a glamorous evening."