Mon | Jun 15, 2026

Designer to the stars heads to Styleweek

Published:Sunday | May 15, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Pause
Toni Braxton, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Nicki Minaj are just some of the stars dressed by Laquan Smith.- Contributed Photos
Toni Braxton, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Nicki Minaj are just some of the stars dressed by Laquan Smith.- Contributed Photos
Toni Braxton, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Nicki Minaj are just some of the stars dressed by Laquan Smith.- Contributed Photos
Toni Braxton, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Nicki Minaj are just some of the stars dressed by Laquan Smith.- Contributed Photos
1
2
3
4

Saint International can claim a coup d'état by enlisting celebrity and Vogue-endorsed designer Laquan Smith as headliner for the International Mecca Of Style showcase to be held at the legendary Fort Charles on Saturday, May 28.

With Tyra Banks as his muse and a list of stars as clients, the glitz belies Smith's personal struggles with cancer. Smith's successful battle with the disease makes him an inspiration to many. His undeniable passion and enthusiasm has led him to work with top fashion photographers and models. His New York Fashion Week debut in February was a huge success among fashion insiders. The guest list of 100 exclusives included Vogue editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley,Vogue Style Director Alexandra Kotur, and Diane Von Furstenburg.

Prestigious fashion glossies

His work has earned critical acclaim and not by such prestigious fashion glossies as Vogue, Seventeen, Marie Claire, New York Times and others.

"LaQuan and his team are super-excited to show at Syleweek Jamaica and considers it an honour. We are happy to have him because we know he understands how to put on a great show," said Deiwght Peters, creator and executive producer of Styleweek Jamaica.

Smith arrives in Jamaica on May 26 and will have a whirlwind tour of the city before fitting duties with his models who will include supermodel Shena Moulton.

"What is fascinating is the fact that the recommendation to Laquan and his team came from Italian Vogue cover-girl and supermodels Sessille Lopez and her boyfriend Wendell Lissmore (from the hit BET series Model City) who were both guests at Styleweek last year!" said Peters.

"What I have been getting is an incredible buy-in from international media who wish to come to Kingston (many for the first time) to cover the event," Peters said, of the buzz surrounding Styleweek.

That buzz, Peters said has come from consistency in putting on a good show.

World-class designers

"Styleweek Jamaica has maintained consistency in showcasing world-class designers from Paris, New York and London to our audience. This is done to provide a true global context for our local designers like no other," said Peters.

International designers such as Xuly Bet, Julia Clancey, Ed Hardy, Pierre Henri Mattout, Gaspard Yukievich, Andrew Ramroop (Saville Row, London), Kevin Obrien (Paris), VH-1 Glamgod winner Indashio, and many others have shared the Styleweek Jamaica spotlight.

Apart from internationally acclaimed designers, Styleweek Jamaica will also showcase a dazzling cadre of supermodels from May 25-29.

The Gleaner-endorsed event will feature The International Men's Collection on Friday, May 27 at Devon House at and The International Mecca Of Style on Saturday May 28 at Fort Charles, Port Royal. Both events begin at 9 p.m.

Fashionblock, Styleweek's main event, takes place on Sunday May 29 at 8 p.m.