LaQuan Smith
Queens native LaQuan Smith is just 21, and last I checked in on him, he was making clothes out of his 150 square foot bedroom at his grandparents house in St. Albans. Despite space and age constraints, Smith’s clothes–mostly his coveted lattice-like legging and Balenciaga-inspired neoprene mini dresses–have been worn by everyone from Lady Gaga to Rihanna to Alicia Keys to Tyra Banks. We like him because he’s a true New York City story: He hustles nonstop and it’s starting to pay off. Andre Leon Talley is his outspoken supporter, and since his first show last season, he toured the world attending different fashion weeks, and befriended Courtney Love who has helped him out with fabric costs. Despite all that, he’s still a lovely humble guy. And he’s bringing some much needed diversity to the designer pool. –Leah Chernikoff