LaQuan Smith delivers high-octane confidence into unapologetic silhouettes of anti-demure for SS24.

“Sex is a part of nature. I go along with nature,” Marilyn Monroe once cooed. Were Marilyn here today, she would find a kindred spirit in LaQuan Smith, for whom selling sex, sartorially speaking, comes as naturally as breathing air. Smith’s latest effort drew the likes of Mary J. Blige, Saweetie, Babyface, Fabolous, Laverne Cox, Leyna Bloom, Quinta Brunson, Coco Rocha, Yvonne Orji and June Ambrose, who settled in for a romp of audacious fabulousness.

And it looked fabulous indeed (even to a critic whose personal comfort zone veers more Schmatta Sue than Siren). While the sexcapade urge comes naturally to Smith, its expression takes discipline and work. This collection felt elevated in presentation, a polished pleasure trip of gorgeous people flaunting their assets with pride. Chief among those assets: confidence.

Smith designs for supremely confident women who know they can pull it off, whatever it may be. That gives him the freedom to push and push and push, his body of work to date suggesting that he operates in a no-boundaries zone. For spring, bring on the metallic leathers, in celebratory colors – Purple! Blue! Aqua! Fuchsia! – worked into tiny briefs with a satin shirt, bustier mini dresses, baggy pants with a sheer T and lots of other high-shine gems, including some for men.

Fellas, would you wear a short-shorts suit inspired by crinkled Reynold’s Wrap? Perhaps, if you wore it like Smith’s model. Smith also showed sharp Power Woman tailoring and some spiffy denim, including terrific extra-baggy jeans that zip off into shorts, perfect for dressed-down moments. Yes, it seems even the LaQuan client dresses down on occasion.