SHOWstudio Panel: Karen Binns discusses LaQuan Smith's A/W 20 womenswear show

Established in November 2000, SHOWstudio is an award-winning fashion website founded by legendary photographer Nick Knight. It has consistently pushed the boundaries, and their ground-breaking projects have set a precedent for the way fashion is communicated in the digital space. As a platform, SHOWstudio encourages fashion to engage with moving image in the age of the internet.

Karen Binns was recently joined by Jaime Jarvis, Zeinab Batchelor and Jake Hall at SHOWstudio to discuss the LaQuan Smith A/W 20 womenswear show. The panellists debated LaQuan Smith's longevity as a brand, as they discussed why the collections garner such Instagram appeal and the future of black designers in America.

Born in Queens, New York, LaQuan Smith started his brand at the age of 21 and spent his early years being instructed by his grandmother who instilled a passion and skill for sewing and pattern making. His distinctive work sparked interest among fashion icons and risk takers including Beyonce, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Kim Kardashian, all of whom were early supporters of the gifted designer.

On LaQuan Smith’s New York Fashion Week catwalk show, Karen debated the commercial side of fashion. What is more important… to be a designer that caters solely to the consumer and brings them what they ask for? A little bit of all of the current trends that are sexy and perhaps classify as Fast Fashion. Or the designer that develops a stronger and original identity in his collections— it might take a bit longer commercially, but it will inevitably last longer. Is there more credibility as a real luxe designer? It seems we are becoming copycats in our desire to cater to the consumer who just wants to buy the very same thing over and over— perhaps because they are more comfortable with what they think is sexy, unchallenging and easy to consume.

You can watch the live panel discussion on YouTube here