On Tuesday night, LaQuan Smith closed out New York Fashion Week with a runway show held at the Classic Car Club at Pier 76. The room was packed with rare cars and VIPs alike, as guests navigated the hazy runway ahead of the show.
“We don’t come to that many fashion shows. We pick and choose. So this is one of them we chose tonight,” said Coco Austin, dressed in a fitted gold mesh LaQuan Smith dress, as she made her way from the outdoor cocktail area with husband Ice-T.
Asked how familiar he was with Smith’s work ahead of the show, Ice-T said, “Not at all,” adding that the pair were attending the show through a mutual connection with Busta Rhymes.
“He said, we gotta come to this fashion show. We don’t do anything. I’m not a crowd person, but it’s always fun to dress up and come out and do something,” added Ice-T, who had just presented at Sunday’s Emmy Awards, as part of a “Law & Order” tribute. “So we’re here to support. But I’m waiting to see the fashion show. I think it’s good to come to see a fashion show with virgin eyes. I don’t even know what to expect.”
Smith’s VIP crowd was packed with musicians, including Ty Dolla Sign, who’s gearing up to release his next album, Latto, Mariah the Scientist, Amerie, Ari Lennox and Ice Spice. Lil’ Kim, in a bright blue two-piece, dragged her fur coat along the ground as she was led through the crowd by a bodyguard. Busta Rhymes also arrived ready for colder weather in a large fur coat, attending the show with sons Trillian Wood-Smith and T’ziah Wood-Smith.
Lil’ Kim at LaQuan Smith spring 2026 ready-to-wear show.
Steve Eichner/WWD
Shortly before the show’s start, the crowd erupted in cheering as Wendy Williams made her way down the runway to her seat. The former talk show host, sidelined in recent years with health issues, had unexpectedly shown up at Bach Mai’s show the day before. After Williams took her place in the front row, Ice Spice — who reportedly wanted to be the final VIP to sit — earned a slightly more muted welcome as she was rushed to her seat next to the Porsche 911 Speedster, one of several high-end cars on display throughout the space.
Other guests included Jordyn Woods, Valentina Ferrer, Adam Lambert and a few of Sean Combs’ children, twins D’Lila Combs and Jessie Combs and their brother King Combs.
After Smith took his bow on the runway, a smiling Busta slowly made his way back out to 12th Avenue, obliging the many, many selfie requests along the way.
