Fashion designer Laquan Smith has been making plenty of noise in the fashion industry since 2008. Laquan’s clientele is filled with celebrities such as Beyoncé, Cardi B, Jennifer Lopez and the Kardashian/Jenner family. This 28-year old’s entrepreneurial spirit and hard work will never go out of style. Here are five things you didn’t know about Laquan Smith.

1 | He is an only child.

2 | At only 13 years old, his grandmother gave him an old sewing machine which prompted his interest in designing clothes and learning the ins and outs of clothing production.

3 | Smith’s applications to both FIT and the Parsons School of Design were rejected, but that did not stop the designer from still pursuing and perfecting his craft.

4 | He was born and raised in Queens, NY.

5 | Growing up, Smith did not always want to be a fashion designer. He did, however, want to be a cartoonist.

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