LaQuan Smith’s 9 Favorite Things

Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Djiun Wang, Joe McKendry

If you’re like us, you’ve probably wondered what everyday stuff famous people add to their carts, like hair spray or an electric toothbrush. We asked fashion designer LaQuan Smith — who recently partnered with Samsung to release sleepwear inspired by the brand’s new Galaxy Ring smart ring — about the energy-clearing incense, moisturizing body oil, and luxurious throw blanket he can’t live without.

I love the richness of this candle. I’m really into scents that are dark and oaky and woodsy, and this one has vanilla and berries, which are definitely some of the notes I’m attracted to. I always have one in my office and in my home.

For me, when you enter someone’s home, the fragrance is the first introduction of someone’s personality. I think it’s a great way to show someone who you are without saying anything at all. It’s about curating the space, curating the environment. Fragrance and scent and candles and diffusers, that’s my love language to myself and to my friends and family. It’s how I welcome them into my home and into my atelier.

Everyone is always like, “LaQuan, what’s your skin-care routine?” I tend to have drier skin in the winter, so this really rich body oil allows me to stay hydrated. A little goes a long way. I wear it all the time, if I’m out in the sun or if I’m getting ready for bed. And it’s not always for sleep either. It gives me a nice sheen on the décolletage if I’m going out to dinner or have a red-carpet moment coming up. I’ll dab it on the neck area just to really give that nice, moisturized, sexy look.

I work out three days a week. I have a personal trainer for when I’m getting prepped for the Met Gala, Fashion Week, or anything that’s going to be more forward-facing. On my off days, I do about 30 minutes of cardio. Plus, with being on my feet all day working and draping, my body gets tense. I don’t stretch as much as I should, but the Theragun comes in handy while I’m stretching or while I’m in bed. It’s just nice to loosen and release my muscles after some of the intense workouts. Specifically on days where I do leg day and my muscles are really tense, like my calf or sometimes even my neck or my back — this is the golden ticket.

Burning incense is a ritual for me from a spirituality perspective. Anytime I’m entering a new office space, or if I come home from a really bad day of work, or I’m returning from a trip, it’s nice to just clear the air and clear the space. I love being able to reset the energy and gain a new perspective. It gives me peace of mind and a clear heart. My interactions with people and everything that I do is very spiritually connected. So the incense comes in handy to sage the environment and get rid of any toxicity or negativity that is within the space.

It’s all about a nice plump lip. Like I said, I love staying hydrated. You’ll always find me with a moisturized lip, specifically with this balm from U Beauty. It’s something you can always find in my handbag. On a day-to-day basis, I’ll use the clear lip balm, but sometimes if I’m going out or doing a red carpet, I’ll do the tinted lip balm. It’s more like the chocolate color, something more skin-toned. But that’s just if I’m going out.

I am obsessed with everything Bulgari. I originally invested in the Serpenti watch, and then I fell in love with the bracelets, and then I really started to discover more of the fragrances. Allegra Baciami is my signature. With the baccy means “kiss me” in Italian, and it really does feel like it’s perfect for a first date. It’s a very soft, sensual, sexy, luxurious scent. It smells expensive. Going back to those sort of woodsy, oaky, rich fragrances that last a long time, Bulgari is literally No. 1 for that. I go through bottles and bottles and bottles of it. If I could bathe in it I would, it’s that good.

This is just so typical, right? But actually, this Hermes throw blanket was gifted to me for Christmas from one of my best friends. I love it. I mean, yes, it’s great for home décor, but it really is warm. So if it’s chilly in my apartment or I’m feeling cozy during the fall months, I love to snuggle underneath it. It’s just a perfect blanket for those nights where you throw on a Netflix movie with popcorn and a glass of wine. It’s chic and it’s classic.

For me, sleep as part of my overall health and creative process is crucial. Sleep is a luxury. I work so hard and I would love to be able to get my eight hours, ten if I’m lucky. The Galaxy Ring just really unlocked a new world after wearing it every day, using it to follow my vitals and my health insights in the app. The design of the Galaxy devices inspired by the concept of the essential sleepwear pajama set that mirrors the 24-hour wearability of the Galaxy Ring. This was such an interesting partnership because I was allowed to really experience the products and integrate them within my collection. I was really inspired by the element of technology and how it was blending with the sensuality and the modernity of the collection. Sleepwear embodies the essence of looking good and feeling good, and I feel like these devices really capture that.

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