She was right on trend with color, infusing a palette of sun bursting yellows, blood orange hues and green brights complimented by a chic collection of Manolo Blahnik heels.On Thursday, September 15th Laura Smalls unveiled her S/S 2012 "Legacy" runway, anchored by her signature collection of dresses featuring both slim-shaped and flare silhouettes. Her looks incorporated lots of draping details, patchwork, color blocks, and appliqué details while also playing with striped patterns. She was right on trend with color, infusing a palette of sun bursting yellows, blood orange hues and green brights complimented by a chic collection of Manolo Blahnik heels.

Since beginning her independent designs in 2009 with her "30 Dresses” collection, it is expected that Smalls will put on a runway that exudes elegance and sophistication and her fifth series delivered that and more. The audience was filled with the "who's who" of New York and fashion in front row attendance at the luxurious Centurion Condominiums penthouse setting, including Vogue's Andre Leon Talley, Italian Vogue's Bethann Hardison, supermodel Chanel Iman, music icon Valerie Simpson, opera sensation Kathleen Battle and actress Grace Hightower De Niro.

"Laura Smalls has the ability to register modern contemporary fashion that is a throwback to ladylike elegance when dressing up for any moment in a day meant something", said Vogue's Contributing Editor Andre Leon Talley post show. "Think Sophisticated Lady”, he continues, “Vibrant color for spring is the new trend. Smalls puts the vitality of saturated celadon green in satin evening dress with embroidered petals at the hem for a dramatic red carpet entrance maker.

She has fused spring with the vibrant strong color as in her peony pink Sophia Loren dress, as well as great style in little black dresses that evoke the elegance of an American original Grace Kelly. Her fluid, jersey dresses are outstanding; she underscores her silhouettes with a nuance of fine dressmaking. I love her sense of drape in asymmetrical jersey dinner dresses. Smalls never forgets to mark her silhouette with a flattering drape."

Over the past year, First Lady Michelle Obama has incorporated Smalls' looks into her style repertoire. In addition to America's First Lady, her designs have also been donned by Kourtney Kardashian, Amber Rose and Heidy Allende giving further evidence that the Laura Smalls collection is becoming a red carpet must have.

This S/S 2012 show was produced in dedication to Smalls' dear friend and famed Motown songwriter, Nick Ashford.
POST: 2024-11-24