# New York Building-Themed Fashion LaQuan Smith Showcases its SS22 Capsule at the Empire State By Amy Duong | Published 2021-09-14 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lacuna-smith References: [hypebeast](https://hypebeast.com/2021/9/laquan-smith-spring-summer-2022-show) LaQuan Smith introduces his new collection for the Spring/Summer 2022 season at the Empire State Building. This is the first time a designer has chosen the iconic skyscraper as a setting as a [runway](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pixelated). Born in Queens, he launches a new slew of contemporary designs. Attendees at the show were shown brand-new looks as the 56 models strut through the observatory floor of the building. In terms of the designs, it captured the elements of retro eras, focusing on the 90s and the early 2000s. This was a prominent time of [hip hop culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paper-planes-1) and Smith infuses that with a modern touch. Some of the looks are more glam and nod to the looks of artists such as Lil Kim. Image Credit: Vogue Runway ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.7/10 - Popularity: 78% | Activity: 24% | Freshness: 10% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Building-themed Fashion:** The incorporation of iconic buildings as fashion show settings presents opportunities for brands to offer unique and immersive experiences to customers. - **Retro-inspired Designs:** Brands can leverage nostalgia for past eras to create fashion pieces that are both relevant and timeless. - **Mixing Hip-hop Culture with Modern Design:** Combining elements of hip-hop with contemporary fashion presents opportunities for brands to create unique, edgy designs that resonates with younger audience. ### Where This Applies - **Fashion:** Fashion brands can tap into unique settings for their runway shows to create a memorable experience and showcase their collections in a compelling way. - **Travel and Tourism:** Landmark buildings can leverage their iconic status to attract tourism and gain more visibility. - **Music and Entertainment:** Hip-hop culture continues to have a significant influence on fashion, and music and entertainment industries can collaborate with fashion brands to create collections that align with their audiences. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Edgy Backpack-Centric Fashion Shows](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/at-the-edge-of-time.md) - [Minimalist Gallery Runways](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/saint-laurent-springsummer-2024.md) - [Inflatable Dome Fashion Shows](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/inflatable-dome-fashion-show.md) - [Building Facade-Inspired Clothing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/seagram-collection.md) - [Intimate Spring Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/louis-vuitton-springsummer-2026.md) - [On-the-Road Fashion Shows](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/louis-vuitton-prefall-2023.md) - [Statement-Making Fall Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/auteur-studios-fall-2025.md) - [Hip Hop Fashion Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fresh-fly-and-fabulous.md) - [Pixelated Runway Displays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pixelated.md)