Emily Smith

The Woman Behind Lafayette 148 NY

An Atlanta native, Emily Smith was enthralled by fashion from a very young age, which led her to Savannah College of Art and Design. She joined Lafayette 148 New York in 2002 as a Design Assistant. Since then, her warm, collaborative design approach, technical mastery, and gift for perfecting a garment from the inside out propelled her rise to Creative Director for the brand. From trend forecasting to developing each collection, to traveling the globe in search of the finest fabrics, Emily has helped guide Lafayette 148 New York to a new level of luxury—and built a gifted team to chart the brand’s next chapter. With the #L148Resort23 collection, Emily serenely explores the endless possibilities of the seasonal wardrobe from her atelier at the heart of the Brooklyn Naval Yard. Confidently riffing on the aesthetic and stylistic hallmarks of the 1990s –the time and place that birthed the brand – the collection sees Smith establish her coolly precise vision for the house’s modern iteration.

How long ha How long ha How long ha How long ha long hav v v ve y e y e y e y e you work ou work ou worked at R ed at R Rodes? odes? odes? I’m a ‘newbie’ at 4 months!

Where is y Where is y Where is y Where is y your home town? our town? our our

I grew up in New Orleans, but just moved to Louisville by way of New York City.

Describe Y Describe Describe Y Describe Your P our P our P P Personal St ersonal St ersonal St ersonal St Style: yle: yle: I would say the base of my wardrobe is classic, but I love incorporating trends each season and making them my own. Right now I’m super inspired by brands like The Row, Totême, and Loewe. I can’t get enough of oversized blazers and trousers.

What is y What is y What is y What is y your fa our fa fav v v vorite accessory? orite accessory? orite accessory? orite accessory? orite accessory?

A great handbag can make any outfit special. I always invest in accessories.

What music are y What music are What music are y What music are you listening to most? ou listening most? ou listening to most? ou listening most?

A little bit of everything, but mostly Harry Styles.

What is y What is y your fa our fa our fa our fa fav v v v vorite v orite v orite v orite v orite vacation spot? acation spot? acation

While there’s nowhere better than Italy in the summer, I grew up going to The Bahamas and got engaged there, so it’ll always be a special place for me.

What looks, garments or br

What looks, garments or br

What looks, garments or br

What looks, garments or br or brands are y ands are y ands are y ands are y you most ex ou most ex ou most ex ou most ex most excited to cited cited to cited share with y share with y share with y share with y your clients for the coming season? our clients the coming our clients for the coming season? our clients the coming

I am so excited about Lela Rose! Before becoming a fashion designer she was trained as a painter and sculptor, so her silhouettes and prints have such a sophisticated point of view.

ERICA’S PICKS FOR SPRING/DERBY LELA