Lafayette 148 was founded 30 years ago at a factory at 148 Lafayette Street in New York, making clothes for women, known as the “bridge” at the time. label. One of the things that set Lafayette apart was its comprehensive sizing from 00 to size 18, plus size and plus size. The other was that Quinn’s co-founder owned the factory, which also found items from Anne Klein, Donna Curran and Ellie Tahari. Lafayette 148 is a rare survivor. The factory moved to China years ago, and the brand’s studios and showrooms moved to Brooklyn Navy Yard in 2017, but the brand remains fully operational.
Quinn and Smith chose to showcase their Fall 2025 collection as a presentation at the Chelsea Art Gallery on Friday afternoon. The presentation format was partly a financial choice, Smith says, as runways are expensive. But it was also a move to allow press, buyers and clients to see and touch clothes closely. It was inspired by the work of female textile artists, including the influential Ani Albers, whose designs are as art as craft.
During the presentation, Smith drank champagne, welcomed guests, and took photos. Quinn spoke to his friend and vented how beautiful the space was. The lounge space gave us a reprieve from Fashion Weekrunabout while textiles lined up on the walls and floors. She boasted that her team had pulled it all away from her with a job that little needed (in fact, two days ago, she was working on the Spring 2026 collection). It was difficult to pilot. The crowd was very thick.
It’s not easy to reserve an hour on the official NYFW calendar. A few years ago, when the CFDA moved from a laissez-faire approach to a strict per-hour schedule, many shows and presentations were swayed from the schedule, forcing them to show off the calendar. But when Lafayette applied for the slot, says Steven Kolb, CFDA’s CEO.
“Emily is on our radar. We know Deirdre very well. It’s a brand that’s part of our family,” says Kolb.
