LAQUAN SMITH

Going into his eighth season at Fashion Week, 30-year-old Queens native Smith counts style powerhouses Beyoncé and Kim Kardashian as fans of his sexy, often body-conscious designs. Serena Williams even walked the runway at one of his early shows, back in 2010. “The inspiration for all of my shows is rooted in female empowerment and the strength of femininity,” he tells The Post ahead of his Sunday show.

What’s your craziest backstage memory?

One of my top backstage memories is flying Cardi B and Yo Gotti out to my runway show in Dubai. As Americans experiencing the beauty of the Middle East, everyone was so inspired that the “Bodak Yellow” music video ended up being shot somewhere in the desert on our trip — with Cardi in a LaQuan Smith PVC look [from the fall 2017 collection].

Do you have a good-luck charm or superstitious pre-show ritual?

[I’m] not superstitious at all. I think the best good-luck charm is working your ass off every six months to produce something truly original and beautiful. That’s difficult in today’s landscape of fashion.

Do you have a motivational phrase you say to your team before the show starts?

Before the first models hit the runway, as a group, we like to say a quick prayer, giving thanks to where we were and where we are now.