2016 Year of the Stunners: Khan-terbury Tales

Naeem Khan, Fashion
When I was asked if I would write this article on Naeem Khan, I was only too happy to do so, as I not only enjoy writing but Naeem Khan is a label I look up to for his style and sensibility, with contemporary silhouettes, and over the top fine embroideries. The blend, I believe is simply an impeccable evolution of style! He has been a mastermind of covetable designs since 2003, dressing up some of the biggest names in Hollywood along side first lady Michelle Obama and Kate Middleton.

His high voltage glamour is seen in his collections, in which he uses rich silks and polyesters with exotic detailed hand beading and appliqué. His works with sheer materials like tulle, chiffons, georgettes, lace and light silks bring in and keep with the femininity of an individual. His designs are the quintessential expression of a woman’s inner beauty and sensuous nature.

Naeem is an Indian-American fashion designer who currently lives and works out of New York and his new glamorous abode in Miami. He was born into a family of couturiers who dressed the royals of earlier times. It was only natural for him to follow in the lines of his father and grand-father then. Naeem’s take on modern couture is simply his inborn talent.

Kate Middleton

A couple of season’s back, I attended his runway show at New York Fashion Week and it was indeed a treat. Luxurious fabrics sashayed down the ramp while the models wore a sense of complete sensuality and confidence. Bold make-up dominated the look with a strong burgundy and deep red lip colour. This look is something that is seen in Naeem’s collections often. It clearly transforms you straight to the red carpet or a high-fashion evening out. His stunning embroidery and rich vivid colours are his highlight. The silhouettes are simple but his ruffled necklines and heavily sequined jumpsuits and gowns from another recent collection, in multiple colours, was simply a rainbow parade. The more sculptural gowns were enliven with huge flower appliqués and distinct fold over collars; some of which ran across the shoulder and ended in a deep V shape at the back.

His wedding couture collection is clearly for his A-list client celebrities. With detailed rich embellishments like beads, sequins and crystal ornamentation, his collection stresses on mastery fit and an individual sense of style. His gowns are crafted with the finest of fabrics and all ornamentation is hand made. His use of exotic laces is clearly seen in his collections and has been my favourite so far, from his latest collection. A high collar with three-quarter length sleeves, tulle gowns with an A-line look where the skirt is fully appliquéd in multiple size flowers and the gown is cinched at the waist with tiny criss-cross patterns , all done in beads and silk thread motifs, which run through the garment subtly. The look is not pure white but has an ethereal vintage white feel.

Naaem’s fall’16 collection was inspired by the art-deco and the New York skyline.

Once again his use of age old embroideries on fit and flare silhouettes and his trademark multi-hued sequin lines are seen boldly on the column dresses. The silver hand embroidered sequin jumpsuit is surely my favourite from this collection but it is difficult not to add stress on his thigh high exotic embellished boots.

The writer, Michelle Salins, is a Bengaluru-based fashion designer of international repute in India, USA, UK and was recently awarded the Alta Roma World Of Fashion Haute Couture Award.