WHAT DO WE REALLY THINK OF NAEEM KHAN?
- Jan 28, 2015
- 2 min read
Naeem Khan - Haute Couture Wedding Designer
Royal Seamster and sharp technician, we trace his bridal wear's success story…
Long gone are the days of blushing brides, too cautious to tread beyond layers of lace and tradition. The new runway friendly and fashion forward hoard demand nothing short of what the First Lady Michelle Obama is seen in. Here enters Naeem Khan, 56 year old Indian origin designer who has managed to cut through the obvious choices of Vera Wang and Elie Saab to be featured in one of many bridal trousseaus. His Bridal Collection debuted in October 2013 and can be seen in stores across the globe.
Strapless lace Applique ball gown.
The Master at Work
To call Khan’s gowns anything less than works of art would be a sheer disservice. Each piece is carefully designed from handmade fabrics and beading imported from India where it is cut and silver plated akin literally to the Maharaja’s quilts (Naem’s family owns Suzarisa, a beading factory that serviced royalty) and feature drop dead gorgeous cuts and silhouettes that would make any tailor worth his salt sit up and take notice.
From Taylor Swift and Beyonce to the Queen Noor of Jordan, royalty and opulence is a theme sprawled across his collections and the names that favour him. No name dropping however can compare to the sartorial stir the custom made strapless gown Michelle Obama wore to the President's First State Dinner. The dress that made international headlines and attracted more attention than the Indian Prime Minister’s visit.
Unique Influences
One look at his Spring 2015 Collection and you will be rest assured that this name is here to stay, in the Bride to be’s check lists. ‘Bellagio” with it’s tulle sleeve and metallics as well as the chic back. Sounding far simpler than it is, it has an ethereal quality that leaves you marvelled yet not overwhelmed at the stunning example of couture in front of you. Rome wasn’t built in a day and Khan’s influences have their origins at the unconscious knowledge of fabrics, textiles and beading that he imbibed in India and the hands of the family owned Suzarisa. “My grandfather, Shamshuddin Khan, started his embroidery and fabric-making business in the 1930s. My earliest memory is of playing with yards of rich fabric spread across my house in Bombay, and making toys out of wooden spools.” Pair that with the draping and simple mechanics he learnt while working at Halston, New York and you have an exquisite marriage between the two, this is what the Bridal Wear Collection aptly goes on to symbolise.
Behind all that glitz, glam and opulence is sound technique and a compassionate heart. Naeem, along with his wife, jewellery designer and former model Ranjana Khan, are passionate about empowering South Asian Immigrant women and even organised a fund raising charity that previewed his Spring 2015 Collection for this very purpose.
Malibu - from the Spring 2015 collection, embroidered sleeveless gown with detachable organza train.
Bellagio - Spring 2015 Collection
Written by: Dhruvi Narsaria
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