For his new fall assortment, designer Naeem Khan—a talented professional of eveningwear and gown-making—seemed to fellow trend innovators for inspiration. Notably, Khan developed a fascination with a few of the biggest American couturiers, citing names like Invoice Glass or Geoffrey Beene in his analysis course of. “They have been such masters of what they did—and their silhouettes have been very clear, easy, and American,” says Khan. With the spirit in thoughts, then, Khan discovered his path, aiming to remodel his signature glitzy clothes with a way of ease and unfussy sophistication.
A nod to American trend, naturally, meant sportswear references—an sudden contact for somebody like Khan, whose clientele is extra suited to galas than sport day. A lot of his robes this season have been made with jersey—a simple, sporty material that he fancy-fied by embroidering it with golden bursts of sequins. “The robes don’t wrinkle, so you’ll be able to journey with them, put them on, and also you’re able to go,” stated Khan.
For him, although, it was much less about embracing Americana, and extra about paring again the drama—permitting extra subdued formal apparel to shine with delicate element work. His caftans, which his prospects have been more and more asking for, got here in burgundy with golden accents. His feathered black robe, with a cinched sequined waist, felt extra smooth and extreme. “It has a Mad Max really feel to it—very robust,” stated Khan. A easy black off-the-shoulder velvet column robe, in the meantime, had a beaded bouquet of pink flowers peeking out on the bust—like a shock. “It’s for a lady when she sits on the dinner desk,” stated Khan, who’s at all times considering of gala dressing. “You simply see her shoulders.”
Nonetheless, the designer couldn’t assist himself by including a contact of excessiveness into the extra subdued providing this season. There have been sufficient crystals, for one, to gentle up the Empire State Constructing with the shine. Khan tried to make use of the shimmering stones in new methods, like in degradé patterns on short-sleeve robes, or as starry galaxy patterns impressed by the night time sky. You’ll by no means catch Khan not doing disco ball dressing: His purchasers merely wouldn’t stand for it. “One of many causes for our success is as a result of we don’t wave left or proper,” he stated. “We’re recognized for what we do. It’s traditional, however there’s a newness to it.”
