Naeem Khan's 'nice guy' glamour
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 17: A model walks the runway at the Naeem Khan Fall 2011 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at The Stage at Lincoln Center on February 17, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for IMG) Credit: Getty/Frazer Harrison
Naeem Khan is one of the few designers who consistently gets a standing ovation at the end of his runway shows. His fans LOOOVE him, and not just because he's known as a "nice guy" in the fashion biz, but because he has a vision all his own.
And so out came inventive prints and textures unlike any we'd seen this week--like the first dress down the runway, a short satin number with red patent-leather embroidery, all hand-applied; or a black and white "Ink Blot" design on a wool crepe cap sleeve dress. A gold-beaded caftan in a paisley print, reminiscent of Northern Africa or the Mid-East, looked dramatic (and earned applause). A pair of gowns with silver teiki beading glittered and hugged the figure, and a wool crepe sheath dress shimmered with black fringe beading that dripped like rain. Another charmeuse floral number seemed to fill with air in back as the model walked, ballooning out behind her like a clever parlor trick--making any entrance into a room dramatic.
By the end, the runway was littered with little bits of beading or ostrich feathers. it's easy to see why the Upper East Side and North Shore ladies keep coming back to the brand for their gala gowns and cocktail numbers. And why the crowd here is quick to rise to its feet.
