Indian designer Naeem Khan hit it out of the park with a dazzling collection of dresses that heralded applause and standing ovations from the audience. Never one to disappoint, the well edited collection of hand beaded dresses, floral prints, romantic caftans, over the top jewelry and jeweled shoes, were a sight to behold. You know you’ve done something right when the Senior Vice President of Neiman Marcus, Ken Downing, embraces you backstage and gives you major kudos and kisses for a job well done.
There were no pieces that would be deemed day wear appropriate, unless of course you were to lounge yacht-side in St. Tropez or Dubai. Naeem Khan knows his audience, the socials with ostentatious taste and the preference for the ornate and over the top, which is what this collection was all about. Each piece is worthy of the red carpet or a swanky gala. There was a short frock I could see a few of my preppy friends in but over all this grown-up collection was meant for the socialite or celebrity with somewhere to go.
There were several looks Washington socials and the First Lady might be interested in. An elbow length yellow floral frock and its strapless gown version, a gown with a white beaded tank and an embroidered black ball skirt; a black and white floral embroidered gown, two ornately jeweled sheath dresses and a strapless nude gown all reminded me of things the First Lady would wear. The critics saying Naeem Khan wouldn’t appeal to those below the Mason Dixon line must not have ever partied in Washington, DC or high society fetes in the South. We do love flash and grandeur, which is what Mr. Khan delivered for Spring.
