Naeem Khan

NEW YORK, February 4, 2007
By Laird Borrelli
DJ Donna D'Cruz set a party mood…and Naeem Khan has had reason to celebrate lately. After all, this is the designer who created the slithery metallic dresses worn in the finale of Dreamgirls. And at today's show, he might have had the Oscars in mind (hint, hint, Beyoncé) when he sent out a series of sheaths and gowns covered in jewel-tone paillettes.

If somewhat repetitive, the effect was still dazzling. Another series of striking pieces, including a festive evening jacket, was decked out with hand-cut Venetian-glass mirrors. A series of organzas, meanwhile, were appliquéd with abstract patterns of patent leather, inspired by Mogul palaces in Khan's native India.

He also used embellishments of pleated and steam-crushed organza ribbons. "They are fabulous—artsy and crafty, but modern," feels Khan. The Halston alum balanced out the glitz factor a bit with a pair of pieces that expressed a more subtle elegance: a flowing scarf gown in ombré shades of topaz and a one-shouldered dress adorned with a simple feather corsage.

Style.com