Naeem Khan eager to find out if first lady will wear Indian-inspired submission
When first lady Michelle Obama keeps her closet on lockdown before major events, fashion greats and rookies feel anxiety and hope she will pick their design.
Even for the first state dinner Tuesday in tribute to fashion-forward India, the first lady has maintained her code of secrecy.
“With her you never know what she’s going to wear, and I hope that she’s wearing something from me,” said Indian-American designer Naeem Khan, who was among the designers chosen to submit pieces for the first lady. Khan described the two dresses he submitted as very modern, but based on Indian fabrication.
As expectations climb for the first Obama state dinner, many are eager to see how the blend of cultures will reflect the drama of the evening.
Khan, who has dressed royalty including Queen Noor of Jordan and Princess Yasmin Aga Khan and advised Oprah Winfrey’s business partner Gayle King on Indian wear for the dinner, gave Yeas & Nays a glimpse on what we can expect Tuesday night.
For Indian heads of state, Naeem Khan said to expect traditional saris and the popular two-piece outfit — the scarf and shawl with a long top and fitted pants.
“The sari is a big player in this whole game and the colors,” Khan said.
For other attendees, Khan said he hoped they would reflect Indian fashion with embroidery, colors and of course — gold. Even more, he said he would like to see guests embrace a modernized version of the sari he considers to be “super chic” and maintains in his spring and resort collections.
“Just to twist a little bit of the old way of dressing into the modern is the classy way of doing Indian,” Khan said. “I wish a lot of people will do that.”
But, most importantly, Khan warns that when embracing a 3,000-year-old culture, classiness is key.
