Bridal design is a sweet spot for Naeem Khan. With wedding dresses, he’s able to focus solely on his intricate techniques, his beautiful handwork, and his penchant for glamorous, statement-making eveningwear. His brides prefer a body-conscious or voluminous silhouette, always with beading, crystal embellishments, and feathers. While his Fall 2020 collection had hints of his fan-favorite flou, it also looked decidedly cleaner. Khan focused his efforts on editing down his offering and incorporating new pieces inspired by ready-to-wear, like a lightweight sequined long-sleeve top and matching pants and a halter jumpsuit. He also introduced a series of little white minidresses, a few of which were punctuated by fringe.
In the details and cuts, the gowns and separates nodded to Khan’s time spent working with Halston in the ’70s. He often goes back to that point in his career, and while it’s become a bit redundant in his main-line collections, here it felt refreshing and wearable. The idea was to give a bride a complete wardrobe for her entire wedding celebration, from the rehearsal dinner to the after-party to Sunday brunch. Khan succeeded in doing so while still maintaining his masterful couture touch. The gowns were lovely—some with subtle embroidery on sheer tulle, others with floral appliqués and delicate beads—and will appeal to women beyond Khan’s usual clientele of brides who love to make an entrance.
