In the past few years, Naeem Khan has vied with Oscar de la Renta as the go-to designer for Houston's smart set. Khan was in Houston earlier this month to showcase his spring and resort 2012 collections at the Amschwand Sarcoma Cancer Foundation's Catwalk for a Cure luncheon and runway show at Hotel ZaZa. CultureMap contributing photographer Michelle Watson was so taken with the runway show, presented by Saks Fifth Avenue, that she sent along these photos, which show why Khan's designs have become so popular. The designer's clientele includes first lady Michelle Obama, Stacy Keilber (George Clooney's current squeeze who stole the show at The Descendants premiere in a gravity-defying Khan gown) and Houstonian Becca Cason Thrash.
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A look from Khan's resort 2012 collection.
Khan said his muses for the spring collection were legendary Hollywood designer Edith Head and Ava Gardner in The Barefoot Contessa. There is certainly Hollywood glamour in the designer's beaded gowns and flowing caftans.
A yellow gown with flared skirt from Khan's spring 2012 collection.
Showstopper: Khan's form-fitting sequined patterned gown with feathered hem from the spring 2012 collection.
An impressionist floral-print silk kaftan from Khan's resort 2012 collection.
Style.com reports that Khan's "Cinco de Mayo" gown with an off-the-shoulder peasant bodice and a trailing, fitted skirt uses 26 different colored threads and took over 1,000 hours to create. It's from the resort 2012 collection.
The color purple always stands out.
Orange delight.
While Khan's gowns are know for their flash, at times he reverts to simple elegance, as in this white gown with a sexy slit in the skirt.
An art deco look is evoked in this gown with a silvery fitted waist.
Paisley print gown with feather detail
Khan is know for intricate embroidery, as evidenced in this look from his resort 2012 collection.
