One of the most successful and enduring Indian-American fashion designers, Naeem Khan is best known for his delicately embellished evening gowns and dresses. Developing his talent under the watchful eye of his mentor, Halston, Khan eventually combined the late designer’s penchant for draping with the intricate beading and details of his homeland.
While at Halston, Khan studied how the master expertly draped pieces of material into gowns. He hung out with celebrities like Liza Minnelli and Elizabeth Taylor and upper-echelon society women like Babe Paley and Gloria Vanderbilt. Minnelli helped him design stage costumes, while Truman Capote helped Khan make his unorthodox fashion ideas come to life. After leaving Halston, Khan freelanced for various brands within the industry. In 1983, he created his first company, Riazee, which created designs released across America. He used the knowledge gained from that venture to launch a self-named label in 2003.