Designer Naeem Khan Focuses on Spain in New Fashion Line

Sept. 15: The Naeem Khan Spring 2012 collection is modeled during Fashion Week in New York. (AP)

Indian-born designer Naeem Khan channeled Spain in his new line that offered a glamorous array of sequined, beaded and ruffled gowns.

Khan got a standing ovation after closing out the show with one of his grander creations, a ballgown in silver with a fringed bodice and an extravagantly full skirt.

Khan, who famously has designed gowns for Michelle Obama at not one but two state dinners, said in a backstage interview that he was inspired to create dresses and gowns focusing on Spain.

He also said that if anything was new in his current collection, it was the effect of being “super-clean. This time there was no fuss.”

His fans, though, made a fuss. “It was stunning,” actress Mischa Barton told him after the show as he was crowded with well-wishers.

Colors were not confined to any particular scheme; there were bright oranges and yellows, reds and blues, roses and mauves, grays and burgundies, blacks and whites. (And, of course, gold and silver.)

While most dresses were long, a short beaded cocktail dress in metallic gold with a flattering V-slit in front got some oohs and ahs. And a black leaf-beaded three-quarter-length dress in tulle got an appreciative murmur from Barton.

A fuchsia satin organza “ball-skirt” was so spacious it threatened to spill off the runway. Other silhouettes were narrow. A flamenco gown, also in fuchsia, brought the Spanish emphasis front and center.

While many of the dresses were beaded to extravagant effect, an eye-popping hot pink strapless gown didn’t need it — it was made of “manipulated ribbon.”

Not all dresses were extravagant — some of the better looks were in muted colors like gray and blush.

On the other end of the spectrum, probably the most flamboyant look was a metallic silver dash-sequin gown. If the sequins weren’t enough for you, you only had to look a little farther down: The bottom was made of ostrich feathers.

Based on reporting by The Associated Press.