With the 2024 Oscars coming up in March, it’s hard not to envision one of Naeem Khan’s signature glitzy gowns making a cameo on the red carpet next month—and this season, the designer’s offering of Hollywood-worthy dresses was certainly plentiful. For fall, Khan experimented with finding new ways to embellish his frocks with beadwork and sequins, choosing youthful finishing that gave his gala gowns a fun new feel. As always, it was the solid fabrications—in which each crystal or feather is placed just right—that shined through.
If Khan’s opening number were to be assigned to an A-lister, it would definitely be a Young Hollywood star. The bright red suit featured a cropped jacket adorned with full plumage. Fun! Feathers were used consistently as trim this season, lining the bust of pieces like a strapless purple gown with billowy sheer sleeves. Nobody cuts a sequin like Khan, though, and his strongest approach to disco ball dressing came via an ombré V-neck gown, which transitioned from black and champagne sparkles to larger, bright-gold paillettes. His checkerboard mini dress, in sparkling shades of blue and black, also had tinsel-like fringe at the shoulders and along the hemline—which, ahem, is the perfect cocktail dress for dancing the night away at an Oscars after-party. Maybe even with Dua Lipa.
The designer’s appliqué work this season also had updates. Mainly, Khan was feeling for bold color; his long-sleeved, floor-length laces were done in sprightly blues or fuchsias.
A more surprising addition this collection was the small assortment of suiting for men. As leading gents in Hollywood take more risks with their style, Khan had the elevated tailoring options for those who aren’t afraid to make a statement. His black tuxedo jacket with abstract splashes of black sequins felt like just the right amount of boldness, while keeping the overall silhouette timeless. The foray into menswear makes a lot of sense: In Khan’s world, everyone shimmers.
