The Indian Touch

Michelle Obama might have looked like a million dollars in her beige-silver gown at the first state dinner hosted by her husband,US President Barack Obama...

The US First Ladys headline-grabbing dress by Naeem Khan was made at the designers Colaba workshop

Michelle Obama might have looked like a million dollars in her beige-silver gown at the first state dinner hosted by her husband,US President Barack Obama,but its the name of her designer thats got the world media in a frenzy of phone calls and e-mails. Always known for her politically relevant fashion choices (often called populist for pairing pieces from The Gap with designers like Jason Wu and Thakoon),the First Lady took fashion diplomacy to subtler heights wearing a glamorous gown designed by Indian-origin American designer Naeem Khan,for the dinner held in honour of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur.

Older brother of Mumbai-based designer Azeem Khan,Naeem is a name well-known in fashion circles abroad,having designed for celebrities like Beyonce Knowles,Eva Longoria and Jennifer Lopez. He represents the third generation in a family of textile designers and,according to Azeem,has done the family proud. Hes doing very well in the US and its great to see his work on the front page of every paper. Its definitely an honour that he was asked to design for the First Lady and he did it so beautifully and considering the occasion,made it appropriately Indian.

Story continues below this ad

Khan arrived in the US at the age of 20 and soon began apprenticing at renowned fashion house Halston. He launched his own eponymous label only five years ago,which sells out of prestigious stores around the world including Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. In Mumbai,he shares the Colaba workhouse with the rest of his fashion-inclined family. First Lady Obamas dress was designed here as well.

Although Khan does not retail in India at all,he did show a piece from his Spring 2009 collection at Vikram Chatwals Mai Mumbai charity show held at the Lakme Fashion Week in March this year.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:
Mumbai
talk

Loading Taboola...

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds up a map while speaking at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, at U.N. headquarters. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

Amid walkouts, Netanyahu says ‘free the hostages’, asks Hamas to surrender in UN speech

World1 hr ago

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Hamas to disarm and reminded the UN General Assembly of the October 2023 attack. He praised Israel's military efforts against Hamas and other threats, and called for the UN Security Council's involvement. Netanyahu also reassured hostages held by Palestinian militants that they are not forgotten.

View all shorts

Live Blog