Naeem Khan: Michelle Obama's State Dinner Dress Designer And The Celebrities He's Outfitted (PHOTOS, POLL)

Naeem Khan: yesterday, that name might not have rung a bell for most Americans, but how quickly things change under the Obama administration! When Michelle Obama wore the designer's strapless metallic gown to Tuesday night's state dinner, she introduced another talented dressmaker to her adoring fashion audience. So, uh, who is Naeem Khan?

According to his website, Khan was born in India and grew up "under the watchful eyes of his father and grandfather, both well known throughout the country for designing intricate and luxurious clothing worn by the royal families and other social notables." He moved to the US as a teenager and worked for Halston and Riazee before launching his own label in 2003. He's dressed everyone from Jennifer Lopez and Beyonce to Queen Noor of Jordan and now Michelle Obama.

In an interview with People.com, Khan expressed his excitement over clothing the FLOTUS on such an apt occasion:

"I feel so happy to be a part of this historical event between the two countries where my heart lies. I am relieved to have a job well done and am so honored to have been chosen. This is a Thanksgiving in its truest form for me and one that I will never forget--an American dream coming true."

Padma Lakshmi

Padma Lakshmi in Naeem Khan at a New York Academy of Art benefit on October 7th.

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Comments

[MissStylish]

12:04 PM on 11/30/2009

I love the gold strapless dress on Michelle, she looks so regal. For a look for less version, check out

http://firstladiesstyle.onsugar.com/3081250

[ProudChristian]

08:17 AM on 11/29/2009

Seriously......i dont know why some people are saying michelle is over the top. Shes so simple and cheap, just very animated and colourful and thats why pple notice. Did you ever see what nancy reagan used to wear. She was soooooo elitist, in fact unlike any other first lady. The cost of just one of her outfits i'm sure can buy everything michelle has ever worn.
The woman practically draped herself in jewellery all the time.

[StevesGirl]

12:14 AM on 11/29/2009

His dresses are beautiful.

[Tottenhot]

11:09 PM on 11/28/2009

Her husband is a self-described fan of "redistributive change" and "spreading the wealth around". As such, it is surprising to see such a gross display of excess, when, it is said, he has a relative living in a hut in Kenya, an aunt living in a housing project, and millions of Americans desperate for a humble job.

Even ignoring this apparent hypocrisy, I wonder what the bill was for the designer's efforts, who paid it, and whether China, India, and the rest of the world view these regal affectations as evidence of America's "arrogance".

[StevesGirl]

12:08 AM on 11/29/2009

I'm going to go an assume the dress was a gift much like all designers give gifts to people in the public eye; it is the best press money can buy. I guess now is the time for a first lady to look like a runaway slave. It irks me that so many of you want Michelle to look simple instead of beautiful and glamorous; she represents our country and she should look great. I wonder if you would have said the same thing about one of your precious Bush women.

[larmarch5]

11:47 AM on 11/29/2009

Like they say in Texas: Some people would complain if they wuz hung with a new rope."

[globalcitizenlinda]

07:19 PM on 11/28/2009

for those right wingers and O-haters who are always asking how much of YOUR MONEY The Obamas are spending on clothes, it has been reported by credible media outlets that they spend their own money on thie meal and clothes.

In fact, President Obama refused to use the money allocated to him to re-furnish the White House and he returned it to the Treasury.

President Obama used his own money to furnish their residential quarters and he pays for his own outings except for the transportation and security which are mandated.

I am sure that if it was not such a hassle for the Secret Service, he would travel on regular planes.

Reports of provided by the airline industry indicated that President Obama always travelled coach as a Senator and refused all offers of even an upgrade to business class when offered

[alarmbell]

11:45 PM on 11/29/2009

Thank you for that!
And, didn't Laura Bush buy a China dish set for half a million dollars just before they left the white house? I am curious who paid for that.

[NevaforLeadership]

06:41 PM on 11/28/2009

I like his designs. He understands line.

Hope Michelle uses him more often.

[byla]

10:17 PM on 11/27/2009

Jeez o pete. Did you guys spend this much time on what Nancy Reagan wore? Every one wants to rip Michelle a new one, but you didn't bother with what the other first ladies wore. Get over it, already.

[GYRainforest]

03:55 PM on 11/27/2009

The President and first lady have joined the corporations in outsourcing jobs to India. Why didn't the FLOTUS chose an American designer and kept the cash in the USA? When is she going to wear something that is designed by an African American?

Mr. Khan's dress was fabulous, but I did not like how the FL's shoulders appeared in it. Her back looked very muscular. She should have worn the shawl around her neck or about her shoulders to partially conceal the muscularity. This is weight lifting gone amok.

[jaielaw]

05:04 PM on 11/27/2009

Khan is an American citizen and his company is in New York. The embellishment work on the gown was done in India at his father's workshop, but the dress was constructed here. It's not as if the beading/embroidery business is strong in the U.S., even in New York. To the extent the industry is here, it is prohibitively expensive, and the quality and range of choices usually don't justify the price. Most designers work on such a razor-thin margin, that such choices make a huge difference in whether they stay afloat.

As for wearing African-American designers, Obama wore Tracy Reese in a "People" magazine cover:
http://www.obamastylewatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/people_cover_31909.png

[WillCooney]

11:47 PM on 11/27/2009

Get a life! You don't know what you're talking about when it comes to the designers that Michele Obama has worn and, no one cares what you think of her shoulders. You're simply a hater!

[RockyRacoon]

12:59 AM on 11/27/2009

I would like to know how much money the people working in these factories make, what their working conditions are like and if they recieve any benefits. I wouldn't doubt that they are nothing more than sweat shops and that M.O. is wearing a dress fashioned out of wage slavery at it's worst.
Cheers,
RR

[LadyTee]

07:51 PM on 11/27/2009

RockyRacoon, this is the style section. Did you not read the entire article before looking at the fashions? Hint: Naeem Khan is an American designer. So if you desire answers to the other questions you posed, I suggest you use google.

[UnknownSolider]

12:25 PM on 11/26/2009

I thought they meant New Wu as in New Wu Tang Clan..........darn

[peterbeagle]

11:22 AM on 11/26/2009

memo to Padma Lakshmi: at least for photos, try to remember to put most weight on one leg, and bend the other knee, legs closer together.

[Katie5]

11:50 AM on 11/26/2009

Never knew there was a protocol for standing!

[SPQR1775]

10:20 AM on 11/26/2009

Michelle truly know how to make others light shines. She is an up and coming OPRAH in her own right! CHANGE NEVER LOOK BETTER!

[cplKlyde]

07:42 AM on 11/26/2009

I think he and the comic Paul Rodriquez were seperated at birth.

[Katie5]

02:10 AM on 11/26/2009

All his dresses looked beautiful-I could wear any of them.

[baomike]

12:57 AM on 11/26/2009

Pahdma might have a viable case of "defamation of image".
Gastly.