Naeem Khan is the man who dresses phenomenal women like First Lady Michelle Obama, Queen Noor of Jordan, Beyoncé, JLo and Catherine, Princess of Wales.
When, in the late '70's he moved to the United States from India, he apprenticed for legendary American designer Halston, a period in time about which Khan admits: "My knowledge of fashion and lifestyle is much influenced by my time with Halston… as a designer you have to be aware of the various arts, travels, cinema, museums, culture and geography in order to be a world recognized brand."
So it is no surprise that the iconic designer has once again been a pioneer, this time crossing into MENA borders with his latest collection. For the first time in Egypt, on December 16th, Khan unveiled his sensational Spring 2023 fashion show as the first event to take part in the launch of LMD’s Cairo Design District (CDD) located in One Ninety. Leading real estate development company, LMD, hosted the show in the heart of New Cairo this December as a memorable glimpse of the anticipated CDD launch. The first design district, CDD is set to bring together top-notch worldwide fashion houses and international established designers to create an ecosystem of culture, design, and fashion.
The fashion show included some of the most locally and regionally influential guests to witness Naeem Khan’s spectacular Spring 23 collection. The setting was studded by numerous Ancient Egyptian elements that highly perfected the marriage between fashion and historically rich culture, from gold and brass objects to light and shadow play that emulated ancient temple paintings -- including a pyramid in the middle of the catwalk.
The attendees walked through a majestic pharaonic temple to the runway area surrounded by lotus flower patterns. On the catwalk, Naeem Khan's designs exuded elegance and the name of this season's collection is Jardin de nuit -- a garden at night. Blooming flowers, luscious gardens, life, and happiness were all represented by the beautiful, elegant and luxurious garments.
Cairo has become a hub for elegance, in film as well as in fashion. The recent Cairo International Film Festival brought together international celebrities as well as luminaries from the healthy Egyptian film scene, on daily red carpets that felt not only glamorous but real, unforced. During the recent Red Sea IFF, Egyptian celebrities like actress and UN Ambassador Salma Abu Deif displayed a great sense of style, by wearing Naeem Khan's designs to galas and parties.
The pieces evoked a sense of exuberance by including a selection of daywear, cocktail, and evening wear in a color palette of blue and white, cream, rich greens, black and white, and metallics. The models looked equally powerful and playful in floral tulle, ruched skirts, lace capes, and embroidered ballgowns. Guests present felt that the event even went beyond fashion. It was the foreshadowing of an artistic and cultural metamorphosis that has surely not only paid tribute to the luxury fashion industry in Egypt, but also Naeem Khan’s global influence. Khan disclosed his thoughts on his fascinating participation in the luxury fashion scene in Egypt: “As Egypt moves into the world of luxury high fashion, we are proud to be a part of its historic launch of Cairo Design District (CDD) at One Ninety by LMD”. This December in Egypt, an eternal exhilarating journey of innovation and inspiration truly been signaled.
Naeem Khan’s Spring 2023 fashion show is the sequential inauguration of the first and only design district in Egypt, Cairo Design District (CDD). On the grounds of One Ninety, CDD is aimed to act as a creative neighborhood focusing on global design that embraces world class luxury fashion brands, exquisite Arts & Culture galleries, new takes on culinary experiences, next level contemporary office spaces, entertainment arena, and a world class hospitality. It is a space that nurtures emerging creatives and designers in the Middle East.
The launch comprises of a series of events including a masterclass, led by the designer Naeem Khan himself, welcoming exceptional Egyptian designers and creatives, a trunk show, and most remarkably a fashion show. Engineer Amr Sultan, founder, partner, and chief executive officer of LMD, utilizes his unprecedented management experience to spark a cultural revolution by hosting CDD’s launch’s unraveling events.
LMD was established in 2007 as a first-rate real estate developer. Its profile encompasses projects with a total value of EGP 50 bn. The company’s developments go beyond the Egyptian borders, as the penetrated markets in Dubai and Barcelona with a total of 5,000 units covering 6 million m2, including its Egyptian residential, hospitality, administrative and commercial ventures in Cairo, Sharm El Sheikh, and North Coast.
All images courtesy of LMD, used with permission.
