Naeem Khan Bridal Spring 2016

With an international clientele, distribution in 12 countries and the globe-trotting First Lady Michelle Obama as an unofficial brand ambassador, Naeem Khan had travel on his mind for spring brides. He named his gowns after Buenos Aires, Positano, Newport and other dreamy locales, showing an 18-piece collection that nearly screamed “destination wedding.” But Khan wasn’t calling out for the bride-on the beach crowd. His ultraluxe looks included a hand-painted V-neck ivory and French-blue tulle gown, a strapless ivory floral-appliqué lace style with an overlay skirt and an ivory gazar number with an elongated lace bodice.

Save for a short dress with an asymmetrical hem and a sequined tuxedo, both in ivory satin, Khan was all about statement pieces, so much so that he stuck with one song throughout his leisurely, feast-your-eyes show “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” although his version was more James Bond than Carol Channing. Celebrating his 10th year in business, the designer has made elaborate beading a signature statement for many of his red-carpet creations.

He didn’t go light on the beads, sequins or embellishment here either. And his parting look carried a veiled message beyond the one worn on the model’s head: The slim-fitting satin tuxedo was named “San Francisco.” After the show, Khan said it was “totally an endorsement” of same-sex marriage. “I wanted to say, ‘We believe in that, we want to be part of that and we respect that.”