Designer Interview

Naeem Khan targets fashion-conscious brides with glamorous new wedding gown collection

Given the lavish nature of his designs, it's no surprise that Naeem Khan has expanded into the bridal business, offering gowns with floral deco ribbon appliqué, geometric crystal beading and three-dimensional handmade flowers for that special wedding day.

Khan is busy working on his bridal collection for spring/summer 2015, which he just debuted in New York. Via email, Khan talked about the differences in designing for a bride, how it has affected his ready-to-wear line and what's next.

CultureMap: Why did you decide to expand into the bridal business?

Naeem Khan: I was being asked for a bridal collection constantly by the stores. It was an easy transition, since glamour comes naturally to me, and I have been making wedding dresses for private clients for years. I wanted to finally make them available to more women.

CM: What should your fans expect from this inaugural bridal collection?

NK: They should expect elegance and couture. My techniques are very elegant, yet in simple silhouettes for a fashion-conscious bride.

CM: How does designing a bridal gown differ from designing your ready-to-wear collection?

NK: In my case there is not a huge difference. My bridal collection is designed for the same, once-in-a-lifetime, red-carpet moment with the best craftsmanship and modern cuts to make a bride relevant to today’s fashion.

CM: What are the similarities?

NK: Both are glamorous, with beautiful hand craftsmanship and modern cuts.

CM: Style.com surmised that launching a bridal collection has given you the freedom to design a sultrier ready-to-wear collection. Do you agree or disagree?

NK: I am learning a lot from designing a bridal collection, and I expect that’s reflected in my ready-to-wear line.

CM: Tell us about your spring/summer 2015 bridal presentation.

NK: I am going very glamorous this season. There are certain styles that are over-the-top and handcrafted with new techniques. I want the Naeem Khan bride to have a moment that she will remember for the rest of her life.

CM: How do you plan to expand the collection?

NK: I have all the intentions of expanding my bridal collections in various price categories as well as adding cocktail dresses. It’s all a study, and there is much to be developed.

The Majorca wedding gown from the Naeem Khan bridal collection.

Naeem Khan Bridal Collection trunk show at Joan Pillow Bridal Salon April 2014 MAJORCA

Photo by © Dan and Corina Lecca

The Majorca wedding gown from the Naeem Khan bridal collection.

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Burger News

Hamburger Mary's brings sassy burgers and drag show fun to Dallas

popmenucloud.com

Burger from Hamburger Mary's

A burger concept known for its "flamboyant" dining experience is coming to Dallas: Hamburger Mary’s, which serves "burgers with a side of sass," is opening a location on Cedars Spring Road, specifically the Illume building at 4123 Cedar Springs Rd. #101.

According to owner and franchisee Arthur Hood, the restaurant will open in early June, ideally in time for Dallas Pride weekend.

"HV Entertainment and Hamburger Mary’s look forward to bringing this internationally-loved franchise to the Dallas community and the Oak Lawn neighborhood," Hood says in a statement.

“Since its inception, Hamburger Mary’s has served as a safe haven for both employees and customers alike in the LGBTQIA+ community, and that tradition will proudly continue at the Dallas location,” he says.

Hamburger Mary’s was founded in 1972 in San Francisco as a bar & grill meets drag show, with many (if not all) of the servers in drag. The popularity of the concept has ebbed and flowed over the years, including a previous location in Dallas at 4140 Lemmon Ave. which closed more than a decade ago.

But with drag shows currently a target among conservatives, there's been a surge of support from the other side, and there are now 13 Hamburger Mary's locations across the country, in cities including Denver and Houston.

Along with the burgers comes nightly entertainment such as "Dining with the Divas" drag shows, charity "HamBingo Mary’s," "Mary-Oke Karaoke" and trivia nights.

Much of the entertainment at the Dallas location will be coordinated and hosted by local drag legend Danny Lee Cabrera, stage name Liquor Mini, who is also a flight attendant and lead for the Fly Queens, a group of drag queens who travel the world to entertain.

Hood and his partner Erwing Villanueva own Dallas-based HV Entertainment, which operates entertainment venues across the U.S. including restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.

"I remember visiting the Dallas location when it was open, and we've visited other locations on trips out of town," Hood says. "Each location has a little leeway for individuality. I thought would be a welcome addition to Dallas, and it also fits the neighborhood which is growing and changing with more people living nearby."

While a big part of the appeal is surely that it's a destination "for open-minded people," it's also, at heart, a bar and grill with a big menu ranging from burgers to appetizers to salads, and entrees, as well as a full bar with craft beer and cocktails.

The exact menu changes from location to location but staples include basics like wings, nachos, sandwiches, with up to 16 burger options.

Still, even the menu offers a few cheeky asides: Nachos are called "Macho Mary Nachos," the spinach-artichoke dip is "Rainbow Dip," and the mac & cheese is dubbed "Mary Mac & Cheese Balls."

burgers openings