Naeem Khan Settles Suit With Ex-Creative Director

Source: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images North America

Naeem Khan, an Indian-born American fashion designer who has dressed Michelle Obama, Lady Gagga, Eva Longoria, Beyonce and many other starlets, found himself in a dispute with his former creative director, Lionel Geneste.  Geneste worked for Khan from 2003 to 2006 and at Givenchy before that.  The ex-creative director is seeking $200,000 in unpaid commission claiming breach of contract.  Khan claims Geneste was fired because he discovered Geneste committed "identity theft" by using his boyfriend's social security number.  Khan gave Geneste 18 months to clear up the situation before letting him go.  The case may seem pretty cut and dry but not so, there was much dirty laundry to be aired during the trial.

Geneste's attorney called character witnesses to discredit Khan, claiming that Khan used cocaine, was manic, caused an ex-executive assistant to be terrified of him, tried to gift fake Hermes Birkin bag to a Neiman Marcus buyer, etc, etc.  Other witnesses claimed that Khan only rose to popularity because of Geneste who made Khan's clothing desirable and younger. Who knew a breach of contract claim could be so interesting?? 

In the end, the lawsuit settled for $125,000 today with 75 percent payment due in one week. One wonders what else would have came out had the lawsuit not been settled.  Geneste said the matter was settled "because there were a lot of other things that were going to come out that were not pretty."  On the contrary, Khan had other things to focus on, "The thing is, I have my collection to show Sept. 10. I want this to be over with.”

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WWD (subscription red'q): Naeem Khan Settles Suit

Vogue UK: Naeem Khan Goes To Court

NY Post: ‘Gown’ and dirty $uit: Socialite rips designer Khan