Posted by BeautyandtheEast on 09-07-2010 | Comments | Share | Filed under: Entertainment, Film/TV
“Fordson” is a feature length documentary film that follows four talented high school football players from Dearborn, Michigan as they gear up for their big senior year rivalry game during the last ten days of Ramadan, a month when Muslims traditionally fast every day from sunrise to sundown. The story is set against the backdrop of the stunningly beautiful Fordson High School, a public high school built by Henry Ford in 1922, which was once all white, but now boasts a 98% Arab population. As the team readies itself to play its affluent, cross town rival, the adversity faced by a community that is desperately holding onto its Islamic faith, while trying to gain acceptance from their fellow U.S. citizens in post 9-11 America, is unearthed.
Through the eyes of the team, their coaches, and their fans, you get an unprecedented glimpse inside the lives of a community that is home to the largest concentration of Arabs in any city outside of the Middle East, and their determination to hold on to the American Dream.
Tags:
Facebook
Reddit
StumbleUpon
TwitThis
Posted by BeautyandtheEast on 08-31-2010 | Comments | Share | Filed under: Fashion-Eastas, Fashion, Beauty
Read an exclusive interview with Beauty and the East TV’s founder and fashion designer Samira Atash! “Fashion-Easta” (the name of Samira’s upcoming original web fashion/beautyseries):
http://www.illumemag.com/zine/articleDetail.php?Samira-Atash-Fashion-Easta-13264
The fashion world is full of labels named after their designers: Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren, to name a few. But it’s still rare to see a Muslim name on a popular brand of clothing in the west. Regardless, Samira Atash has managed to create two lines of stylish clothing, one of which proudly bears her name.
As a first generation immigrant who’s family moved from Afghanistan at the start of the Russian-Afghan war, Atash understood the value of hard work from a young age and showed promise as an entrepreneur even as a young child. Despite her passion for fashion she listened to her parents and agreed to get a formal education in the far less glamorous field of marketing, but after graduating from university she realized she couldn’t wait any longer and enrolled at the world renowned Parsons School of Design in New York City.
Today, Atash has an eponymous label of “east meets west” fashion and a modest but stylish line of maternity clothing under the label Its A Miracle. She has also recently launched an English speaking video blog called Beauty and the East which aims to unite Middle Eastern and South Asian culture with the West through entertainment and style.
Atash graciously agreed to this exclusive Q&A about her work for ILLUME:
What was the catalyst for you becoming a fashion designer?
Since I was a young girl, fashion has been a strong element in my life. My mother taught me to sew from a young age. I didn’t really think I would become a fashion designer until later in high school, but I didn’t pursue it because at the time, my parents pushed for a traditional education. I completed a 4 year program at GMU and received a B.S. in Marketing. I worked in the corporate world for a while before realizing that I wasn’t happy in it. So, I enrolled myself into Parsons in an intensive program, and launched a self-funded independent label in 2001 (SAMIRA * ATASH), followed by a maternity label in 2003 (It’s A Miracle Maternity).
You have a very strong point of view as a designer, but how do you describe your personal style aesthetic?
Personally, my style can be very classy, feminine, or folksy/artsy. I don’t like to follow trends, I like to make them. I wear colorful prints and beautiful embroideries just as much as I love a simple sheath dress paired with a futuristic jacket. It all depends on my mood. As a business, my collections have definitely evolved over the years, and reflect the many journeys I have been on personally, spiritually and emotionally.
Where do you find your design inspiration?
For the SAMIRA * ATASH line, I started designed evening wear for the masses, but now it has evolved into a “Silk Road Style” label, with inspiration coming from Eastern tribal embroideries and influences. I design clothes for both women and men. For the It’s A Miracle Maternity label, inspiration comes from creating modest and stylish designs that pregnant women need. As a new mom, I now have a better understanding of maternity clothing design that is not only fashionable, but practical.
What do you think women want when it comes to their clothing?
I think it’s different for everyone, but in general, women want to feel beautiful, comfortable and stylish. These days, with the economy the way it is, they also want to buy quality, investment pieces that they can wear for years.
Who are some of your personal favorite designers?
Chanel, Anna Sui, Oscar de la Renta, Marchesa, Catherine Malandrino, Valentino. They have a specific point of view and never go too far from it.
What made you decide to launch a maternity line?
About 7 years ago, I started seeing an untapped market – women who like to look stylish without showing too much skin. I launched a maternity line that incorporated a lot of modest pieces – higher necklines, long sleeves, long hemlines – that did very well with mainstream women, as well as pockets of women that adhere to clothing guidelines, including Muslim, Jewish and Christian. I will be re-launching soon with stylish, modest maternity & nursing pieces that Muslim women will welcome and need. Stay tuned!
What do you think makes your maternity line unique and special compared to the standard styles you see in stores like A Pea in the Pod or Motherhood Maternity?
I have designed many signature pieces that appeal to pregnant women who want stylish, classy, and modest clothes. For example, a line of maternity tees called “Undercover” is cut in a way to appeal to these women and have been a smash hit with our company. A new maternity and nursing collection will be available soon.
What advice would you give to other young women who are interested in pursuing a career in fashion?
Get a lot of technical training, learn the business side of fashion, work with fashion companies to gain valuable experience, and be prepared to work very hard. It’s a tough, competitive industry so you have to have thick skin.
What was the inspiration behind your web tv network Beauty and the East TV?
In addition to fashion, I have experience both in front of and behind the cameras. My passion is creating - fashion, tv, film, music, business, marketing- you name it. Particularly after 9/11, I wanted to be involved in projects that unite the East with West, especially since there are so many misconceptions about the Middle East and Muslims. I truly believe that if we create a strong voice in the arts in entertainment, or create our own media, then we can change the stereotypes that are out there.
So, in 2009, I launched Beauty and the East TV, a hip, English-language web tv network that unites cultures through entertainment. It features popular and emerging actors, musicians, comedians, designers, film-makers, and more - all from diverse religions, backgrounds, and cultures. Positive connections are created, and stereotypes are broken, so the world can see “the beauty of the east”.
This fall and winter, we will be organizing a comedy tour in LA, NYC and D.C. with PlanetPix Media called “FUNATICAL: Taking Comedy to the Extreme!” The tour will include famous Muslim, Jewish and Christian comedians who will laugh at themselves and each other, because the joy of laughter is universal. The goal, of course, is to break stereotypes and unite cultures through comedy. We need that more than ever today.
Tags: Samira Atash, Beauty and the East TV, It's A Miracle Maternity, PlanetPix Media, Funatical Comedy
Facebook
Reddit
StumbleUpon
TwitThis
Posted by BeautyandtheEast on 08-22-2010 | Comments | Share | Filed under: Entertainment, Film/TV
Watch Evan Ross, Nia Long, Danny Glover, Roger Guenveur Smith, Summer Bishil & Dorian Missick in a groundbreaking new film about a an African-American Muslim boy who comes of age against a politically charged 9/11 backdrop, with deep personal and familial traumas to overcome, and a search for identity that must reconcile his own difficult history with his new changed reality.
Tags:
Facebook
Reddit
StumbleUpon
TwitThis
Posted by BeautyandtheEast on 07-27-2010 | Comments | Share | Filed under: Entertainment, Comedy
Watch Beauty and the East TV’s NEW Original Episode- a funny interview with comedians Max Amini, Tehran Ghasri and beat boxer Stevie Soul -hosted by the lovely Mariam Wardak. Learn about Tehran’s half African-American/half Iranian background, Stevie’s disability, and Max’s thoughts about “no Persians in Prince of Persia”.
Tags:
Facebook
Reddit
StumbleUpon
TwitThis
Posted by BeautyandtheEast on 07-21-2010 | Comments | Share | Filed under: Entertainment, Music, Comedy
Beauty and the East TV’s coverage of comedian Max Amini’s backstage rap with performers Ne Means, Stevie Soul, and Tehran Ghasri
Tags: Max Amini, Ne Means, Stevie Soul, Tehran Ghasri, Exotic Imports, Beauty and the East TV, Mariam Wardak, Samira Atash, Alina Atash
Facebook
Reddit
StumbleUpon
TwitThis
Posted by BeautyandtheEast on 07-20-2010 | Comments | Share | Filed under: Entertainment, Film/TV
Tags:
Facebook
Reddit
StumbleUpon
TwitThis
Posted by BeautyandtheEast on 07-09-2010 | Comments | Share | Filed under: Entertainment, Film/TV
An afternoon surprise forces two friends to make the best of a bad situation. Afghan is an award-winning short film about hate crimes, humour and friendship, starring Pardis Parker (Halifax Comedy Festival) and Mark Little (Picnicface).
Tags:
Facebook
Reddit
StumbleUpon
TwitThis
Posted by BeautyandtheEast on 06-25-2010 | Comments | Share | Filed under:
TO APPLY: http://www.higherwork.com
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: ADVISORY POSITIONS IN AFGHANISTAN
JOB CODE: (HW-CTAP-SO1)
Base of Operations: Kabul, Afghanistan
Application Close Date: June 30, 2010 (new positions to become available)
The Government of Afghanistan, with the support of international donors, has established a program to create stronger government institutions with more effective structures, processes and skilled personnel. Afghan diaspora are being sought to serve in key advisory positions with Afghan government institutions in a wide range of fields. Candidates must be of Afghan origin and/or descent, speak one of the major national languages of Afghanistan, understand the culture, and possess the technical and managerial ability to enhance Ministries and agencies’ capabilities. This provides for a unique opportunity for Afghan diaspora to work towards the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
Salary: Average salary of $120,000 per annum, plus allowances
Accommodations: Security-cleared commercial guesthouses - stipend provided to live in accommodations of candidate’s choice
Transportation: Allowance provided – with vetted transportation companies
Benefits and Leave: CTAP offers a competitive benefits package
Duration: Minimum one year (with possibility of renewal)
TO APPLY: http://www.higherwork.com
Tags:
Facebook
Reddit
StumbleUpon
TwitThis
Posted by BeautyandtheEast on 06-25-2010 | Comments | Share | Filed under: Entertainment, Music
The theme song to the 2010’s World Cup is performed by a skinny Somali singer in baggy pants and a fedora, the voice of the biggest global marketing campaign ever undertaken by the world’s most iconic brand, Coca-Cola. The singer in the Coke ads is K’Naan, a former refugee from one of the poorest, most violent cities on earth. And all across the globe, people are humming the irresistible chorus to his official World Cup song, “Wavin’ Flag”. The road to global stardom has had many twists and turns, a hip-hop fairytale even Hollywood would shy away from. K’Naan has lived through civil war, seen friends shot dead before his eyes, spent months in jail, been beaten up by bouncers in a Swedish nightclub. And now he’s travelling the world in Coca-Cola’s World Cup jet, singing about unity and celebration.
So why did a multinational soft drinks conglomerate choose a third-world rebel icon to front its campaign? A practising Muslim who lived the horror of war as a boy and who raps against injustice and oppression?
The answer lies in Africa, the world’s last emerging market, where music and soccer have huge grassroots appeal—and massive marketing potential. Coke wanted a developing-world star, a modern-day Bob Marley with street cred. They found him in K’Naan.
Tags:
Facebook
Reddit
StumbleUpon
TwitThis
Posted by BeautyandtheEast on 06-11-2010 | Comments | Share | Filed under: Entertainment, Music
Eastern Arts dancer Jamie Sours dances “Afghan stop style”, a traditional dance from the Logar province:
Tags: jamie sours, eastern arts, afghan logari dance
Facebook
Reddit
StumbleUpon
TwitThis
Are you a Muslim/Middle-Eastern/South Asian actor, musician, singer, comedian, designer, film-maker, journalist/host, or have a special story? Show us what you got!
