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
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Posted by BeautyandtheEast on 05-17-2010 | Comments | Share | Filed under: Fashion-Eastas
With two U.S. flags in front of the stage inside a Dearborn restaurant, Arab Americans cheered, danced, and sang into the night Sunday for Rima Fakih of Dearborn—crowned Miss USA in Las Vegas. Fakih, of Lebanese descent, went into the pageant as Miss Michigan. Fakih nearly fell while finishing her walk in her evening gown because of the length of its train, but she made it across the stage without a spill. She is thought to be the first Arab American and Muslim to become Miss USA. Fakih replaces Miss USA 2009 Kristen Dalton and is to represent the U.S. in the 2010 Miss Universe pageant. She gets a one-year lease in a New York apartment with living expenses, an undisclosed salary, and various health, professional and beauty services.
This is historic,” Imad Hamad, regional director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, said Sunday night. “This shows the greatness of America, how everyone can have a chance to make it.”
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Posted by BeautyandtheEast on 05-03-2010 | Comments | Share | Filed under: Fashion-Eastas, Fashion
Check out a new line of Muslim swim suits:
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Posted by BeautyandtheEast on 04-18-2010 | Comments | Share | Filed under: Fashion-Eastas, Fashion
The dress of Muslim women walks a fine line between conservative and chic. In this video clip, Chechnya and Iran, politics affect how much skin one can show. Pakistani fashion designers rebel against Taliban influences while Afghan designer Rabia Z makes stylish clothes that is modest and chic.
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Posted by BeautyandtheEast on 04-07-2010 | Comments | Share | Filed under: Fashion-Eastas, Fashion
When news broke last month that Britain’s “First Lady” Sarah Brown had commissioned four new outfits from Osman Yousefzada, it was confirmation the Afghan-British designer is being taken very seriously. Not only did the Prime Minister’s wife have a front-row seat at Yousefzada’s autumn/winter 2010 catwalk show last month, wearing one of his necklaces; days later, at the Elle Style Awards, she chose a long, navy Osman gown with integral gold collar, which drew uniform approval.
Yousefzada, 36, the son of Afghan immigrants, is a brilliant choice. His draped jersey gowns and sleek, pared-back architectural pieces are worn by Thandie Newton, Dannii Minogue, Anna Friel and Little Boots. And they have been known to inspire Victoria Beckham.
Check out Yousefzada’s Fall/Winter 2010 fashion show finale:
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Posted by BeautyandtheEast on 03-22-2010 | Comments | Share | Filed under: Fashion-Eastas, Fashion
Stylish Islamic fashion trends on the Jakarta, Indonesia runways for 2010:
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Posted by BeautyandtheEast on 02-22-2010 | Comments | Share | Filed under: Fashion-Eastas, Fashion
Stunning! Gorgeous! Breathtaking! Watch highlights from the Naeem Khan Fall 2010 fashion show at Bryant Park in New York City. There are pieces to delight any woman. Which one is your favorite look?
Tags: naeem khan fall 2010
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Posted by BeautyandtheEast on 02-17-2010 | Comments | Share | Filed under: Entertainment, Film/TV, Fashion-Eastas, Beauty
She was cut from last week’s episode of Shear Genius on Bravo for what the judges called a “safe” updo, but Arzo is a talent to watch. Born in Afghanistan, raised in New York City and currently residing in San Francisco, Arzo’s experience includes platform education, traditional hairdressing and editorial work. Arzo has styled the likes of Rose McGowan and Ally Hilfiger. Editorially she has worked with clients that include Bed Bath & Beyond, MTV and Hood Star Magazine. Arzo has owned and operated a hair studio in Pleasanton, California for fifteen years.
Tags: shear genius, bravo, arzo
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Posted by BeautyandtheEast on 02-10-2010 | Comments | Share | Filed under: Fashion-Eastas, Beauty
Born in 1973 in Kabul, Mezghan Hussainy left Afghanistan with her family after the Soviet invasion in 1979. In the U.S., she worked as a dental hygenist and a part-time actress before stumbling into the world of make-up artistry when a friend asked her to work at Robinson’s May in Los Angeles. Her big break came when she was hired as the makeup artist to actor John O’Hurley on the game show, To Tell The Truth. In 2003, she landed a position on the set of American Idol, and is now chief make-up artist to Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell, as well as So You Think You Can Dance and Family Feud. She also launched her own make-up line Me by Mezghan, which has been featured on QVC.
In recent days, Mezghan has been linked to the curmudgeon Simon and it looks like things are getting quite serious. According to The Daily Mail (UK), “She and Cowell enjoyed a chemistry from the start and she would rave to friends about his charisma and how ‘funny’ she found him.” The couple were spotted this weekend as they left the upscale Mr. Chow restaurant in London.
Tags: mezghan hussainy, simon cowell, american idol
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Posted by BeautyandtheEast on 02-03-2010 | Comments | Share | Filed under: Fashion-Eastas, Fashion
In the land of Dubai, where 40% of the worlds luxury labels find a podium, there isn’t a single local label! The UAE’s Retail Explosion has been at the expense of its national brands. Questioning why the very fabric wrapping their inner faith is imported Zahra M, Rabia Z, and Deeya N, struggle to protect their fabric of faith being bleached away by rapid-commercialism in the documentary DoBuy
Tags: dobuy, documentary, dubai, fashion
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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!
