M.A.R.A.

Doo Ri’s Spring 2012 jersey drapery is unparalleled. That low cut, grey, Greek revival dress with the high slit paired with gold wedges is perfect for a warm spring NY night. And I could just roll around in purple anytime. I mean. It’s purple. That is all.

Fall 2011. Drapery, Ruffles, and Layers, oh my!!! Do you see those layers of wool beautifully ruffled and draped?!? The hourglass wool maxi dress whose grey is juxtaposed against a pseudo skin color of tan?!? The black netting down the front and at the sides?!? And that asymmetrical front to back dress with lace up suede boots. Goodness. Take another look if you fail to see the artistry in every detail of these pieces.

Korean American Doo Ri worked for Geoffrey Beene for six years and was appointed Head Designer. Ri started her own company in 2001 in the basement of her parents’ dry cleaning business. More on the talented Doo Ri.

Her past collections are equally delicious, still wearable, an inspiration, and thus definitely a must see. Peplum shorts and drapery. Swoon.

Spring 2010

Resort 2008

Photos are from nymag and doo ri
Other Keywords: korean american designers, famous asians, asian designers, asian female designers, resort collection, spring 2010, fall 2011, drapery, draping, draped dresses

Richard Chai’s Fall 2011 collection.
(Note: Asian models Ming Xi (top row, middle) and Liu Wen (bottom row, 1st from left)

I chose to collage the ensembles that look comfortable, are work-appropriate, and of course, exude nyc-style savvy. Also, the cut and lines provide structure and shape, striking a balance with the 80’s refreshed looseness of the coats, trousers, and long skirts.

More on Richard Chai: Label Overview, Richard Chai for Target, Wiki
The Korean American designer extraordinaire.

Other Keywords: korean american fashion designers, famous koreans, male fashion designers, nyc chic, fall 2011 collection, grey wool, black, loose, structured, zipper, 80’s donna karan throwback, nyc fashion week, new york city fashion week

Andrew Garcia. American Idol Season 9 early favorite. Not surprised. His acoustic rendition of Paula Adul’s Straight Up gave me chills and made me pretty emotional. Dayum.

Simon: “The only person who’s walked through today who I genuinley believe is a good singer…a genuinely, genuinely, good, good singer…and I can tell you like music, it was a good choice…it’s a very difficult song to sing in this kind of situation…I think you’re a really, really good singer, Andrew, and I’m glad I met you…” Note: Simon repeats to emphasize.

Though not confirmed on any primary sources (My Space or Idol site), my best guess is that Garcia is of Hispanic descent, while his girlfriend/baby mama, Christine Conception, is of Filipino descent. Let’s see if factual info emerges anywhere…anyone want to ask them on twitter?

Anyhooo…check Garcia’s Idol audition below, which includes clips and stills of his family, his cutie son, Caeland (pretty cool name, by the whhey), and a quick clip of his Christine. He samples Maroon 5’s Sunday Morning.

Here’s a SICK Fugees, MJ and more medley with Garcia on guitar and Lydia Paek (who’s also been circulating on the interwebz. She is a dancer, as well as a singer, and is of Korean descent.) on vocals.

Here’s Garcia doing Fireflies as a duet with his girlfriend, baby mama, Christine Conception.

Garcia’s MySpace, Twitter; Conception’s MySpace
Other Keywords: Andrew Garcia ethnicity, American Idol season 9, christine conception, baby mama, girlfriend, filipino, mexican, korean

Daniel Dae Kim stays on the island for Hawaii Five-O remake

Congrats!!! to Korean talent (and hottie) Daniel Dae Kim, who plays Jin Kwon on ABC’s hit show Lost, for landing one of the leading roles in CBS’ remake of the groovy classic Hawaii Five-O. Kim will play Detective Chin Ho Kelly while Moonlight star Alex O’Loughlin continues to be in talks for the part of Detective Steve McGarrett.

Kim’s POV on Asians in acting per the latest issue of DaMan magazine:

“I take a little bit of pride in that I don’t feel like I’ve taken any roles that I regret in terms of cultural representation…I’ve never done the stereotypicalAsian nerd or anything like that. But that’s not to say that there isn’t that kind of dynamic in Hollywood. There is definitely a categorization of Asian males, in particular. What I mean to say is though the roles might not be overtly offensive, they are definitely secondary and exist only to serve another character. For instance, a lot of roles that I have played have been in support of the leads and I was there to deliver exposition. They’re not stereotypical roles but they are representative of a ceiling that a lot of us face.”

The remake features writers and “Fringe” co-creators Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci and “CSI: NY” executive producer/co-showrunner Peter Lenkov.

THR reports that Kim is the “first actor from the show’s core cast to book a new series project this pilot season as the ABC mystery drama heads to its May finale.” The 2nd episode of this 6th and FINAL (sigh) season airs tonight on ABC @ 9pmET.

More Info: Daniel Dae Kim on IMDB, Wiki, Official Website
Other Keywords: famous asians, famous asian actors, famous koreans, korean americans, korean actors, hawaii 5, lost final season, 6th season, jj abrams, jin kwon

Chanel Iman

is an American fashion model of Korean and African American descent who graces the December 2009 cover of Prestige magazine (Indonesia).

At a mere 19 years old (she turns 20 tomorrow, November 30…Happy Birthday!) Chanel Iman is propelled to top model status booking nine runways at the Spring 2010 Fashion Week in Milan (held September 2009) including Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, and Versace. She also walked the Victoria’s Secret runway in November 2009.

Named after pioneer designer, Coco Chanel, the fiery 5’10”, size 2, cheeseburger lover struts by her own rules having her brother imprint a few tattoos on her neck and ring finger without informing her agency.

Since singing with her first and only agency Ford Models in 2006, she has booked with Issey Miyake, Marc Jacobs, Valentino, Dsquared, Hermès, Michael Kors, Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren, Anna Sui, Diane von Fürstenberg, Vera Wang, Jean Paul Gaultier and Stella McCartney and has appeared in advertising campaigns for Bottega Veneta, GAP, Victoria’s Secret Pink, and United Colors of Benetton.

Keywords: Asian models, Asian African American models, blasian models, black, Victoria’s Secret models, VS runway, Victoria’s Secret 2009
Sources, info, & more photos can be found: Wiki, My Space, NYPost, JustJared, her Twitter
Photos: JustJared, MoeJ, BrownSista

AMERIE

Her 4th album, In Love & War, dropped TODAY, November 3rd

See the you tube video for the Heard ‘Em All single from her new album

Amerie Mi Marie Rogers is a two-time Grammy nominated singer, songwriter, producer, and actress, born January 12, 1980 in Fitchburg, Mass to a Korean mother and Africa-American father. She debuted her first album, All I Have, in 2002. [1, 2]

Check out her song Gotta Work in the video below. PERFECT for a workout playlist. Really gets ya goin.

[via Daily Motion]

Photos: Top, album cover
Keywords: Asian and African American hotties, Blasian, Black Asian
Other: Amerie’s Official Website, Amerie’s IMDB

David Chang

is the chef/owner of the rave reviewed NYC Momofuku eateries Noodle Bar, Ko and Ssäm Bar, Milk Bar, and Ma Peche in New York City. Food & Wine touts Chang as having “sparked a craze for bar dining and snagged every award and accolade in the process” further adding that the young chef serves “hearty, inventive Asian-inspired food at great prices”.

The New York Times and New York Magazine food critics agree and patron review sites such as Yelp and Urban Spoon branded Chang’s restaurants with excellent reviews. Alas with any sought-after restaurant in NYC serving delicious foods at affordable prices, the wait could seem interminable. Be patient and nimble, says the New York Times, and be forewarned.

You could try making the recommended Ramen and Korean BBQ stuffed pork buns yourself since Chang’s

Momofuku cookbook is being released today, October 27th

Available on Amazon. Also see him as a guest on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon tonight at 12:30am/ET on NBC.

The highly recommended pork ramen dish from Chang’s Momofuku Noodle Bar

Born Aug 5, 1977 Chang’s descent is not stated anywhere, though Wiki tags his profile with “Korean-American”. Chang majored in religious studies at Trinity College and later trained at the French Culinary Institute. More about Chang on Wiki, an interview with Food & Wine, WSJ review of his cookbook.

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Keywords: Korean American chef, Momofuku restaurants, chic noodle bars

Liz Cho

co-anchors WABC’s weeknight Eyewitness News at 6pm and 11pm. Before joining the nightly newscast in 2003, Cho was the NYC based anchor for ABC News’ “World News Now” and was a correspondent for “World News Tonight”, “Nightline”, and “Good Morning America”.

Born on December 19, 1970, Cho is of Korean and Jewish American descent, and lives with her husband and child in Manhattan. More on Cho on Wiki and her Eyewitness News profile.

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Keywords: Asian news anchor, ABC anchor with Bill Ritter, Famous Asians in media
Photos: 1, 2

★ M.A.R.A.★