★ M.A.R.A.★

Naeem Khan

designed the stunning dress that First Lady Michelle Obama wore to the Administration’s first White House state dinner on November 24, 2009.  The one-of-a-kind handmade gold strapless gown adorned with sterling silver-plated appliqués took more than four weeks to make and more than 40 people to make it, according to Khan in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. 

That the event celebrated the relationship between the United States and India, where Khan was born, made the honor even more poignant for Khan.

“Why it was so important, apart from it being our First Lady, was the coming together of India and America, which is me…I was so happy I was here with my kids and my wife. It was an amazing moment to share. My heart was leaping.”

Born May 21, 1958 Khan “cultivated his knowledge of textiles growing up under the watchful eyes of his father and grandfather, both well known throughout the country for designing luxurious and intricate clothing worn by the royal families and other social notables.”  Khan moved to the United States at 20 years old and apprenticed with the legendary fashion house, Halston. 

Khan launched his eponymous collection “consisting of impeccably tailored cocktail suits, embroidered caftans and glamorous dresses.  His gowns are often embellished with beading, mirrors, and other specialy treatments that are distinctive to the label.  The designer’s loyal fanbase ranges from megastars such as Jennifer Lopez and Beyonce to socialites and royalty like Queen Noor of Jordan.”  Khan is available in 100 stores worldwide including Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Neiman Marcus. 


Khan Spring 2010



Other Keywords: Michelle Obama first state dinner dress designer, famous asian fashion designers
Other Sources: WSJ, Wiki, Naeem Khan website
Photos:  Khan portraits, State Dinner

Jay Sean

is a British singer, songwriter, rapper, beat-boxer, and record producer.  He was born Kamaljit Singh Jhooti, March 28, 1981 in Hounslow, West London, England to Punjabi Sikh immigrants from India.  His first album, Me Against Myself (2004), sold more than 2 million copies in India and his second album, My Own Way (2008), topped the UK R&B chart.

His single, Down, was released in the US in May 2009 and topped the Billboard Hot 100.  He became the first solo artist of Asian origin to do so.  Click here for the video.

Sean’s 3rd album, All or Nothing, drops in the US Monday, Nov 23rd!!!

Other fun facts:  (More from Wiki)
-At 11 years old. he and his cousin formed a hip hop duo called “Compulsive Disorder”
-He was enrolled in medical school before he dropped out in 2003 to pursue a singing career
-“Sean” is derived from the punjabi “Shaan” which means shining star

See Sean perform at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Nov 26

See other scheduled performers

See Related Posts below “Permalink”
Keywords: Jay Sean drops album Nov 23, Jay Sean All or Nothing, first asian to top billboard 100, guy who sings down, indian guy who sings down, what is jay sean’s ethnicity, jay sean in the thanksgiving day parade 2009, jay sean twitter
Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Thanks to Betty G.K. for the referral!

[above and more photos via]

Padma Lakshmi

October 1, 2009 - The gorgeous Indian model, turned actress, turned author and Emmy-nominated co-host of cooking show, Top Chef, confirmed today that she is pregnant with her first child.  (The father has not been revealed.)   

Read the jaw dropping story about how she got that 7 inch scar that runs between her elbow and shoulder here.  All I’ll say is that it happened when she was 14 and involved being airborne, a tree, and the jaws of life…

Lakshmi was born in Madras, now Chennai (Tamil Nadu) on September 1, 1970,  and married Salman Rushdie, the author of the controversial, Satanic Verses, in 2004 and divorced after 3 years.  More on Lakshmi’s career and life on Wiki and IMDB.

famousfilipinos: (originally posted September 24, 2009)

Mindy Kaling

is a damn FUNNY woman.  She currently stars as Kelly Kapoor on the Emmy-award winning, Ricky Gervais executive-produced, NBC hit show, The Office, which also stars Steve Carrell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, and Jenna Fischer among a cast of hilarious and talented comedians.  Kaling also co-executive produces and writes many of the show’s episodes.  [More 2009 Emmy pics of Mindy Kaling here]

Vera Mindy Chokalingam was born June 24, 1979 in Cambridge, Mass to Tamil Hindu parents from India. She attended a private high-school and subsequently graduated from Dartmouth College in 2001. 

In May 2009, NBC signed a 7-figure contract with Kaling to develop and star in a new comedy while continuing to write, produce and star in The Office.  This is only 5 years after first being hired to write for the show. 

Named one of the Top 10 Funniest Actresses in Hollywood by Entertainment Weekly in April 2009, Kaling’s success trajectory is not only enviable, but also, and more importantly, at least as I see it, encouraging.  Female, Minority, 7 figure deal with a major network, string of successful movies, and starring and producing hit prime time tv shows all by the age of 30.  PHENOMENAL!  ROCK IT KALING…

More interesting stories about how Kaling first got her break to star in The Office and how her character was developed here.  A list of her works can be seen on her IMDB file.  She also has a blog where she posts photos and talks about things she buys that she likes…aptly named “things i bought that i like”.

The new season of The Office premiered on NBC,
Thursday, September 17th, 9pm