M.A.R.A.

Jason Wu

Born September 28, 1982 in Taipei Taiwan to Chinese parents, the 27 year-old Vancouver, Canada raised (after 9 yo) Manhattan based fashion designer shot to global status when Michelle Obama wore his ivory silk-chiffon creation at the Presidential Inaugural Ball January 20, 2009.

Michelle Obama had already worn one of his designs for a short appearance in a Barbara Walters Special with the President, which aired November 26, 2008. The first lady has since subsequently worn many of Wu’s designs.

More of Michelle Obama in Jason Wu

More fun facts about Jason Wu:

Started his own fashion line in 2006 with family help and savings
Also holds the position of Creative Director for Fashion Royalty, a line of designer dolls sold at F.A.O. Schwartz for $70-$400
His savings include those from the above job, in which he started as a freelance fashion designer at age 16
Wu’s dresses are sold at Bergdorf Goodman
Expected 2009 sales: $4 million (no update since NYTimes report 1/2009)
His mother sometimes drove him to bridal stores so he could make sketches of the gowns in the windows
Began experimenting with fashion by using dolls as mannequins at 9 yo
Spent his senior year of high school in France
Left after 3.5 years at Parsons to intern with Narciso Rodriguez
His boyfriend, Gustavo Rangel, also manages the company’s finances
The Inaugural Ball dress that Michelle Obama wore and Wu designed is now at the Smithsonian

From Wu’s Fall 2009 Collection…

From Wu’s Spring 2010 Collection…

From Wu’s Pre-Fall 2010 Collection…

Other Keywords: famous asians, famous asian fashion designers, michelle obama in jason wu at the inaugural ball
Sources: WWD, NYTimes
More Info: Wiki, Jason Wu Website
Portrait photo

Michelle Obama in Jason Wu

Barbara Walters Special

Barbara Walters Special, aired November 26, 2008 - Michelle Obama in a $3,510 raw silk dress with hand-embroidered rosettes (which were “florets with French knots” per Jason Wu). Embroidery took 100 hours of labor. Mrs. Obama paid for the dress. [Photos and info via WSJ]

Inaugural Ball

Inaugural (Home State) Ball, January 20, 2009 - “The gown [was] made especially for the first lady [and] is made of ivory silk chiffon, embellished with organza and Swarovski crystal rhinestones and silver thread embroidery, according to one of Wu’s publicists. Wu told CNN he didn’t know that she had chosen his gown until her first ball appearance Tuesday night.” Following tradition, the gown was donated to the Smithsonian. [Photos in series via getty images; info via cnn]

How AWESOME are these moments with Michelle and Barack Obama?

Vogue Cover

March 2009 Vogue Cover - Michelle Obama in a sleeveless magenta silk dress by Jason Wu. Michelle Obama is only the second first lady to appear on the cover of Vogue. The first was Hilary Clinton in 1998. [Photo by Annie Liebowitz for Vogue; info via WSJ]

Arriving in London for the G20 Summit

First Official European Trip, London Arrival March 31, 2009 - Michelle Obama in a chartreuse (or canary yellow) silk crepe short-sleeved Jason Wu dress under a Michael Kors black jacket cinched by an Azediene Alaia black belt, which the President apparently calls the “Star Wars belt”. [Photo via AP/Time; Info via Chicago Tribune, BBC, and Time]

Arrival at Buckingham Palace

Arrival at Buckingham Palace, April 1, 2009 - Michelle Obama wore a Jason Wu Duchess Satin Opera Coat [Photos via Huff Post, Mrs O; Info via Chicago Tribune and Mrs. O]

Royal Opera House, London

London’s Royal Opera House, April 2, 2009 - Michelle Obama in a teal, full-skirted Jason Wu dress under a Junya Watanabe argyle cardigan posing with UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s wife, Sarah. [Photos via Huff Post; Info via Huff Post and Mrs. O]

Who is Jason Wu?

Other Keywords: Michelle Obama in Jason Wu, United States First Lady, American President’s wife, President Obama’s wife, Mrs. Obama, barbara wlaters special, inaugural ball, arriving, arrival in london, g20 summit, first official european tour, visit, buckingham palace, queen elizabeth, royal opera house, first ladies, jason wu, famous asians, famous asian, famous chinese, designer, fashion designer, asian fashion designers, taipei, taiwan, chinese, jason wu designs, creations

Vivienne Tam

is a Chinese American fashion designer known for her East-meets-West polish, clean lines, Asian prints, rich color sense, and facility with beading … and has PRIZES & GOODIES for you at her Lace & Sequins Holiday Cocktail party! Everything is up to 60% OFF! (per an email from the marketing coordinator). All you have to do is RSVP by NOON 12pm, Tuesday, December 22nd.

***See invite below***

[via]

Vivienne Tam SOHO store with pieces from her Fall 2009 collection [1, 2]

Some of her gorgeous and delicious pieces, Spring 2010 RTW collection [via]
Will be available Jan/Feb 2010. Will update when Marketing informs me of trunk show info.

Other Quick facts about Vivienne Tam:

Born November 28, 1957 in Guangzhou, China
Launched eponymous line in 1994
Designed East Wind Code for 9 years prior to her own line
Saks, Neiman, Bloomies (among many others) carry her clothing in the U.S.
Clothing also carried in stores worlwide
The Met, Andy Warhol, and FIT museums display her pieces
CFDA Nominated for Perry Ellis Award for womenswear in 1998
Co-authored China Chic with Martha Huang
Launched Red and Jade lines in 2007
Designed Gramercy Park Hotel restaurant staff uniforms in 2007
Design deal with HP in 2008 (see HP product placement in her photo above)

Other Keywords: famous asians, famous asian fashion designers, holiday party, NYC SOHO store, Vivienne Tam ethnicity, HP laptop design, Asiance Magazine invite Vivienne Tam holiday lace and sequins party, meet & greet, goody bags, raffle prize to Vivienne Tam’s Fall 2010 Runway fashion show at Bryant Park, RSVP!
Sources & More Info: Wiki, NYMag
Profile photo

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

Liu Wen

Most recently became the first Chinese (or non-mixed Asian) model to strut the Victoria’s Secret catwalk. This Victoria’s Secret 2009 Fashion Show airs on CBS tonight Dec 1st @ 10pmET/9c. (A total of 3 mixed and non-mixed Asians heat up the runway tonight…post coming up!)

Per Wiki:

Liu Wen was born January 27, 1988, in Yongzhou, a city in the Hunan Province of China.

Wen started her modeling career in 2005,^[3] when she entered the New Silk Road World Model Contest, a contest previously won by international covergirl Du Juan. Though she didn’t win, she began working after the contest. She became a national success when she landed the cover of Chinese FHM in the beginning her career.^[3] She then started working for top Chinese fashion magazines like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.^[3]

In September 2007, Liu caught the eye of the international fashion industry when she shot a Cosmo editorial styled as designer like Karl Lagerfeld and Viktor and Rolf^[1]^[3], and later appeared on the cover. She then was ushered to Paris in 2008, and signed with Marilyn Agency.^[3]

In February of the same year, she appeared in four editorials for Chinese Vogue.^[3] She debuted on the international runways in the same month, closing the fall Trussardi show in Milan, and also walked for Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Hermès.^[2]

For the Spring 2009 season, she appeared in seven major campaigns^[4], including DKNY Jeans, The GAP, and cKone.^[4]

In 2009, Liu Wen became the first ever Chinese or non-mixed far east model to walk the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.^[5]

More pics of Liu Wen in NYMag

Keywords: Asian Models, Famous asian models, chinese models, first asian chinese model in victoria’s secret runway
Other Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4

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

Jimmy Choo for H&M SOLD OUT in NYC!

People were camped outside H&Ms in five NYC locations starting at 9pm Friday the 13th for a chance at one of 160 wristbands that would allow 10 minutes in the shoe area and two hours of shoes, bags, and accessories shopping before the rest of the world would have access to the Jimmy Choo for H&M line Saturday morning.

Though only one bag, accessory, and pair of shoes were allowed per customer, there wee no limitations on the Jimmy Choo for H&M clothing line that’s being made available for the first time.

The stores opened at 10am. Items were sold out by 11:30am in NYC & Toronto. An excerpt and pics from a blogger’s account of the shopping frenzy:

10:35am: There is a frenzy for the studded belt! Everyone is carrying one. I see lots of the suede dress in gray ($249.) Staffers are restocking clothes at record rates.

10:36am: Women are grabbing at the bags, too. There’s a croc one that everyone wants.

10:38am: Staffers brought out the super-cute small chain-link zebra studded bag, which started a grabbing frenzy. It’s $99.

10:40am: They’re keeping the shoe area penned off by metal gates. There is a huge crush of people outside the gates waiting to get in.

10:42am: Mannequin down near the shoes! It’s a mob scene over here.

Click here to see some items up close

Keywords: Jimmy Choo shoes, bags, accessories at H&M, Jimmy Choo for H&M, Jimmy Choo sells out in an hour and a half, Jimmy CHoo sold out in NYC, Jimmy Choo sold out in Toronto.
Other Sources: 1, 2, 3

Jimmy Choo clothes, shoes & accessories at H&M today!

Saturday, November 14

Jimmy Choo’s significantly more affordable men & women’s line for H&M became available in 200 stores today. The line sold out within an hour and a half in Toronto and NYC. See some of my faves from the collection below. More here.

★ M.A.R.A.★