M.A.R.A.

Sonia Dara in Rajasthan for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2010

Sonia Daria is of Indian origin, focuses her undergraduate studies in Human Evolution Biology at Harvard University (Class of 2012), and plans to pursue a career in Medicine specializing in Orthodontistry.

Through her hard work and dedication to modeling while at AMTC in 2005, Dara impressed Elite modeling agency and was signed in Atlanta which then evolved into a contract with Elite in New York. Sonia has worked for dozens of designers, magazines and clients like Oscar De La Renta, Valentino, Versace, Balenciaga, Bill Blass, Neiman Marcus, Macy’s, Saks, Juicy Couture, Cosmo Girl, Seventeen, WWD, and Allure.

Photographed by Riccardo Tinelli in Rajasthan, India. Swimsuit by Vicky Moreinis.

Photographed by Riccardo Tinelli in Rajasthan, India. Swimsuit by Sauvage.

Photographed by Riccardo Tinelli in Rajasthan, India. Swimsuit by Oye Swimwear.

Photographed by Riccardo Tinelli in Rajasthan, India. Swimsuit by Vix Swimwear.

Photographed by Riccardo Tinelli in Rajasthan, India. Swimsuit top by Debbie Wilson for Maui Girl, bottom by Lisa Curran Swim.

Other Sports Illustrated 2010 Swimsuit models of Asian descent:

Jessica Gomes

Chrissy Teigen

More about Dara: AMTC, Harvard Crimson, Fashion Model Directory
Other Keywords: famous asians, famous asian, indian models, sports illustrated indian models, indian descent

Christine Teigen in the Sports Illustrated 2010 Swimsuit Edition released today!

Thai Norwegian beauty (and guess whose singer-songwriter’s longtime love), Christine Teigen, graces the pages of the long awaited, annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition 2010. (Brooklyn Decker, married to tennis star Andy Roddick and good gal pals with Teigen, is on the cover.)

Photographed by Randall Grant in Dhigu, Maldives, Male.

Photographed by Walter Iooss, Jr in Dhigu, Maldives, Male. Swimsuit by Delpi.

Photographed by Walter Iooss, Jr in Dhigu, Maldives, Male. Swimsuit by Delfina Swimwear.

Photographed by Walter Iooss, Jr in Dhigu, Maldives, Male. Swimsuit by Skeemo, top by Shay Todd.

Photographed by Walter Iooss, Jr in Dhigu, Maldives, Male. Swimsuit Becca by Rebecca Virtue.

Photographed by Randall Grant in Dhigu, Maldives, Male. Swimsuit by Vix Swimwear.

Photographed by Walter Iooss, Jr in Dhigu, Maldives, Male. Swimsuit by Keiko.

Photographed by Walter Iooss, Jr in Dhigu, Maldives, Male. Swimsuit by Keiko.

Photographed by Walter Iooss, Jr in Dhigu, Maldives, Male. Swimsuit by Vix Swimwear.

Photographed by Walter Iooss, Jr in Dhigu, Maldives, Male. Swimsuit by Delfina Swimwear.

Photographed by Randall Grant in Dhigu, Maldives, Male. So…Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue or ‘classy’ porn shoot? Randall certainly has an eye…

Other Sports Illustrated 2010 Swimsuit models of Asian descent:

Jessica Gomes

Sonia Dara

Pics: Chrissy Teigen modeling & w/her famous BF

Other Keywords: Chrissy Teigen in sports illustrated, John Legend, girlfriend, love, Teigen’s boyfriend, sports illustrated models, famous asian models, famous asians, thai models, asian american models, swimsuits, bikinis, bathing suits, the maldives

Christine Teigen holds her own in the Sports Illustrated 2010 Swimsuit Edition

The 24-year-old, Utah-born, Seattle-raised beauty of Thai and Norwegian descent has risen to the top modeling ranks by landing one of the most coveted jobs in the industry. The Sports Illustrated 2010 Swimsuit Edition will be unveiled Tuesday, Feb 9th.

Chrissy, as she calls herself on her twitter, has modeled for Victoria’s Secret Pink, has been on the cover of Maxim mag (2007), and has done campaigns for Rock and Republic, Billabong, and Fredericks of Hollywood lingerie. She’s also been seen around town on the arm of her boyfriend, singer-songwriter, John Legend.

52nd Annual Grammy Awards, January 31, 2010
[Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images North America]

81st Annual Academy Awards, March 2009

Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World Gala at the Frederick P. Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center on May 5, 2009 in New York City. [Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images]

Show Me Campaign benefit at the Soho House on May 19, 2009 in New York City. [Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images]

Victoria’s Secret Revealed: Asian models on the runway

Chrissy Teigen PHOTOS in Sports Illustrated 2010 Swimsuit

See videos of Teigen on Huffpost
Other photos via bellazon and fashionmodeldirectory
Other keywords: famous asian, famous asians, famous asian models, hapa, mixed asian model, hot fox, beautiful asians, beautiful asian model, asian model in alloy, hispanic looking model in alloy catalog, gorgeous, hot mixed asian, foxy laydeh, john legend girlfriend

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?

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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

Feb 2009

Sept 2008

Obama wears Khan, State Dinner 11/24/09

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