Here are some links to the AP story which was picked up by dozens of publications
· Arab-American Designers Show Off Wares
· U.S. Arab designers hope fashion will show different side of conflict
· Arab-American designers unveil Eastern-influenced fashions
Click on the following links for pictures of the event:
· Photos of the Show!
Project Coordinators
Yomna Nasser – Yomna Nasser, 24, a member of the Network of Arab American Professionals of NY, is the co-creator and project coordinator of the 2005 Fashion Cultural show. Yomna, a Marist College graduate with a degree in Fashion Merchandising aspires to pursue a career in the fashion industry. Through out the past years she has volunteered in many charity events in the Hudson Valley and NYC. Yomna has past experience as an intern at Nickelodeon as a stylist for a hit TV show and Riviera Trading Inc in product development for children’s accessories. Yomna hopes to continue giving back to the Arab- American community by participating in event planning and volunteer work.
Dina Mekawi - 23, is a member of NAAP-NY and has been a freelancer in the fashion industry for the past 2 years. From working with some of the nations’ top magazines such as Glamour, Teen Vogue, People, and Cosmopolitan, to assisting on photo shoots with various stylists, she hopes to one day become her own stylist or fashion editor at a magazine. Dina graduated from Florida Tech with a degree in Business Communication in three and a half years, with honors. She also wrote for the university’s newspaper and played college basketball at the division two level.
Dina and Yomna can be contacted at naapfashionshow@yahoo.com
About The Designers:
The Arab-American designers taking part in the Cultural Fashion show represent a broad-spectrum of styles and influences.
Hassan Bounkit - Born in Casablanca Morocco, Hassan studied Business administration at the Universitee de Quebec a Montreal. Hassan then attended Fashion Design School in Florence Italy, Worked as an intern at Salvatore Ferragamo, And Marella Ferrera Couture Houses. In 1989 moved to New York City, assisting Fashion Designer Nicole Miller, Arnold Scaasi while attending Jewelry Design courses at the Fashion Institute of Technology. In the year 2001, he started assisting the Fashion jewelry Designer Iradj Moini, where he’s currently a Managing Director.Bounkit Designs are inspired by Victorian, South Asian and Mediterranean colors and themes. Mixing Natural precious stones with Swarovski Crystals, combining 18 karat gold plated metals with sterling Silver.
Contact Hassan www.Bounkit.com or 646-342-1458
Dalia Ghanem - Dalia has been working in the Textile and Fashion industry in New York for over 5 years. With her Graphic Design & Textile Design background she created a line of t-shirts for Arab Americans. Her collection was inspired by popular expressions and trends in the community. The trendy line offers tees for men and women and will soon include a children’s line. The collection continues to flourish and expand as new designs are always in the works. Dalia has traveled with her tshirtat to several cultural events & festivals across the country.
You can check out the line at www.t-shirtat.com or email Dalia at dalia@t-shirtat.com
Najina Kasim - The modern modest woman is reflected in all of Najina's designs. She realizes that its often hard for not only Muslim women but women in general to find clothes in today's fashion that make them feel comfortable and elegant all at once. Najina used different materials such as silk, cotton and georgette for her long blouses and hijabs which can be wrapped in almost any style! Najina is Lebanese-American and was born in the Bronx. Najina's designs are custom made orders.
She can be reached by email: najinakasim@hotmail.com
Zeinab Khalifa - began her professional career as an apprentice to traditional master silversmiths and jewelers in Khan al Khalili, the heart of historical Cairo. In 1990 she began exhibiting her single edition pieces. By 1997 Khalifa had begun exhibiting more conceptual art pieces- she is currently involved in both contemporary installation art and jewelry design. Her work has been acquired by various private and institutional collections in America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Zeinab Khalifa has exhibited in Gezira Art Center, the Cairo Atelier, the Venezuelan Embassy in Cairo, and most recently in the Falaki Gallery at the American University in Cairo. Khalifa worked as a jewelry consultant on Yousry Nasarallah's feature film "Mercedes".
You can contact Zeinab through Art for Action: ginanrauf@hotmail.com
Rana Hajjar - Ranahajjar.com tees evolved from the desire to see a form of _expression that reflects a more contemporary brand of Arabic clothing using art, graphics and fashion. By transforming and extrapolating Arabic calligraphy, they wanted to create aesthetic forms and urban logos that transcend all cultural, political and geographical boundaries, and are also cool to wear.
For more information visit www.ranahajjar.com or contact info@ranahajjar.com.
Reem Hussein - a contemporary artist based in NY, and May Abul-Kheir are co-designers for Oasis, a line of exotic jewelry inspired by the Arabian Bedouin tribes of the Middle East. Oasis' spring debut features an eclectic fusion of original Bedouin silver and semi-precious stones collected from Egypt, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Syria. Each artfully crafted and unique piece echoes the spirit and craftsmanship of these nomadic people, and embodies the heritage, strength and inherent beauty of the Arabian woman.
Reem and May can be contacted at www.Oasisjewelry@hotmail.com or 914-522-1135.
Nime Jamal - Nime's Creations is for that one of a kind look. She creates everything from Evening and Bridal Gowns, Interview Suites, Talent Costumes, Figure Skating Outfits, and Accessories. She has been a long time sponsor for Miss USA.
Nime can be reached at 845-362-DRES (3737) or (845)222-8926
Maha Saab - Apparel www.willfulcompany.com Drawn from architectural and decorative design of the Middle East, Lebanese-American designer Maha Saab, and co-designer Diana Baez, have created a Spring collection under Canvas Lines that will premier at this years NAAP Fashion show. Intricate patterns are subtlety combined with simple, elegant forms- creating a line that embraces both structure and the ease of beauty.
Email Maha at mahasaab321@yahoo.com
Imaan Selim - creates feminine, sexy, Eastern inspired jewelry in silver and gold-filled chain and semi-precious stones. Her line, Eswera, meaning 'jewel' in Arabic, was born out of interest in merging traditional Eastern jewelry with a modern, Western aesthetic. A selection of Imaan's recent collection was chosen for the 2005 Elle Style Awards.
Iman can be contacted at imaans@yahoo.com
Traditional Apparel:
Much of the traditional apparel that will be showcased will be donated by The Palestinian Heritage Foundation and individual NAAP-NY members who have collected antique traditional dresses throughout the years.
The Palestinian Heritage Foundation is a cultural and educational organization which aims to promote awareness and understanding of Arab and, specifically, Palestinian culture and traditions. Please visit www.palestineheritage.org for more information on the Foundation.
The selections will be based on region, authenticity, detail, elaboration and structure.
- Egypt
- Jordan
- Morocco
- Palestine
- Saudi Arabia
- Sudan
- Syria
Performers:
Yasser Darwish - Tanoura Dancer.
Music by DJ Jungle - from Babel www.djjungle.com
Palestine American Congress Debke Troup
Nizar Munzer - Keyboard
Asma May Fouathia Modern Rhythmic Gymnastics Dance
Volunteers and Crew
Special thanks goes out to the volunteers and crew who made this event a reality!
Cultural Show Hosts:
Joseph Naggiar - Joe is a proud Egyptian-American member of NAAP who is based in New York City. Through his engagement with NAAP and other community organizations, as well as in his own life, Joseph strives to educate people on the richness, sensitivities and beauty of Arab culture. He's committed to exploring business ventures that will positively impact the Arab-American community. Joseph holds a BBA from Pace University and currently works as an Advertising Sales Executive at the career information media company, Vault Inc. On a personal level, Joseph enjoys grooving to melodious beats, expressing himself through poetry and fashion and creating an exciting and healthy lifestyle. And while his beloved family and friends might describe him as the life of a party, he sees himself as a simple Shepard roaming life's humble hills.
Jana Zenadeen - Jana is a Lebanese-American actress and writer. Her latest acting project was as the lead role in Three Queens, a short independent thesis film where she played "Rugaya". Jana is the co-writer and performer of Live! With Pascale & Chantal! which appeared at last year's New York International Fringe Festival. Other theatre credits include; Rite of Return at the Theatre for the New City, Live! With Pascale & Chantal at the New York Arab-American Comedy Festival, Prometheus at the Studio Theatre, MadMan William at The ACTual Reality Theatre Company and Bloody Murder at The Source Theatre. Film credits include; "Madeeha" in The Good Family (NY International Film & Video Festival), "Monica" in Undiscovered and "Lisa" in Frankie's Heaven. Jana was trained at the Studio Theatre Acting Conservatory, the British American Drama Academy, the T. Schreiber Studio and MTB Studios. Jana has a B.A. from the George Washington University in International Affairs and Communications. She is committed to creative projects that bring a positive awareness and understanding of the Arab culture through performance art, writing and film. Jana will be appearing next in Francoise Changes Her Mind as part of the "Moral & Values" Festival in Williamsburg commencing June 10th. www.janazenadeen.com
Models:
Manal Abbassi
Gloria Sophia Almonte
Chris Castano
Emily Cecchini
Mariel Delghavi
Mostafa Elkordy
Omar Hamza
Jamila Hasan
Maha Hasan
Rana Hasan
Rahna Jalashgar
Reem Kasi
Nouran Khalil
Pakiza Rassoul
Kariam Shayakhmetova
Maher Zmorod
Crew:
Anthony Sponzilli - Set Design
Adolfo Lee – Video grapher
Brian Belluomini- Lighting
Walid Abdlnoor- Hairdresser
Nesreen Mahmoud - Dresser
Wafa Khatib –Dresser/ Steamer
Sandy Sawwan - Sender
Dalia Haddad-Dresser
Malek Zouari -Dresser
Fanella Ferrato- Photographer
Hanni Pharoun - Photographer
Asma May Fouathia - Make-up
Layla Jabara -Dresser
Gladice Almonte – Dresser
Finally, thank you to the dozens of NAAP-NY volunteers who gave their time and resources to making this event one to remember!
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