Asian Invasions " The Models "

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Press Release

NEW YORK - December 21, 2006, DesiClub.com made available its ground breaking Sexy South Asian Girls Calendar for the year 2007. The calendar is the very first of its kind, showcasing South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi) models from North America. The calendar was produced and developed to recognize the overlooked and highly attractive appeal of South Asian women in the mainstream fashion and modelling world outside of the Subcontinent of South Asia. The style of the calendar is in scope with popular magazines MAXIM and FHM, but very much has its own unique flavor, giving it an even greater edge.

DesiClub.com joins the ranks of giant brand Kingfisher who produces a similar, more conservative calendar in India. "By publishing this calendar we have established a platform for South Asian models in North America to utilize as a stepping stone for their careers, just as the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Calendar has done for the mainstream market. Even with the success of many South Asian actors and musicians in the mainstream, there is still a great lack in foundation and support for 2nd and 3rd generation models and we are very pleased to be able to provide that." Publisher of the Calendar, Saroosh Gull said and continued, "...our main objective in producing this calendar was to showcase the beauty of South Asian women and to project an image to the mainstream market that South Asian women are just as "American," being beautiful, attractive and capable in the mainstream fashion and modelling world as Latinas, Blacks, Whites and other Asians, if not more so. By advancing with this agenda, we are doing something that has never been done before, which makes this entire project and the impact it will have truly ground breaking."

Ayesha Hakki, Editor and Publisher of Bibi Magazine lent her strategic support to the entire project and provided encouragement. Ms. Hakki said "...we think this calendar is a great way to showcase strong and sexy South Asian women. It's an idea whose time has come and we are very proud to be a part of it. Through out the entire process, we wanted the photos to be sexy and tasteful and I think the end result is a testament to the inherent beauty of South Asian women."
The calendar itself is not without controversy. The cover girl, along with several other models in the calendar are of muslim background and posing in bikinis has caused quite an uproar in some communities. Cover girl Mariyah Moten, who is originally from Pakistan said "I am very pleased and very proud to be attached to this project and being able to express my freedom as a Pakistani-American is something I truly cherish."

Co-Publisher, Ojas Vaidya added, "The calendar is for all South Asians, as it has all of the Muslim, Hindu and Sikh holidays noted on it, along with Christmas, Easter and so on. We wanted to make sure that we weren't just putting together some sexy pictures for people to look at, but its actually a pretty good and informative calendar. As you know, its very hard to find a calendar that has all South Asian holidays on it. I, myself am very happy to have something on my wall that shows all the days we, as Desis celebrate."

In responding to criticism for the controversy surrounding the calendar, Mr. Gull summarized by saying "...it was very important for us to break stereotypes and allow the reality of South Asian-Americans to be expressed. In maintaining our desire to depict the South Asian-American community accurately, we are proud to have been able to bring together models from different locations, backgrounds and careers. We are very proud to be able to include women with Pakistani and Indian backgrounds, who have traditionally been categorized as shy, introverted and reserved. As you will see in our calendar, we are showcasing beautiful, intelligent, ambitious women who have no insecurities about who they are and the independence they represent. We have been very lucky to be able to work with these models, as they have all shown their strong will and dedication both personally and professionally."

The calendar was sponsored by one of the largest Beer companies in India, which is making headway in the American market, Hayward's Beer. DesiWear, the leading Desi Clothing company, GoToMedSchool.com, BiBi Magazine, IndianParty.com and the Miss Pakistan World Pageant also contributed greatly. There was also crucial support given by mainstream brands Monster Energy and Virgin Mobile. The calendar can be purchased online from

http://www.desiclub.com /calendar and plans are already underway for the 2008 Calendar.
About DesiClub.com: Founded in 1998, www.DesiClub.com is the leading South Asian media entity, focusing on the 2nd and 3rd generation population of South Asians in North America and the UK.