Photo Credit: Anya Holdstock

Riyka creates graphic, everyday pieces that can be worn wherever with its subtle geometric patterns, elegantly contrasted colours and wearable silhouettes - simple looks for the lady who sees no distinction between work and play. The essence of their design is quality, timelessness and functionality.

Riyka’s cult following is about to expand - the word is you can’t get any better wears for shaking it down on the festival fields than their SS12 collection. Whether it’s Latitude, Bestival, Lovebox or further afield in Croatia Riyka SS12 is deemed dance essential.

A contemporary, casual label with Womenswear shapes borrowed from the boys. There is definitely an element of athleticism and a nod to the Olympian as pieces take a sporty spin. References for the season are inspired heavily from music and the 70’s Afro-beat explosion, with native African narratives. The brand is deeply moved by the 27 beautiful wives of renowned Nigerian singer Fela Kutti with their powerful beauty, ethnic prints, raffia-work, tribal iconography, secret-coded-body-art and intricate beading that’s a melting pot of old techniques and free-spirited ideas.

Captured by the magnetism of these beautiful women Riyka has created a collection of dresses, tops and shorts featuring mirrored geometric panels with striking colours of blues ‘n’ orange with contrasting textures of denim, linen and leather.

Creating a uniform for the youthful-minded from their east London studio Riyka designs for an intelligent, style-centric wearer romanced by the future with all its endless possibilities. Wearable, unselfconscious and deliciously versatile, this is a wanderlust wardrobe outfitting the restless fun loving soul.

May 10 - May 11th 10 am to 6 pm each day
545 8th Avenue, 17th Floor
between 37th and 38th Street

Taiwanese designer Wenlan Chia, the designer of Twinkle by Wenlan, is hosting a co-op sample sale to celebrate spring with her fellow designers - Hunter Dixon, By Smith and Pinkyotto.

You will find silk printed dresses for $120 (originally $326); color-blocking maxi dresses for $80 (reduced from $154); black and white eyelet cut out dress at $130 (regularly $295) and weekend dresses now $98 (originally $278).

May 10 - May 11th
10 am to 6 pm each day
545 8th Avenue, 17th Floor
between 37th and 38th Street
Payment Accepted: Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Amex
All sales final; no returns or exchanges

The PUMA Suede is one of the brands most iconic silhouettes. The Suede’s heritage and timeless style means it speaks as loudly today as it did to the B-Boys and Terrace Fans after its initial release in 1968. Dating back to a time when suede was a revolutionary alternative to leather, PUMA changed the game and created a bestselling and enduring icon. This summer sees the ever popular PUMA Suede re-imagined with a series of muted colourways.

Lush suedes in rich colourways lay the foundations for the contrasting texture of the leather formstripe, which gives the shoe a distinct fresh feel. The latest PUMA Suede is sure to whet the continued appetite of today’s sneaker community and further cement the silhouettes iconic status.

The first two colourways drop this month with a further two arriving in August. All four styles will be available exclusively from footwear giants JD Sports - www.jdsports.com

Date: May 17th from 7:00~9:30pm (Door opens at 6:30pm)

Location: Drom NYC (85 Avenue A New York, NY 10009)

Special tickets are only $15 when per-purchase online by 5/16 midnight and the first 100 people who purchase their tickets online will receive FREE gifts! Don’t miss the opportunity! Regular admission will be $20 at the door.

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The Chairman Band: 20 years and running, award winning Taiwan Rock Band since 1990s.

The Chairman, formed in 1997, has released 8 albums, and received numerous domestic and overseas awards. The Chairman is famed for its particular Taiwanese local rock and roll style and has dominated the Taiwan music industry for years. The Chairman has been nominated and won awards including Golden Melody Awards and Golden Indie Awards in Taiwan. They were also invited to perform at 2011 Taiwan Heritage Night at the Mets Citi Field, the first Taiwan live band to perform at any Major League Baseball. The Chairman’s facebook http://www.facebook.com/chairman.taiwan

Red Flower Band: Popular Electro pop rock band that’s under Sony Music Taiwan!

Emerging band Red Flower straddles the murky line between pop and indie band. Red Flower Band was found in 2005 and since then, two tracks have become TV drama theme songs including “Love Second Time Around” makes a nod to 1980s happy-go-lucky rock, while “Pillow Talk” veers into atmospheric slow rock redolent of Coldplay. Red Flower Band facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RedFlowerBand

The Hsu-Nami: An international renowned prog-rock band from the United States.

The Hsu-Nami. Integrates an amplified electric ”erhu”, a tweaked two-string spike fiddle used in Chinese classical and folk music, into a rock lineup. The band typically compose lengthy erhu melodic-based instrumental pieces that feature dynamic contrast, heavy guitar riffs, melodic bass guitar lines and trading solo. Part of the new-fusion rock movement, the Hsu-Nami redefines the 1960s and 1970s progressive fusion rock music. Hsu-Nami’s music was featured in the 2008 Summer Olympic in Beijing. the Hsu-Nami facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HsuNamiRock

Special tickets are only $15 when per-purchase online by 5/16 midnight and the first 100 people who purchase their tickets online will receive FREE gifts! Don’t miss the opportunity! Regular admission will be $20 at the door.

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The 33rd Annual Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Festival will be held on Saturday, May 5, 2012 on Ellis Island from 12:00pm to 2:00pm and on Saturday, May 12, 2012, at the Brooklyn Archway in Dumbo, from 11:00am to 6:00pm.

Organized by the Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans since 1979, this annual festival is the longest running and largest event celebrating pan-Asian heritage nationwide. It celebrates not only the value of families, but also our heritage which make us proud to be Asian American and Pacific Islander. The festival is free and open to the public thanks to generous contributions from sponsors as well as from supporting companies and many Asian communities and organizations. More than 20,000 visitors are expected for an impressive line-up of performances, fun activities for children and adults alike, and savory samples of Asian cuisine. Numerous Asian American and Pacific Islander organizations will be present to inform visitors about useful services, volunteer opportunities, and resources to get involved in the community. Attendees can expect a riveting lineup of performances and speakers including:

Special appearance by Mr. Eric Adams, New York State Senator; Mr. John Liu, Comptroller, City of New York, and Mr. Scott Stringer, Manhattan Borough President

Emcees by Ti-Hua Chang, Bea Hundel, CeFaan Kim, Air Tabigue, and Michelle Yu

Opening ceremony by Color Guard of Navy Operational Support Center NYC

Martial arts and cultural demonstration by New York Chinese School Crimson Kings Drum, Chinese Freemason Athletic Club’s Lion Dance, City Wing Tsun, Byakkokan Dojo, and World Martial Arts Center

Music performances by The Stone Forest Ensemble, The Hsu-Nami, UZUHI, Mitchell Grey, Kirby Asunto, Pamela J Powell, and Tiffany Ashley Viray

Dance presentations by Polynesian Dance, Bollywood Axion Dance, New York Chinese Cultural Center, Yosakoi Dance Project, NYC Bhangra, and I LOVE DANCE’s Kpop Dance Group

Asian traditional folk arts presentations by Rose Sigal-Ibsen, Kavita Vyas, Ye Xun, Jampa Youden, Duong Trung, and Ming Liang Lu

The community festival will be packed with lively entertainment, tasty eats, and valuable resources in celebration of Asian American and Pacific American Heritage Month — and the rich culture, history and accomplishments of Asian American and Pacific Islander. For more details on the event, go to: http://capaonline.org.

Daughtry’s Citi Field show will follow their May 1 concert at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York. Singer Chris Daughtry will talk about the band’s upcoming July 20 performance at Citi Field during their appearance tonight at the MLB Fan Cave (MLBFanCave.com).

The band – Daughtry, guitarists Josh Steely and Brian Craddock, bassist Josh Paul and drummer Robin Diaz – is currently touring in support of their fourth album Break The Spell (19 Recordings/RCA Records). The album, which was certified gold in four weeks, builds on the band’s reputation for melodic hooks and anthemic choruses while providing a powerful showcase for Chris Daughtry’s emotionally resonant voice.

Daughtry has scored four No. 1 hits, garnered four Grammy nominations, sold over seven million albums and played sold out concerts around the world in less than four years. Daughtry’s self-titled debut was the fastest selling rock debut in Soundscan history and its follow up Leave This Town marked the quintet’s second consecutive No. 1 album.

The Mets Concert Series presented by Duane Reade also features REO Speedwagon on Friday, June 15 and MercyMe on Friday, August 10. Cheap Trick, previously scheduled to perform at Citi Field July 20, will instead play another New York venue in July.

Come and see their elegant and exciting Spring/Summer Collection which includes a bold and stunning Large rock crystal drop necklace with a multi gold filled hand oven texture which is featured on a long sterling silver chain, Whimsical 10kt yellow gold Porcupine ring, Colorful Green Hoop Party Earrings which are Hand hammered in sterling, jade and quartz and the season must have Ocean bangle, Hammered sterling silver bangle with deep faceted aquamarine setting.

Also view online at www.meeheeny.com, some amazing Mother Day special items that will surely make the perfect gift. In addition, Meehee NY also offers custom design pieces that are truly personal and memorable. Each Meehee NY design is available in precious and semi-precious stones with 14 kt gold, gold filled and gold plated, along with sterling silver hardware.

The Meehee NY boutique at the Dekalb Market is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11am to 6pm.

Tusk was introduced in 1993 and is known for offering superior Italian leather products that are both fashionable and affordable. Their collection always features an interesting color palette and signature hardware finishes, which has made their brand, the must have line both nationally and internationally.

For their Spring/Summer 2012 Women’s Collection they have expanded their hand bag assortment and branding signatures on noted styles such as satchels, cross body expandable bags, interchangeable handbags and clutch wallets and the perfect work or weekend tote. Their new Men’s collection brings an exciting assortment of easy to carry wallets, lap top case messenger bags and travel accessories that are both stylish and practical.

To learn more about Tusk please visit their website: www.tusk.com

Panchachuli Women Weavers is a program; which facilitates economic and social independence for women in the Indian Himalayas using the traditional arts of weaving and knitting. KOZA is inspired by this project; which has given these women an alternative way of earning their living and has contributed significantly to the structural development of the Kumaon region. KOZA’s cashmere products are processed, dyed, spun, and woven entirely by hand providing livelihoods and freedom to hundreds of women represented by Panchachuli Women Weavers.

German-born, London-based Sinje Lesemann, is the creative designer of the KOZA brand and KOZA has interpreted these stories through pattern and embellishment, representing Mahabharata characters and events through textile and hardware details. Fusing modernity with Indian heritage, KOZA’s eclectic range of travel items reflects our desire to pass these philosophies on to you.

KOZA was inspired by a memorable trip to Rajasthan, India. While traveling, Sinje was confronted by the many obstacles that face the modern day traveler, including the ultimate hurdle: how to be organized and stylish while on the go. Ideas of function, form and beauty consumed Sinje’s thoughts and eventually translated into a collection of luxury travel accessories called KOZA. She began exploring the arts at a young age, apprenticing with a goldsmith as a teenager. She moved to the United States to attend the University of Rhode Island, where she graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design, following which she earned an MA in Fashion Marketing at The Surrey Institute of Art and Design. After graduating, she worked with UK designer, Clements Ribeiro, in due course becoming Commercial Director. In 2007, Sinje joined California-based fashion company, Fashionglue, as a marketing consultant. All the while, she was planning the launch of KOZA, combining her expertise in fashion, design, and marketing with her travel experiences.

SINJE’S TRAVEL TIPS

Best ways to pack your carry-on bag

1. Choose your carry-on bag wisely. Soft bags are always better than hard cases as they allow you to stuff extra items in when needed. Choose a bag with outside pockets for all the things that you need to access on the plane (i.e. magazines, eye mask, hand sanitizer etc) and that securely holds you electronics inside. Our KOZA Rajani Travel Tote was specifically designed with these things in mind but there are also other great brands out there: Burton makes really good luggage and carry-on bags with really clever and functional details but they have a more sporty and casual look.
2. Organize before packing. Write a packing list and lay everything you need or want to take on a bed, then edit what you actually really need. I separate clothes by type, i.e. top, skirts, pants etc and tightly roll them up as it takes much less space then packing it flat. Pack everything in plastic bags and squeeze out air to make it as flat as possible.
3. Save valuable space by packing underwear, socks and jewelry in plastic bags and stuff them inside my shoes.
4. Wrap your cords chargers as nothing is more annoying than loose wires flying around your bag. I never travel without the KOZA leed bag which is compact and organizes all my adapters and wires and keeps them tidy when traveling but it also works to just wrap up the cords, tie them together with rubber band and put them all in ziplock bag
5. Pack in layers: Shoes at the side, rolled up clothes and things you don’t need during your journey go in first followed by flat packed delicate clothes (i.e. dresses). Put toiletries and electronics on top so that you can easily take them out during security screening. All entertainment items like magazines, books, iPad, etc in outside compartments for easy

5 Ways to stay stress-free when traveling

1. Whenever possible, travel only with carry-on
2. Take everything you absolutely need in carry-on: chargers, medication, underwear, toothbrush & toothpaste so you don’t freak out in case your checked in luggage gets lost
3. Choose carry-on bag with smart compartments and easy access to the things you need to take out at security and inflight entertainment, i.e. magazine, books, laptops. Nothing is more annoying than boarding the plane and then holding up everybody because you have to get you laptop out from inside your carry-on
4. Board early or get priority boarding. These days with increasing luggage charges people travel with more carry-on luggage so if you board late then the overheads are always full which is annoying
5. Wear something cute and smart but comfortable. Looking smart always helps when trying to get an upgrade but one must never underestimate the importance of comfort especially on long haul flights

How to avoid Jetlag?

1. Set your clock to the local time zone as soon as the flight attendandt announces the time at your new destination.
2.If you go from east to west and arrive in the morning, use bright light in hotel room or better, get out in real sunlight. Don’t take a nap, just get on with your day and prolong bed time. If you go from west to east and arrive in the evening, do nothing as your sleep clock will reset in a few days. No matter what time you land try to stay up until at least 10PM local time.
3.Don’t eat much on the plane. Bring fruit and drink lots of water to stay hydrated
4. Avoid alcohol on the plane. Truthfully i not always comply with this rule but you will definitely feel better without
5. Exercise or take hot shower at destination. When you get tired your body gets cold. Taking a hot shower or exercise will trick your body into being awake

KOZA- Made in India:

KOZA offers travel accessories with a leisure spirit for those who demand beautiful and intelligent products. Leisure embodies freedom, time, and a relaxed attitude; which is synonymous with style. Discover our beautiful collection of travel items designed to bring a dose of leisure to your busy life. The fabric was woven on traditional Indian looms. The handcrafted hardware and calf leather came from Italy. All components are then assembled by hand in India.

The graphics are created exclusively by KOZA and represent a ‘visual vocabulary’ of KOZA’s interpretation of the epic Indian poem, the Mahabharata. The thought provoking stories of life are told through the signature prints, which are created from the finest silk jacquards and embroidered linen, making each piece utterly unique, distinguished by thoughtful one-of-a-kind details. For more info: www.koza.uk.com

Follow us at : https://www.facebook.com/AsianInNYFans, for more event coverage and special give aways.

The fourth annual Oslo Freedom Forum, titled Out of Darkness, Into Light, will bring the most daunting humanitarian issues of our time out of the shadows of obscurity and to the forefront of global awareness. The event will feature visionaries from academia, advocacy, business, media, politics, social entrepreneurship, and technology who will shed light on some of the world’s least known and most repressive regimes and exchange ideas on how best to tackle humanitarian crises.

The conference will include luminaries from Wikipedia and Google; the best-selling authors of The Shadow War, Consent of the Networked, and You Can’t Read This Book; anti-slavery pioneers from Cambodia, Haiti, and Nepal; opposition leaders from Ethiopia, Russia, and Singapore; individuals using the arts to highlight human rights crises; and on-the-ground activists from regimes in Equatorial Guinea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Zimbabwe, to name only a few.

The program will include a spotlight on the many forms of modern-day slavery; exposés on how Western public relations firms, IT, and arms companies support dictatorships, the drug war’s impact on human rights; a focus on the burgeoning democracy movement in Russia; perspectives on dealing with poverty through individual rights; an examination of global censorship; and a discussion on the current state of the Arab uprisings.