L to R, Photo: Michelle Blioux, Model; Zadasha White - Amy Sarabi - Artwork by Amy Sarabi--All images courtesy of Lifetime

Seems like it was just last season (season six to be exact) that we got our fix of “Iranians on TV”–via the tiny Persian designer, Shirin Askari–on Lifetime’s Project Runway.

Wait…it was.

But now, there’s a new Persian girl–who’s also (originally) from Texas like her predecessor–to watch on the show of shows in Fashion, Iranian-American fashion designer: Amy Sarabi.

“My parents came to the United States in 1979.” Sarabi tells us. ”They landed in Texas where they attended Graduate School. I spent the majority of my childhood growing up in Plano, Texas: I have an older brother, Shahin and an older sister Shiva.”

The 26 year-old designer’s fascination with fashion emerged early in life: “I was always buying garments and turning them into something else, I have a vivid memory of myself standing in front of my mother’s mirror at about 6 years old putting a nightgown on the wrong way intentionally and wearing it as a little jacket.”

Already placing in the “Best 3″ category on her Project Runway scorecard for her  unconventional approach to simplicity while remaining authentic to the texture, look, and earthy color pallete of the delicious burlap creation she sent down the runway on Episode 2: The Fashion Farm, Amy’s had a stellar start on Project Runway this season.

And although she may not have enough time to “make things for [herself]” to wear, we’re confident that the “silk organza”-loving, and progressively artful honarmand (artist), Amy Sarabi will in no time be a respected voice in the fashion world, and rule her scene. (As most Persian women seem to naturally do.)

A true Persian girl at heart, Amy admits to us that her own personal style consists  of wearing “a lot of  black.” Her design aesthetic, however,  is far from being monochromatic. It’s rich and kaleidoscopic.

Enjoy Persianesque Magazine’s exclusive interview with  the fashion-theory-au-fait and forward-focused, global design-house-in-the-making source: Amy Sarabi. Read the full story

L to R, Shirin Askari working on the dress that got her eliminated from Project Runway, Tim Gunn & Shirin Askari in the workroom -- Images via LifetimeTV

We know that you’re just as disappointed as we are about Iranian designer, Shirin Askari’s early departure from Project Runway’s sixth season, on episode 9 (Sequins, Feathers and Fur, Oh My!) of the show on LifetimeTV.

It was a shock for Iranian viewers to see the talented young designer get eliminated far before it was her due time to go. (We were  actually anticipating watching her showcase her designs at the coveted Fashion Week show and season finale of Project Runway.)

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Any fashion-conscious eye who has had a chance to see sharply fashion-savvy Iranian women in all their haute couture galore around the world (especially in Tehran), knows that Iranians are by far of the most fashionable sect on the planet. (In fact Iranians single-handedly made summer 2009, an inspiring and fiercely-emotional-yet-green one.)

Now we’re delighted to introduce you to the first Iranian fashion designer, Shirin Askari, on the show of shows in fashion: Project Runway.

In the words of Project Runway’s gorgeous German host, Heidi Klum: “In fashion, one day you’re in, and the next day… you’re out.” And we believe that as long as the fresh-faced designer continues to “make it work” a la’ Tim Gunn’s request, Shirin is sure to be in for a long time to come.

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Original Photos: LifetimeTV

Be sure to watch Project Runway’s season six premiere tonight, August 20th, on Lifetime at 10 pm et/pt, or you’ll miss the very sweet Persian treat: contestant Shirin Askari.

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