Rima Fakih, from Dearborn, MI was born in Lebanon and has been celebrated by Arab Americans as the first Muslim Miss USA. (Miss USA Julie Hayek, the 1983 winner, had Lebanese roots on her father’s side, but her win was not considered a first, perhaps because she was raised Christian in California.) Fakih has been reported to be the second Lebanese-American, the first Arab-American, the first woman of the Muslim faith and the first immigrant to win the Miss USA title.

And ofcourse, Miss USA is getting a lot of negative press for photos that surfaced with her participating in a pole dancing competition (which she won!) for a radio show in 2007. I honestly don’t think the pictures are that bad at all, and lots of women both old and young are participating in pole-dancing classes, etc nowadays. Plusssss the pictures that the pageant folks had the contestants take are farrrr more racy.

*UPDATE: RIMA RESPONDS TO POLE DANCING PICS

rima fakih gallery

I am going to help you step your game up for the spring/summer.

1. Keep your apparel simple

There’s nothing worse than wearing an outfit where you can’t move, drink, breathe, or think in 90 degree weather. This goes for casual and formal outings. Find a nice simple tee or polo and a pair of non-denim shorts for your daytime casual rendezvous. If you’re going out at night or for a formal engagement, wear the polo with a light blazer or wear a dress shirt (pastel color) and lossen up the first two or three button. It’s very hot…don’t do too much.

2. Light cologne

It’s hot, everyone is sweating and irritable…DO NOT come through with that deep tone, strong, suffocating cologne that you wore all winter. Women appreciate a guy who smells fresh/clean rather than a guy who smells like he’s desperately trying to hide his sweaty ball/pit funk.

3. Baby powder and 24hr deodorant

If you aren’t already using it year-round you BETTER use it when it gets hot. It doesn’t matter when you showered, the moment you leave the house your testicles will begin to sweat. If you’re a back sweater…throw some on your back. If you’re an uncontrollable pit sweater…throw some in there along with your deodorant.

4. Footwear

If you’re going out in the daytime just to hangout you should throw on some sneakers or some slide-on sandals (NO thong slippers! you are not Hay-soos…or one of the 12 disciples). You have some leeway here. Due to the fact that your apparel is simple, you can be a bit flashy with the sneakers…but simple sneaks will always be ok. If you’re going out to a formal engagement throw on some nice loafers. Laces and summer don’t go together. Think about it….if your laces come undone you’ll be sweating and lightheaded before you finish tying them. COMFORT is key here.

5. Accesories

Shades, tote bags, watches, wallet should all be areas in which you spend the majority of your money when it comes to dressing up. In the winter you can get away with not having a watch because everyone is wearing long sleeves. Don’t be that guy when it gets warmer. Your raggedy gym bag will not suffice when you’re heading out for a day of outdoor activities.

gallery of items

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korea’s state-run (and only) news agency, sporadically releases photos of reclusive 69-year-old leader Kim Jong-il as he makes “on-the-spot” guidance visits. Kim Jong-il, continuing a practice begun by his father, Kim Il-sung, makes these visits to factories and facilities throughout the country, purportedly to offer his personal guidance. Followed by army officers, security personnel and plant managers – most carrying pencils and notepads to record the guidance of “Dear Leader” – he examines, listens, gives a talk, poses, then moves on, entourage in tow.

Now this may seem a bit far fetched to the average reader, but Kim Jong Il stays decked out in pimp/gangsta/mob-style attire. From the shades to the high-heel shoes (yes, high heel shoes..look it up) he struts through North Korea like his ish don’t stink. I haven’t lost my marbles…I have evidence! The guy has mob swag.

more pictures of kim

I’m sure we all know what is suggested by this billboard but c’mon…sex sells…and it’s all over the place. The Reebok commercial never got removed, yet this billboard deserves a story on the news. Let’s be consistent people. It’s really not that big of a deal.

Anyone who knows me knows that I have mad love for the big men in the game. When you here Pun or Biggie come on a track, they come with a level of confidence that surpasses that which you would expect from someone who isn’t exactly the prototype of “sexy” in the entertainment industry. A lot of rappers got their swag from their appeal to a female fan base. These guys got their swag from within. Fat Joe, Baby, and Rick Ross have continued the tradition.

Is there something about being an overweight rapper than infuses you with a sense of style? Since i’ve been a young blok i’ve seen the big guys in the industry kill the fashion game. I remember watching Biggie and his Versace shirts/shades wondering why his swag was always on a hundred billion. More recently, I’ve witnessed rappers like Fat Joe and Rick Ross completely shut down red carpets with their outfits…from the jewelry to the sneakers…murderous.

So consider this an ode to all the big men in the game. Hold it down!

Number Five: Baby

Name: Ronald “Baby” Williams

Nickname: Birdman

Occupation: CEO/Founder Cash Money Records & natural born hustlah

Weight: Unknown

Swag: Jewelry, Cash, Cars

Summary: Baby is the epitome of stuntin/ballin/blingin and it is safe to say his Cash Money Records label is synonymous with all three terms. Some of you are probably saying “Baby ain’t fat”. You’re right, but he was pretty chubby back in the day…and not much as changed in terms of his swag/style. #1 Stunna..yes he is.

the rest of the big fellas

This sums up what an ideal Valentine’s Day should be like.

Matching J’s.

Chillin.

With a 10.

inspiration from @WalksWorld tumblr page

Sick pair of jeans. They’ve gone for the more discreet looking symbol on these. Sleek and slick. I want them. Buy them for me please. Love you.

By the way, someone told me the other day that Rock & Republic as well as Evisu are brands of the past. For who?? These are brands of the past present and future. Quality is quality. That’s like saying Louis Vuitton is a thing of the past.