Update:
Click here: Full version of the interview With Amsale
Tadias Magazine
Interview by Tsedey Aragie
Updated: Monday, July 4, 2011
New York (Tadias) – In a recent interview with Tadias, Ethiopian American couture bridal-gown designer and entrepreneur Amsale Aberra discussed her new reality TV show Amsale Girls, her success in the fashion industry, her memories of Ethiopia, her musican daughter Rachel Brown and more.
Amsale, 58, who came to the United States from Ethiopia in 1973, is one of the most sought after bridal and evening-wear designers in the United States. Her sophisticated and elegant dresses are favorites among celebrities and she has dressed Hollywood’s A-list, including Julia Roberts, Halle Berry, Salma Hayek, Kim Bassinger, Uma Thurman, Anna Paquin, Heidi Klum, Selma Blair, Lucy Liu and Katherine Heigl, among others. Kate Hudson filmed the big screen adaptation of Something Borrowed at Amsale’s Madison Avenue boutique.
Model Maya Haile wore an Amsale gown during her wedding to renowned chef Marcus Samuelsson at their reception in Addis Ababa.
Amsale Aberra’s new reality show, Amsale Girls, is currently airing on the women’s network WE TV. The six-hour episode series goes behind-the-scenes of this luxury bridal salon that caters to high-maintenance clientele, with gowns donning price tags of $4,000 to $75,000, revealing Amsale’s sales consultants as the best in the business.
Below is the preview of our interview with Amsale. It was taped in her office in New York City on Tuesday, June 28, 2011. The full video will be posted next week.
Watch:
Amsale,
We are sooooooo proud of you. We were watching your reality show yesterday and the whole families were impressed. Keep it up!
I love Amsale. The name says it all! She has a great creative mind. And what an elegant Abesha woman!
wow, can’t wait to see the interview. The reality episodes so far big up!! Just also wanted to share this interview that the Chicago Tribune run yesterday. Amasale ranks Addis Ababa as one of her favorite cities in the world! She was asked by Jae-Ha Kim of Tribune Media Services, “What are your five favorite cities?” She answered: “New York City is absolutely my favorite city in the world. Rome and Florence. Tokyo is hectic but it’s fascinating, and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I have family there.” I enjoyed the a article.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/sc-trav-0628-celeb-20110628,0,2430311.story
Great interview Tsedey, can’t wait to see the whole thing!
wow, she is fine. thank you for the preview!!
I am a fan of Amsale. She has a greatly inspiring story for all young women in general and for Ethiopian girls in particular. Hope she opens a high-fashion school in Addis some time in the future.
That’s what’s up Tsedey… looking forward to the full version
good teaser TADIAS. way to go!!! i like the conversation so far between the two ladies. looking forward to it! have a great holiday weekend!!
Tadias, Thanks for the interview and informing us of Amsele’s work and Tsedey did a great job facilitating the interview.
TSEDOOOO! Great interview & you’re so funny cracking up with her. She is good inspiration for Habesha youth that want to get into fashion design. I can’t wait for the full interview.
Tsedey, Thank u for the Wonderful interview keep up the great job.
I have much respect for Amsale’s accomplishments. She is an inspiration to young men and women, as well as mothers everywhere who aspire to reach their personal potential as an individual. Of course, as a woman we are proud of her and particularly as a women of color, and for us Ethiopians she is also family!!
Love it! Job well done Tsedey!!
My daughter wore an Amsale dress for her wedding not too long ago. How exquisite a bride my daughter looked and what an exquisite wedding it was! Thank you Amsale.
Tsedisha, this is brilliant. Good job! Looking forward to the full interview.
Amsale’s designs are fabulous. I think abesha tilet with one of those designs would be betam arif. Big up to the reporter for keep it real and professional. I enjoyed the piasa in the 70’s question and especially the shout out to young and upcoming abesha designers. As an aspiring designer myself I appreciated Tseday’s thoughtfulness and thank you Tadias for sharing. I watched the reality show on WeTV…enjoyed it very much. It was interesting. I am Looking forward to the interview with Amsale as well.
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Can’t wait till the full interview comes out. Great job Tsedu, you are the perfect person to interview someone like Amsale who is paving the way for aspiring Ethiopian/Habesha professionals of all fields.
Nice interview Tseday. I enjoyed it very much.
Hi Tseday, that was a great interview you’ve done with Ethiopian icon designer Amsale. I enjoyed your program keep up the good work. I have seen Amsale as guest on the VIEW show, Rahel, etc…thank you all you made me feel proud.
Thank you Tadias Magazine and crew! It goes with out saying that you’re doing a wonderfully marvelous job representing all of us…and I am so grateful for it! Thank you from the heart!!
i love amsale she my hero