M.I.A.

                  

                            

Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam (Tamil: மாதங்கி 'மாயா' அருள்பிரகாசம்) (born 17 July 1975), better known by her stage name M.I.A., is a British songwriter, record producer, singer, fashion designer, and artist of Sri Lankan Tamil origin.

Arulpragasam expressed an early interest in fashion and textiles —designing confections of "bright fluorescent fishnet fabrics"—and was a roommate of fashion designer Luella Bartley. In July 2008, she showcased some designs in a short video she made called Real Pirates of the Caribbean starring Okley Leslie, which she posted on her official website. Clothes from her limited-edition "Okley Run" line—Mexican and Afrika jackets and leggings, Islamic hoodies, and tour-inspired designs including "People Vs. Money Tour Tees" and "KALA Tour Tees" (T-shirts)—were sold in September 2008 at fashion-week Opening Ceremony shops in Los Angeles and New York in the United States and through her web store.