Meet M A H R Y S K A

One morning, while searching for articles about the recent Dubai Fashion Week S/S 11, I stumbled upon this fashion blog. At first, I thought she was Arabic or even European, but then when I was finally able to view her profile, I felt proud that she is actually a Filipina.

Mariyah Gaspacho, the woman behind m a h r y s k a, is a fashion blogger and a freelance photographer who has been living in Dubai since she was 7 years old. And now, she's conquering Dubai with her boho chic fashion style, and her undying passion for photography. She is everywhere. If not in the front rows of fashion shows and other fashion events, you can usually find her teaching photography for the members of OPPPS (Overseas Pinoy Professional Photographers Society), which she is a member of.

At the front row, Dubai Fashion Week S/S 2011

OPPPS Back to Basics Workshop

She officially started her blog a little over a year ago, and yet she has already been featured in magazines and blogs alike. She has been hailed as one of the top bloggers in the UAE by Harper's Bazaar Arabia, and has been featured in the Grazia magazine, Ahlan!Live, Ilustrado (to mention a few), several times. Blogs from all over the world has also acknowledged her talent and style.

Top Left Middle, featured in Grazia magazine

featured in Ahlan!Live.com

Harper's Bazaar  Arabia feature cover page

Harper's Bazaar Arabia

Aside from the numerous features, Mariyah has also worked with magazines like Grazia, In, and Ilustrado, and with fashion houses like the House of Rena. And don't get started about competitions. Our lovely gal here has also won a number of competitions like, Woman of Substance Photography Competition by the Ilustrado magazine (1st place), Focus on Faces by Gulf Photo Plus Competition (3rd place), to name a few.

House of Rena

Focus on Faces by Gulf Photo Plus Competition- 3rd place

Woman of Substance Photography Competition by the Ilustrado magazine-1st place

This Filipina beauty is indeed a talented and a passionate one when it comes to the two things she loves: Fashion and Photography. And she is truly blessed with all the opportunities that has come her way. I'm glad that she didn't let them pass. She has truly inspired me, which is why regardless of our different locations (I'm from Abu Dhabi and she's from Dubai), I just had to say that she is a true mazuona. I am also happy to know that we are not just connected by our passion for the same things, but also through the Filipino blood that runs in our veins as well. Keep rockin', Mariyah! We love you here at the Mazuona! ❤

*All photos are courtesy of Mariyah Gaspacho, taken from her blog and/or Facebook page. Please feel free to follow her by clicking on the links above.