Stand Out ♥

Photography by Rodel Corpuz
Hair and Make up by Kris Napenas
Model: Icee Codilla

Finally. It has arrived. The fruit of everything I've worked hard for the past few months is finally here. :) These are just 2 pieces from my first-ever collection entitled, STAND OUT. The full collection will be available for sale at Si Fashion Galerie, Jumeirah, Dubai starting from the 25th of May. ♥ 

Official invitation to the exhibit on WEDNESDAY
Drop a line on my email for any inquiries: themazuona@gmail.com

An invitation entitles the guest to a 20% discount on ALL ITEMS in the boutique valid until JULY 31, 2011 :)

The past few months have been a really crazy roller coaster ride for me. I can't put into exact words how I felt during the time, and I can only wish that I was able to document each moment. Regardless, I have learned so much from the whole experience. And I can't wait to start anew. It's not yet the end, but I just want to express my never-ending gratitude to all of you.

Thank you to all the people who has supported me along the way! Starting off with my parents who, despite all the misfits and mishaps, stayed with me all the way. I hope that whatever comes out of this, I have made you proud. ♥

To my Seoul sister and little brother, who I have put in so much stress by going back and forth to Dubai during a weekday (exam week, i might add), thank you! ♥

To my family here in Abu Dhabi and in the PH, thank you for showing your love and support! Lolo, Lola, Titas, Titos, and my cute, not-so-little-anymore cousins, thank you for always standing by me. Can't wait to see you all! Wish you were all here. ♥

Friends from all over the world who have also showed their support, thank you! PH Friends: too many to mention but you guys know who you are! See you all soon! :) ABU DHABI Friends: KIC Family (friends, classmates, teachers), Prestige Jet family, family friends, thank you for the never-ending support! My lovely Manal BB and Tagy, thank you for letting me cry when I need to. :) My lovely Mercilita, Fatima, Khaled, and Ittaf: you guys are the best second family I could ever ask for. Thank you for always being there. ♥


To my Yeobo who, despite the distance and time zone differences, has never left my side. I'm so glad to have found a friend in you. Saranghamnida. ♥ :)

To Kuya Rodel, Ate Kris, and Ate Icee: Without you, these people right here wouldn't know this collection existed. Haha. Photos look amazingl if it weren't for all of you. I hope to work with you again soon! All the best! ♥

To the management and staff of SI FASHION GALERIE, thank you for giving me this opportunity! I have learned a lot from the experience and I will strive to be better from now on. Thank you again for opening your doors to emerging designers like myself. All the best to you! :)

Yes I have to mention, to SHINee, B2ST, U-Kiss, and Super Junior. Thank you for your music. Haha. You are my inspiration. Without your music, I wouldn't be able to go through this. ♥ Onew, Jonghyun, Key, Minho, and Taemin, thank you for pushing me to reach for my dreams. Thank you for making me fly high. :)

To my Heavenly Father who has given me the strength to go on despite the obstacles I need to face. Thank You for always picking me up when I fall down and urging me to go on, because You are the light. Thank You for this talent and passion. But most of all, thank you for blessing me with all the people I have mentioned above. I love You Lord. :)

And to you Mazuona, this is for you. ♥ :)

What Carrie Bradshaw made me do

Where to begin?

I cannot begin to tell you how much I owe Carrie Bradshaw for this blog. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't have the guts to come out of my shell and do the things I love. True, I've always been and always am inspired by a lot of things. But it was her, it was really her that made me do this.

It was September 3 of this year, a week before my birthday, and I just put down the current book that I was reading, The Carrie Diaries. It is the book before the whole Sex and the City started, kind of like a prequel. Carrie Bradshaw was still a senior in high school, coping and getting by just how teenagers should be. And I guess the reason why the whole Sex and the City franchise never appealed to me is because it wasn't for my age group. It was for independent, stylish, and confident 20-something women. I was just an eighteen-year old girl.

But much like everyone else, Carrie Bradshaw was a teenager too. She has experienced what every teenager should experience/is experiencing. Insecurities, lack of confidence, girl friend problems, and of course, boy dramas. And I guess along the way, it was what made Carrie Bradshaw who she is. She wasn't immediately the Carrie Bradshaw that we look up to right now. She was still raw with lots of potential but still lacked experience. But, she knew what she wanted to be, and she didn't let anyone tell her that. And that was something.

My birthday was coming up, and I was about to turn nineteen. At the time I was reading the book, I was wondering what I could do for the last teen year of my life that I will remember forever. So that when I look back, I could be proud of something I did when I was younger. I could tell the world that I didn't miss the chance to do what I love to do. And that's when Carrie Bradshaw enters my life. I put down the book, and I knew what I had to do.

I wanted to be like her. I guess it doesn't matter what I will do. But like her, I wanted to write. What matters was that I would remain confident, independent, and stylish while doing it. And then I thought about the women of this city I see everyday. They are all Carrie Bradshaws in their own ways. And I wish other people would see that too.

I've learned a lot of things from her, both fashion-related and not. But what I would always bear in mind whenever I think of her is her character. No pun intended. She's just confident, and treats everyday as an adventure. She's fearless. She's never afraid to try new things. She's got character. She has grown. She grows. And that was how I imagined a true mazuona to be like.

And good lord, she dresses up good! Even without speaking, her character is reflected with how she wears her clothes. But forget the clothes, the shoes, the make up, the labels, and the prices. I think that if she dresses up in the most plain clothes without makeup, her character would still shine through. Why? It's her confidence.

And that my dear ladies, will never go out of style. It will forever be the greatest accessory of a woman. :-)

So, get out there and try out something new. Do something that you've been wanting to do since forever, but never got around to doing it. Try a new hobby. Get lost, and find your way back. Abu Dhabi is such a great place to try out new stuff. Go somewhere that you haven't been to before. Ditch the mall and head over to the shops by the streets, and you'll be surprised how style can be easily found everywhere.

Each day is an adventure, another opportunity to do stuff and to dress up. Be bold and beautiful. Don't hold anything back.

And no matter what happens, just be you. Not Carrie Bradshaw. Not anyone else. Just you. :-)

Kismet

 First of all, sorry for posting this late! Something came up so I failed to finish it last night. Anyway, yesterday was one of the most heartbreaking days of fashion ever. I went to the Abu Dhabi Mall to pick up my newly-purchased Nikkor 50mmf1.8 lens, and to check out the LANVINXH&M Collection as well. But much to my dismay, the sales people of H&M told me that the collection was sold out within the first hour. :( It was really sad. I really wanted to get the shirts and the blazer.

I spotted Hessa at the H&M entrance. We actually went inside at the same time, and asked for the Lanvin Collection. We were both flabbergasted about what happened. And then her gilet caught my eye. I just had to ask her if I could take a couple of photos. We ended up talking about everything from the Lanvin collection, Abu Dhabi's fashion scene, Twitter and Tumblr accounts, and even cameras. She was really nice to talk to. And I'm so happy that I met her! So, this entry's for you Hessa! :-)

Hessa Al-Khalifa, 23

 

Bag: Alexa/Mulberry

Ooh, what's that on her hand? Is that the official The Mazuona business card? ;)

Fell in love with her gilet from Sinequanon!

Lovely earrings too!

Spotted this Malaysian lady by the H&M store also :-)

 

 

 

I guess I could say that my first 'Tuesdays with Mazuonas' went well. See you again next week for more 'Tuesdays with Mazuonas'!

Keep Calm and Carrie On

Keep Calm and Carrie On by themazuona featuring rhinestone jewelry

If it was summer, and it wasn't too cold to wear a white summer dress, then I'd bet that a lot of Abu Dhabi fashionistas would be channeling their inner Carrie Bradshaw and donning on this beauty with those knock-you-dead-heels, and that McQueen clutch. Well, I would.

I've always loved Carrie's style whether she's wearing it down or up. And I believe that it's not just her dress that gives off the stylish vibe, it's her confidence. After all, it is the greatest accessory. And Carrie Bradshaw sure is nailing it. :-)

This won't be the last that you'll see of her. Watch out for a full entry on Carrie Bradshaw at next Sunday's Style-spiration! :-)

HAPPY FIRST MONTH, THE MAZUONA! ❤

I can't believe that this blog has reached the end of its first month! What with all those blogger's blocks I've experienced along the way, I actually thought that I would just end up closing this after a few entries. :-)

But, A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who supported me, for without all of you I wouldn't be motivated and inspired to continue what I'm doing.

To start off, I would like to thank my family who has endured so many nights of tinkering keyboard sounds,and shuffling feet. I know how you guys must be annoyed every time you wake up at two in the morning to the sound of my typing and the lights in the other room still on. I'm really sorry. My ideas are really best 'cooked' at night. ;-) But still, thank you for the undying support, and the comfort of having a home to go to at the end of every day, and let's not forget the delicious home-cooked meals. :-) And most importantly, thank you for the love. :) I love you guys forever and always!

And how could I forget my family back in Manila who, despite the distance, has managed to extend their love and support through visiting and promoting this page, 'liking' my Facebook photos and the page, and all the comments! Thank you guys! You make me miss you all the more. I love you!

To all of my friends in Manila who have shown their support by visiting and liking the page as well, thank you very much! I miss you guys. And I hope that we don't have this distance, so I can take photos of all of you everyday. I miss hanging out with you! I wish I could tick off your names one by one, but you are just too many to mention. Haha! :-p Love you guys!

Of course, to all my friends in Abu Dhabi and Dubai (my Prestige Jet Titas and Titos, Khawarizmi Friends and Fashion Design Classmates, Family Friends, Friends in the Photography and Fashion Industry of the Middle East) who has pushed me to do this, you all are my inspiration. Thank you for the never-ending support! You know who you guys are! Thank you for the encouragement, motivation, and the inspiration! Without you, The Mazuona will not be what it is now. I love you all! :-)

And of course to my readers/followers/blog friends, thank you for making my days a little bit brighter with the increasing number of traffic! I promise more interesting blog content and less blogger's blocks. Hopefully. ;-) I hope you continue to support this blog! You guys are amazing! Remember that this blog lives for you. :-)

To my heavenly Father, thank You for this opportunity. Thank You for blessing me with all these wonderful people who continue to support my dream. Without me, this blog is nothing. Without you, I am nothing. I love You, Lord. :-)

So, I guess that's it. I hope the cupcake is real though, so we can truly celebrate. I wish I could give each and every one of you cupcakes! But for now, I hope that lots and lots of virtual hugs and kisses would suffice! Let's hope for many cupcakes and many more months (and eventually years!) to come. Cheers! :-)


Always love,
Eura❤

True Identity

I took this photo of Tagy a few weeks back when this blog was still in the making. We were in a park near their house in the Tourist Club Area. It was a good day, and the sun was out. So, we decided to have a mini-shoot.

The hijab or the head wrap, represents a woman's respect and undying devotion to Islam. As I have learned from my Islamic Culture class, a Muslim woman must cover her awra, which means secret place or something sacred. A woman's awra is her whole body, except for her face, hands, and feet. Therefore, she must wear decent clothing to cover those parts at all times, except when she's at home.

In Abu Dhabi, you will see a lot of women still abiding by this tradition. And I guess, it is what marks them for who they are. It has become their identity. But traditional as it is, some of them found ways to keep the tradition while still looking modern.

Tagy is one example of many women who found a way to bend this tradition a little bit. Instead of wearing the traditional abaya, she wore a sleeveless top above a black, long-sleeved shirt, and black pants. A lot of young women wear something similar to this. Their inner shirt would usually match their hijab. And instead of jeans or pants, they would wear long skirts or maxi dresses.

Here are some shots I took of Tagy that day. And yes, they have to be in black and white. ;-) I would probably say that these photos are one of my favorites, and that they would definitely go in my portfolio!

Oh, don't think I've forgotten again! Happy Birthday, Tagy! Hope you have a good one! :-)

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.

Mazuonas at the Dubai Fashion Week S/S 11

In events like these, what the people are wearing off the runway are in every bit as important as those that are on the runway. If any, they are more important in my opinion. So, let's not forget the mazuonas who graced this event with their presence.

From O magazine, Oprah Winfrey's official magazine

with the sweet Nasrine Dechahe, wearing one of her creations, in the middle

From Paris with Love
These French girls prove that the French are really very stylish. :)

Yes, my homegirl Mercy! She got her locks on! A true African queen :)

The Max Marketing Team
Great show, guys! Congratulations!

L-R: Itaf Adnan, a fashion designer from Abu Dhabi and a friend of mine,
Mercy Lamosi Imoudu, part-time model and full-time friend ;)

Sonia Kashmiri from Alter Ego
I just love her bold accessories!

From Nova Krishnan
A very classy way to wear the classic men's shirt

With a male model, Falak

Falak and Mercy :)

Hailed as the Style Queen of Dubai, Kelly Lundberg
It was really a pleasure to meet you Kelly! I hope I can feature you in my blog soon!
*Check out her website: www.divine.ae

And her amazing shoes!

Kristen Romain of Tilly and Pinch
I really love your bags! I hope I can also feature you here soon!
*You guys, check out more of her delicious bags at www.tillyandpinch.com!

The Mazuonas of Dubai
It was nice to meet all of you! You're all so cool! I hope I can bump into you guys in the coming shows. :)

The ladies of Shrekahnth

Shrekahnth's Alexander McQueen-inspired dress

Me with Kelly Lundberg :)

The one and only, Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti
CEO and Founder of Vivre

Nancy from the HR Agency
I love the ensemble! Very stylish and still comfy!

Loving the bag!

Cristina Franco of Tipsy Gipsy Dubai
*Check out her shop located at Souq Quary Al Beri in Abu Dhabi

The lovely Irena Trajkova of Arab Bella Design
*Is peach and orange the color of the season? I've been seeing a lot of ladies wearing these colors lately.
They're definitely rocking it.

Thank you for giving us the media passes! I couldn't have done it without you! :)

Shoes, shoes, and more shoes!

 

My outfit for the night :)

This day was tiring yet fulfilling. My eyes were very satisfied with all the stylish people I saw, and the creations that the designers has showcased in the shows. It was really worth the two-hours trip. I really wish I was able to come on the last day. It was great meeting everyone, and I learned a lot from each of them, photographers, stylists, and fashion designers alike. The fashion industry is really exciting, and I'm looking forward to being part of it in the near future. More power to everyone!