maRia aRistidou

Born in Limassol, Cyprus, Maria attended a four-year Bachelor of Commerce degree in Management and Economics, in Industry and Finance at the University of Guelph, Canada. The first degree was followed with a Masters Degree in Career Guidance, at the University of Reading, United Kingdom.

From the early years of her studies in Economics she discovered and developed, with a great persistence as a self-learner, her passion for fashion design.

In June 1996, after her first-degree graduation, she returned to Cyprus to work as an assistant manager at a well-known franchise-clothing store. In early 1997, after her parents' and friends' encouragement, she competed in CyMode'97 (a competition for young Cypriot fashion designers organized by the Cyprus Chambers of Commerce).

 

Aristidou was the only self-learner among the 16 contestants that participated in the competition. Her catwalk presentation of 3 outfits won 2nd place. In 1997, the designer attended one-year long night classes at "Katrin Fashion Designing School" in Limassol, Cyprus where she was introduced to patterning and cutting.