Sheenaz Fazreen, 23 and founder of the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) brand Maghrebi by Sheenaz Fazreen. Now that we have gotten that out of the way, I can tell you that I am just the regular girl next door but with a huge love for the MENA culture and everything that falls into it.

During my studies in England in the small corners of my dorm room, I dreamt of antique lost houses of clay filled with tiny bits of perfection, different languages with the most soothing sounds and oasis’s that gives hope and inspiration. All the little things that makes the earth beautiful. Its raw sights that makes it complete and the wonderful cultures that unites the world somehow. I wanted to experience it all.

As the millennials says “YOLO”, I didn’t just want to sit around and daydream. I wanted to get out there, chase after it and experience it all. And there was only one thing I could do: TRAVEL.

But before we continue, I would like to paint you a picture, an ordinary one. Imagine graduating college, getting the right nine to five, fitting the perfect profile. And to be fair, why wouldn’t you? It is the admirable path to pursue, right? For some it’s the ideal situation, the definition of accomplishment and happiness. However, to me it felt like being stuck in an idea of contentment, only to realize that happiness is but far of a destination. In my humble opinion, it all comes down to one thing: If you do something that you do not love you will always reach a stagnant stage where you’re going to dread waking every morning or are constantly looking forward to the weekends.

So, there I went jetting off to fuel my burning desires. Out to seek an adventure to gain an experience as well as an understanding for the certain aspects life should offer. It was a holiday trip that turned into an inspirational trip. I was speechless by their architecture mostly, in awe at their exquisite styles and cheerful colors. The intricacies and beauty in the geometric patterns that many Islamic influenced countries carry as well as their traditional designs was what won my heart over. I absorbed inspiration from every nook and cranny that my senses could see, feel and taste.

I adored every minute aspect of the Arabian and African fashion. Simply blown away by the stunning and complex designs that plays between modern and traditional. It delivered a stage presence while presenting a modest yet fashionable outlook.

Every time I left there, I could not stop thinking about the fine silks and cotton floral embroidery. The one of a kind tagines that’s so flavorful and ambrosial, it satisfies your taste buds. The handmade woven Persian rugs that felt remarkable against your skin due to its fine quality and complex texture and the many jaw dropping geometric prints that’s filled with complex patterns and colors.

With the passion I had for these cultures, I knew there was a gap needed to be filled. I wanted to bridge the gap of stereotypical views that still exists. Ultimately the goal is to create, inspire and educate the masses through fashion and home décor collections with the stories I’m telling and to reach it out to as many people as possible.

Just like guru Mahatma Gandhi said: ‘You must be the change you want to see in the world’. As countless MENA related adventures await, for now I’m hoping to soak up and bestow as much of this goodness as one possibly can. But before I say goodbye, here’s a little hint for the next post: FOOD! If you have a passion for food, you might want to stay tune. Till then, our lips are sealed…