Mariska Alexandra
Hailing from the USA, Mariska Alexandra is a model and blogger, whose insider look into the fashion world is related on her blog with wit and insight.
A former child model, Mariska’s experience in the fashion industry is coupled with her love of writing, defying all stereotypes of models everywhere. 
Born in California, to an African American father and a Dutch mother, Mariska began her modeling career when she was discovered by John Robert Powers at the age of 8. During her time at the agency, Mariska appeared in adverts for "Smart Markers" and "Hershey's" as well as walking several fashion shows in New York. At the age of 11, Mariska stopped her young modeling career on the insistence of her mother, who feared for the psychological ramifications of being in the spotlight at such a young age.
At the age of 16, the pressures of high school led to Mariska developing anorexia. Through the support of her family, she overcame her eating disorder by studying philosophy and using her love of horses to develop her confidence. With a mother who was a former grand prix stadium jumper, dressage rider, and event rider, Mariska grew up around horses. A keen horsewoman since an early age, Mariska has competed professionally and continues to ride in her spare time.
After turning down a chance to follow a modeling career in New York, Mariska instead travelled to her mother's home country of Holland to study International Law at University College Utrecht. Upon graduating, Mariska decided to invest on her promising legal career by embarking on a Masters degree in International Business Law and Globalisation. Throughout her time at University, Mariska rode horses professionally and modeled in her spare time. Mariska has used her experience and knowledge of International Law to work for a number of charities and continues to campaign for human rights, environmental protection, and economic development.
Upon the completion of her Masters degree, Mariska made the very difficult decision to put her legal career on hold and follow her dream of being a top fashion model and writer. She moved to Paris and gained experience working among some of the key fashion houses in the city. Immersing herself completely in the fashion industry, and finding herself hanging out with up and coming designers and top models, Mariska created her own blog, http://mariskalexandra.com/, and set about educating the world on the hottest new style trends and names to watch.
Now based in London, Mariska has become one of the city's favourite bloggers, and a leading reporter on the trends, highlights and pitfalls in this ever changing industry. With a key eye for new designs, and enviable links with some of fashion's biggest names, Mariska is regularly sighted at London's catwalk shows and fashion parties. She has found that her experience in the modelling world coupled with her talent for writing and entrepreneurial spirit has given her the ability to give her readers a unique real insight into the glamorous world of fashion.