maRia aRistidou was born in Limassol, Cyprus.
In 1991she 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). maRia 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.

1998 found maRia aRistidou moving to Reading University, United Kingdom to attain her Masters degree and in 1999 she moved to London to work at Paul Costelloe as a stylist assistant.

In 2000 she moved back to Cyprus evolving into a full fletched designing freelance work for both men and women wear under the lines of maRis® and maRia aRistidou deSigns®.

Her work includes the following:

- July 2000, 1st maRia aRistidou fashion show, Limassol, Cyprus
- May 2001, 1st Spring-Summer Collection® launched exclusively at "BiTSi" store in Nicosia, Cyprus
- Summer 2001, 1st maRis® T-shirt collection based on unique art designs and embroideries.
- 2002-present, maRia aRistidou's freelance styling work is showcased at "Pafitis Fabric Haute Couture" Nicosia store, where she presents innovative and feminine ideas by styling new fashions on the window mannequins, using the latest fabrics from Milan and Paris.
- May 2003, 2nd maRis® T-shirt collection in-house presentation. The collection was based only on Japanese OBI decorated with embroidered beading.
- Novermber 2003, 3rd maRis® T-shirt collection "The Social Butterfly Event".
- March 2004, maRia aRistidou participated in the 4th Dance Platform-Dance Encounters organized by the Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture Services as a stylist and a costume designer for the Dance Production "Aphrodite-Goddess of Beauty and Love".
- June 6th, 2004 in cooperation with the Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends and the great support from her sponsors maRia aRistidou had her 1st Official Summer Collection "WoMen Protect Men". The fashion show was dedicated to the Association's campaign for male cancer. The charity event was honoured by the presence of the First Lady of Republic of Cyprus Mrs. Fotini Papadopoulou. The male cancer logo was designed by maRia aRistidou and was presented for the first time at the fashion show. A big THANK YOU to all that believed in her work and offered their services and sponsorships for the success of the fashion show
- July 2004, she participated in the "Circle, Energy, Unity" Young Artist's Exhibition at the Cultural Center of New S.P.E. Aglantzias in Nicosia.
- Winter 2005, maRia aRistidou's Winter collection presented in "BiTSi", Nicosia
- Summer in the City collection 2006 presented in Nikko, Nicosia.
- Galaxy fashion show 2007-08
- Paris Expo-Porter De Versailles, Autumn/Winter Collection 07-08
- “just me” Fashion show for UNICEF
- Summer Tshirt Collection 2007 for men and women “industrial me”
- "Social Butterflies" Summer T-Shirt Collections 2007