meet ELLA
Meet ELLA
I WAS ONCE THE GIRL I NOW DESIGN FOR
I know what it feels like to love where you came from, while building your life somewhere else.
I was a Filipina growing up away from the Philippines.
I was born and raised in Pampanga, Philippines. I went to school there, grew up there, and at 16, my family and I moved to New Zealand in search of a better life.
I love the Philippines. I love being Filipina. But New Zealand became home too.
For a long time, I felt like I was somewhere in between. I had built a life abroad, while still carrying a culture that would always be a part of me.
And I know so many Filipinas around the world understand exactly what that feels like.
I was a Filipina growing up away from the Philippines.
I was born and raised in Pampanga, Philippines. I went to school there, grew up there, and at 16, my family and I moved to New Zealand in search of a better life.
I love the Philippines. I love being Filipina. But New Zealand became home too.
For a long time, I felt like I was somewhere in between. I had built a life abroad, while still carrying a culture that would always be a part of me.
And I know so many Filipinas around the world understand exactly what that feels like.
FAST FORWARD
TO TODAY...
Maria Gabriela Couture started by creating different kinds of dresses. But over time, more and more women came to me for Filipiniana.
Eventually, I realised this was where we were needed.
There were Filipina brides around the world who wanted to honour their culture on their wedding day, but still wanted a dress that felt modern, flattering and like them.
So that became our focus.
Today, my team and I have created hundreds of dresses for women around the world, all from our little corner of New Zealand.
And somehow, my dresses have travelled more than I have.
FAST FORWARD
TO TODAY...
Maria Gabriela Couture started by creating different kinds of dresses. But over time, more and more women came to me for Filipiniana.
Eventually, I realised this was where we were needed.
There were Filipina brides around the world who wanted to honour their culture on their wedding day, but still wanted a dress that felt modern, flattering and like them.
So that became our focus.
Today, my team and I have created hundreds of dresses for women around the world, all from our little corner of New Zealand.
And somehow, my dresses have travelled more than I have.
ALL ABOUT
Helping Filipinas around the world feel proud of their roots on one of the biggest days of their lives.
NOT ABOUT
Settling for a Filipiniana you don't love just because it's “traditional.”
FUN FACTS
ABOUT ME
01
BEFORE FASHION, I WAS A STUDENT ATHLETE
Growing up in the Philippines, my life revolved around school and training. It taught me the discipline I still carry into everything I do today.
02
I THINK FASHION MAY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN IN MY FAMILY
My grandma sewed and once dreamed of having something of her own in fashion. She passed away when I was eight, so we never got to share that but now I get to continue a little piece of her dream.
I like to think she would be proud. ♡
03
I DIDN'T ACTUALLY START MGC AS A FILIPINIANA BRAND
I started by creating all kinds of dresses, but Filipina women kept finding me.
Eventually, Filipiniana wasn't just something we offered—it became what we were known for.
04
MY DRESSES HAVE TRAVELLED MORE THAN I HAVE
MGC dresses have travelled to brides across the US, Canada, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and beyond, sometimes reaching countries before I ever did.
That still makes me smile.
05
WE'VE CREATED HUNDREDS OF DRESSES IN FIVE YEARS
In five years, what started with me has grown into a team creating hundreds of dresses for women around the world.
There are many hands and a whole lot of care behind every MGC dress.