From a visit by esteemed British designer Julien Macdonald, to the next edition of the Malta Fashion Awards, Jo Caruana takes a look inside the island’s first dedicated Malta Fashion Week.
It’s not very long ago that the concept of a whole week dedicated to fashion in Malta seemed completely off the wall.
But with the Fashion Awards now in their 14th year, and more people than ever making their mark onthe local fashion world, the time seemed right to take things one step further. Enter Mercedez-Benz MaltaFashion Week.
The brainchild of Adrian Mizzi, the Diet Coke Malta Fashion Awards were first conceptualised in 1997, and designed to reward those working in the industry.
Year on year the event developed, honouring those who stand out for their creativity, excellence and dedication across the fields of modelling, photography, make-up and hair.
Today, Mizzi is more determined than ever to help Malta make its fashion mark on the world.
“Looking back, there have been struggles,” he says.
“But the highlights have been worth it, and have included plenty of airtime for the local awards show on the International Fashion Channel. Additionally, and most importantly, we have realised the dreams of numerous local artists by helping them showcase their work in a way that would otherwise be impossible.”
So, with many of his goals reached, Mizzi has now set his sights on bigger things, and last week marked the official launch of the first ever Malta Fashion Week during a chic party held at 2-22 in Valletta.
Today marks the first fashion event, Fashionable Weddings, held at the Radisson Blu Golden Sands.
This aims to platform fashionable wedding dresses and bridal accessories, and promises catwalk shows and the very latest international designs.
“It’s a chance for fashionable couples to bring themselves up to speed on the very latest wedding trends,” says Mizzi.
Meanwhile, The Fashion Collective is also being held today, with various fashion shows taking place over afternoon tea at the Grand Hotel Excelsior. Shows will be held from 5.30 to 7.30 p.m.
Tomorrow will see the dynamic pairing of one of Malta’s best-loved design teams, Charles and Ron, with contemporary music specialist Ruben Zahra for a dynamic evening of contemporary classical Maltese music and high fashion.
The repertoire selected includes music by internationally-renowned composers: Berio, McAllister,Ennio Morricone and Xenakis, as well as compositions by contemporary Maltese composers.
The programme features Duo Alterno from Italy and local ensembles Equinox Trio and Sarsaza Percussion ensemble. This invite-only event is part of a concert series bythe Malta Association forContemporary Music, and willsee the launch of C&R’s latestcollection.
This leads into a fashion exhibition at The Point from Tuesday to Saturday. Various local and foreign fashion photographers will be exhibiting more than 75 photos in this collective.
“This is the first time that so many fashion photographers are exhibiting their work together, and it also features items that have been designed in Malta – past, present and future,” says Mizzi.
“It will showcase dresses, hats and headpieces, hand-made jewellery, hand-made shoes and more.”
Staff from the University for the Creative Arts in the UK will be present to offer information and advice to those considering furthering their studies in the fashion industry.
Several other fashion shows will follow. Seven dresses designed by cancer survivor Lara Spiteri will be auctioned off to raise money for the Puttinu Cares Foundation at an event in Lija, while youth-oriented fashion and hair shows will take place in Paceville; both on Wednesday.
Others include a show by up-and-coming designers at the Corinthia Palace Hotel, and the Ferisani show at Casino Maltese, both of which have sold out.
A guaranteed highlight will be a visit by internationally-celebrated designer Julien Macdonald, who will be at Debenhams (The Point) on Saturday for the launch of his spring/summer 2011 Star andDiamond collections. The collections will also be on show at The Diet Coke Malta Fashion Awards that same evening.
“Of course, the culmination of the week’s events will be the Fashion Awards on Saturday,” says Mizzi.
“Once again, there will be three hours of brilliant entertainment, with everything from fashion shows to performances by top artists.
The Wella Young Talent and Colour Trend Vision Awards will take place again, with six nominees presenting their hair shows, and the respective gold, silver and bronze awards for both categoriespresented.
Awards will also be handed out to this year’s fashion winners and celebrating those who have helped to forward local industry in the last 12 months.
“It is so exciting to celebrate the wide-ranging achievements every year, but this year we are going a step further towards putting Malta on the global fashion map,”he adds.
For updated information and details of where and when each event will be taking place, as well as booking information, visit www.fashionweek.com.mt.