An international event, ‘Blue Fashion for Blue Growth’, aimed to make fashion and the maritime industry more sustainable, was recently held in Malta. Nordic Atlantic Cooperation adviser Morten Stemre spoke about the concept behind the event, saying its aim was also to create new income generators for the maritime industry. Environment Minister José Herrera addressed everyone present and commended the initiative.
The event saw a number of designers and business owners presenting case studies. Among these were Marianne Mørck, one of the co-founders of the Norwegian label Mørck, which advocates for natural and traditional materials, and Dominique Benzaken from the Seychelles, who spoke about Kreolor, a jewellery brand using gold and local natural products.
Malta’s own designer Sam Selby presented her own collection of jewellery made from sea sediment, following which the three finalists from the international Blue Fashion Challenge – held in August in Norway – presented their collections.
The aim of the challenge was to encourage designers from Nordic countries to contribute to a more sustainable textile industry by promoting the use of materials bio-based and abundant in marine environments.
The ‘Blue Fashion Challenge’ winner, Sissal Kristiansen from the Faroe Islands, presented her collection. Shisha creates items that focus on sustainability and the environment.
“Whether it is knitwear, accessories, bags or home accessories, every product has its roots in a culture – the Faroese, the Japanese, the Greenlandic or whatever culture and people inspired me – but the aesthetic guideline will always have the final say,” Ms Kristiansen said.
Blue Fashion Challenge finalists Korbrun Yr Gunnarsdottir, founder of Korbrun from Iceland, and Louise Lynge, founder of Nuuk Couture from Greenland, also presented their ‘Blue Fashion’ collections.
The presentations were followed by a reception at the Caviar & Bull restaurant of the Corinthia San Ġorġ.
Anna Marie Galea, Caroline Paris, Daniel Azzopardi, Dorianne Mamo, Tamara Webb and Stephanie Scerri Agius.
Davinia Mallia Pulé, Francesca Pace and Carla Grima.
Designer Sam Selby (centre) with models Lorena Jamarillo and Kayley Riolo.
Sissal Kristiansen with Marie Benoit.