This is the sixth edition of Malta Fashion Week. How have things developed over the years?
The amount of interest being generated has always kept growing and, with the new format being introduced this year, we can look forward to more growth in the future.
Can you give us a sneak peak?
This year we have no less than 24 events lined up and are moving almost all of them to a fashion fortress concept at Fort St Angelo in Vittoriosa. For the first time, we will have multiple back-to-back shows every day, in different locations with different set-ups, all with the magnificent views of the Grand Harbour that only this venue can offer. This new scheduling will enable us to fit in more of the designers that are clamouring to participate.
What else is new?
The full events calendar is now available online and many bookings are coming in already. Apart from several artistic shows and exhibitions that the event has become synonymous with, for the first time this year we will be hosting three international, high-end designer labels made specifically for the curvy woman. This is a first for us and we are very happy to be breaking new ground here. Apart from that I cannot reveal too many details about specific collections, but both the Maltese and visiting designers are working very hard to make a good showing.
For the first time, we will have multiple back-to-back shows every day
What are the greatest challenges you face in putting this event together?
Without a doubt, the biggest challenge is to create this huge world-class event with the very limited budgets we are accustomed to here. When people that visit other fashion weeks come here, they are impressed with what we manage to achieve. Bearing in mind that all events are free of charge to the public, except the final Awards Night, it’s only thanks to a long list of loyal sponsors that all this is being made possible. If only we had better financial backing, I’m certain we would manage to achieve much more.
Exactly, how big is Malta Fashion Week?
Last year, we had over 10,000 people attending one or more of the events during the week. This, in itself, is already a huge number as most other fashion weeks around the world are normally reserved for the trade and do not see such attendance figures. In terms of online reach, we are breaking new records – last year we exceeded 1.2 million post clicks on Facebook and 3 million hits on the website within the week itself. Over the following weeks, these numbers kept on growing and the effect trickles for months after.
What is your biggest satisfaction from organising these events?
When I meet with other international fashion week organisers, they are truly impressed by what we are doing here. These are people who are not that easily impressed. However, my biggest personal satisfaction is to see the Made-in-Malta fashion brands reaching new heights of success in international markets. This applies to fashion designers, models, photographers and all other artists.
I’m not saying this success is all thanks to our work, far from it; but what we are doing here is creating an international platform to showcase Maltese talent... any success achieved in this sector gives me tremendous personal satisfaction.
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Malta starts on May 14 and culminates at the Chamilia Malta Fashion Awards on May 21.
www.maltafashionweek.com