MFWA2017 | Day 1 | Neo Classical Cupolas, Mystical Branches, Ballerinas and Unforgivably Sexy Dresses

Yesterday saw a spectacular opening to this year's edition of the Malta Fashion Week with 4 stunningly beautiful presentation from 4 very different designers.

The first show comes courtesy of Rose Marie Abela and her collection entitled La Cupola for AW17. The collection is inspired by the Mosta Dome, the Maltese skyline and the Neo Classical period and is aimed towards the woman that knows how to express her individuality through fashion. The colour palette for this collection was quite understated yet striking at the same time - monochrome with accents of gold and navy blue, all in refined fabrics and exceptional detailing, perfect for the more sophisticated clothing we tend to reach for during the winter months. 

Lead Make-Up artist: Elaine Galea

Assistants: Karen Decelis, Claire Grech, Leonie Buhagiar, Henry Galea, Moni Torok

Lead Hair Stylist: Flavia Attard

Assistants: Katleen Saliba, Adrian Attard, Gary Westacott, Bernice Catania

Photos: Justin Ciappara

Next, it was Yana Azzopardi's turn to debut her jewellery collection, Mystical Branches. The collection is on display in one of the outer rooms at Fort St. Elmo and can be viewed all throughout Fashion Week. The necklaces are displayed in frames hung from tree branches to represent the theme of the collection which is actually inspired by Gustav Klimt's famous mural 'The Tree of Life'. One of the painting's interpretations is the correlation between Earth, life and the after world - a concept which we can all relate to. Yana uses eccentric rope designs to represent the tree's trunk and roots while gold wire-wrapping symbolizes the branch spiraling details from the painting. 

Photos: Ronald Camilleri

Gustav Klimt's The Tree of Life - gustavklimt.com

The third show for the night was Pas de Deus by Sarah Caruana Dingli. The presentation opened with a ballerina dancing in a white and gold dress and heavy makeup which reminded me of the movie 'Black Swan'. This collection is inspired by ballerinas and Sarah's passion for art and fashion. In fact, the collection features elegance, poise and beauty, albeit with a touch of strength and endurance of the practice ballerinas undertake. The pastel colour palette accentuated by the dark tones give the collection an edgy yet elegant feel.

Lead Makeup Artist: Moises

Assistants: Kelly Cassar Torreggiani and Christine Gauci

Lead Hairstylist: Bernice Catania

Assistants: Katleen Saliba, Flavia Attard, Adrian Attard and Gary Westcott

Photos: Luke Testaferrata Moroni Viani

Finally, it was time for the much awaited show by Nilara - Unforgiven. If you thought last year's collection from Nilara was out of the ordinary, think again! The designer has outdone herself yet again with this collection of extravagant dresses that go beyond sexy. In red and black, the colours of seduction, and featuring strategic slits and cut-outs, the collection has proved to be a spectacular one.

Lead makeup artist: Elaine Galea
Assistants: Rodianne Caruana, Henry Galea, Petra Abdilla, Moni Torok, Martina Bezzina, Fabienne Bezzina, Christine Gauci, Marilyn Caruana, Kelly Cassar Torreggiani, Marilyn Montanaro, Marina Muscat, Cristina Moncholi, Christelle Lays.
Lead hairstylist: Gary Westcott
Assistants: Katleen Saliba, Flavia Attard & team, Adrian Attard

Photos: Justin Ciappara

This is it for Day 1! Check back later for tonight's shows!

Event | Stil @ Kwalita' Malta 2016 - The Fashion Show

Last Friday I had the pleasure to attend a fashion show organized by the Malta Fashion Week & Fashion Awards organisation at the Kwalita' Malta Fair at the MFCC grounds in Ta' Qali. The fair will be open all throughout this weekend and it celebrates everything that Malta produces basically. Of course, the pavilion that interests me the most is the Fashion Pavilion (pictures below by Mark Soler) which is currently hosting a selection of work from local fashion designers. I must say it is beautifully setup and you are bound to appreciate it even if you're not that much of a fashion person.

A fashion show under the patronage of Mrs. Michelle Muscat, spouse to our Prime Minister, was organized to mark the opening of the fair and a small sample from the work of 16 local designers was showcased. Models were from Supernova Model Management. Here are pictures of the work of all designers, captured brilliantly by Mark Soler.

Gaetano

Jewellery by Sam Selby, Shoes & Bags by DESIREE

Parascandalo

Sarah Caruana Dingli

Nilara

Carla Grima Atelier

Ritienne Zammit

Creative Factory 7

Nathan Micallef

La Rossa Designer Headpieces

Rosita

Rosemarie Abela

Maria Cutajar

Malcolm Cremona

Nadege Renee Cassar

Lastly, for the second part of the fashion show, we were presented with yet another exquisite collection from Cessani Fashion, the Presidential Collection. Here are more pictures to feast your eyes on, again all photos are by Mark Soler, models for this brand were from Models M.

Well done to all of the designers for such creative work! It's good to see such initiatives where local talent is given an opportunity to be seen and appreciated.

Kwalita' Malta is open between the 11th and 13th of November and is hosted at the MFCC Grounds in Ta' Qali.