Five Years Of Malta’s Chamber Of Fashion: How Malta’s Fashion Industry Has Been Pushing The Line For Local Designers
Yesterday, the Malta Chamber of Fashion celebrated their fifth anniversary since their inauguration at the Malta Chamber of Commerce by the Minister for Justice, Owen Bonnici.
The MCoF is an NGO run by professionals from within the fashion industry who are dedicated to promoting culture and education through their line of work.
During its conception in 2014, the Chamber signed a protocol with the Italian Cultural Institute to initiate collaboration with Italy’s industries. This was then further reinforced in 2015 when the Chamber brought over a number of high-end Italian designers to Malta’s shores.
In June 2019, the Chamber worked together with the Malta Tourism Authority to endorse a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ to further the effect of already existing collaborations, promoting local fashion through culture abroad, attracting a new line of tourism into the island.
Last Saturday, the Chamber presented yet another event at the Chamber of Commerce where a new president was nominated – Dorianne Mamo.
Speaking to Lovin Malta of the weekend’s events, Dorianne praised the team behind the anniversary celebration with a special mention to Events Director Ms Chetcuti and Academic Director Ms Apap Brown for coordinating the event.
The Chamber has also been working hand-in-hand with the Ministry for Education, having initiated a number of events and workshops within MCAST. The Chamber has also been aiding secondary schools in the set up of fashion education studios, with events that included lectures from foreign experts, costume designers and sustainable fashion insiders.
In July of 2018, Rebecca Licco – a student from Accademia Italiana di Arte e Moda – spent a whole month on an international placement working with Maltese designers Charles & Ron. In return, three students from Malta were sent to Italy on their own placement.
Designers from South Africa, Italy, Croatia and Malta have all come together to participate in The Chamber’s shows at the Verdala Palace gardens, too.
Following the first participation and creation of an agreement for Maltese designers to participate in the World of Fashion at Alta Roma by the Chambers Founder, James Dimech was given the opportunity to exhibit his collection ‘Elizabeth: a journey to ethical elegance’ at World of Fashion during Rome Fashion Week.
Six teams from five different schools participated in Trash Fashion, a fashion show held by WasteServe as part of the company’s Don’t Waste Waste campaign. DIZZ Group, who represent multiple international fashion brands in Malta, donated a grand prize of €1000 to the winning team.
The Chamber has said that it will continue to strive to achieve its goals in education and culture through fashion, “as its founder (Dr Juliana Scerri Ferrante) always stated ‘fashion is culture’, and education develops this culture, and it this culture which in turn promotes and attracts tourism”.