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Stephen Cordina

Our Lady of Pilar Chapel

Gozo-born Stephen Cordina is a qualified perfumer and clinical aromatherapist with a lifelong passion for crafting fragrances from natural ingredients and molecules. Since 2000, he has studied in the UK, Switzerland, and France under master perfumers and cosmetic scientists. In 2020, he became the first Maltese member of the Société Française des Parfumeurs. Renowned locally and internationally, Stephen is celebrated for his innovative perfumes, colognes, and scented products, each meticulously composed to weave together history, ingredients, character, and name into distinctive, evocative, and carefully constructed scents.

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Glen Calleja

Our Lady of Pilar Chapel

Glen Calleja is a bookbinder, writer, and multidisciplinary artist whose practice explores poetry as process and the book as object. His work often incorporates alternative book structures, found content, and performative elements. He runs Kotba Calleja, an artisanal bindery dedicated to traditional bookmaking techniques, and is co-founder of Studio Solipsis as well as president and co-founder of Fondazzjoni HELA, which advocates for the Maltese literary sector. Calleja has received several awards for his literary and artistic contributions.

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Kety Kaviladze

Fortress Builders

Kety Kaviladze is a self-taught artist whose work carries hidden emotion and a distinct visual language that for years she shared without using her name. Her journey began seven years ago alongside her granddaughter Nutsi, whose curiosity and encouragement sparked Kety’s creative path. Since then, painting has become an integral part of her life, filling her days with colour, warmth, and humanity. Influenced by the watercolour master Yuri Skrynnikov and further trained in glass art at the Tbilisi Art Academy, Kety embraces every opportunity to exhibit, continually seeking growth, new challenges, and ways to share beauty with those around her.

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MCAST Institute for the Creative Arts

Fortress Builders

Students from the MCAST Institute for the Creative Arts are showcasing their work at designMT, representing two courses within the school. Second-year students from the Advanced Diploma in Fashion and Retail are presenting their final major projects, marking the culmination of two years of study in fashion illustration, textile design, pattern drafting, garment construction, and fashion retail. Alongside them, students from the Advanced Diploma in Art and Design are contributing diverse creative works that reflect their multidisciplinary training. Their collective participation highlights MCAST’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent and bridging education with real-world creative industry experience.

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NemNem

Our Lady of Pilar Chapel

Joe and Alessia Galea are the father–daughter duo behind NemNem Candle, a brand born from creativity during the quiet days of Covid. What began as a small idea has grown into a local name known for its thoughtful blend of tradition, artistry, and sustainability. Each piece is handmade with care, reflecting their artisanal spirit, eco-conscious values, and appreciation for local design. Guided by originality, they create concepts that feel both fresh and timeless, adding warmth and character to any space. Their work has been embraced locally and abroad, celebrated for its authenticity, craftsmanship, and heartfelt family touch.

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Eszter März

Our Lady of Pilar Chapel

Eszter März is a multidisciplinary artist and designer from Hungary, currently based in Malta. With a background in Textile Design (BA) and Engineering Management (MSc), her work bridges traditional craftsmanship with contemporary concepts. Her work explores the intersection of art, fashion, and everyday life, often drawing on themes from art history, cultural identity, nature, and visual storytelling. Her recent projects reflect a deep curiosity about the connection between her Hungarian roots and her life in Malta, explored through the symbolic lifecycle of the Hummingbird Hawk-Moth – a creature found freely in both countries, embodying themes of migration, transformation, and continuity.

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Gabriel Grima, Sarah Camilleri, Abigail Farrugia, Martin Gomez, and Jelena Milanovic

Fortress Builders

The AmbiWear team is a multidisciplinary group of five individuals from diverse backgrounds, each contributing unique skills and perspectives. Gabriel Grima is a fashion graduate with hands-on experience in the industry, particularly in creative pattern cutting. Sarah Camilleri is an environmental scientist and passionate sewist with a growing interest in fashion design. Abigail Farrugia is a graphic designer with a strong passion for sewing, fashion, and sustainability. Martin Gomez also comes from a graphic design background and runs his own sewing and repair business. Jelena Milanovic is an economist and entrepreneur who manages her own fashion brand.

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Gabriella Lukacs

Our Lady of Pilar Chapel

Gabriella Lukacs is a Malta-based designer and maker celebrated for her dedication to sustainability, craftsmanship, and the preservation of heritage techniques. Her work explores the intersection of fashion, art, and nature, producing one-of-a-kind accessories that combine elegance with thoughtful design. Often created using upcycled materials and traditional methods, Gabriella’s pieces are timeless and poetic, reflecting a deep respect for artisanal heritage while engaging a contemporary audience.

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Jane Birchall

Our Lady of Pilar Chapel

Jane Birchall is a ceramic and visual artist whose work has been exhibited in the UK and the Maltese islands, with permanent pieces on display at the Arthall Gallery. Her creations are part of private collections across Europe, London, the UAE, and the USA. Working primarily in stoneware using traditional hand-building techniques, Jane draws inspiration from the textures, colours, and forms of the Maltese coast. She incorporates natural tools and motifs from traditional Gozo lace and crochet to create textured, eroded surfaces. Her contemporary acrylics on canvas often serve as dynamic backdrops for her ceramic pieces.

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Josef Camilleri

Our Lady of Pilar Chapel

Josef Camilleri’s passion for music and guitars led him to establish Cross Guitar Works, where he builds and repairs instruments for local bands. A standout project was redesigning and crafting a Harp Guitar used in traditional Għana performances, also known as Tal-Qrun or Tat-Tromba. Based in Qormi, Josef studied the techniques of renowned guitar maker and Għana musician Indri l-Pupa, learning the intricacies of his distinctive instruments. Committed to innovation, Josef updates traditional guitar-building methods, enhancing materials, playability, and sound quality while preserving the instrument’s cultural heritage.