Gioie 1978 Milano
Founded in Milan in the winter of 1978, Gioie 1978 began with vases and art objects, already characterised…
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30.09.2024 - 05.10.2024
Valletta
About
From September 30th to October 5th, 2024, designMT will take place across various iconic locations in Valletta, including the Auberge D’Aragon, Fortress Builders, Spazju Kreattiv, St John’s Cavalier, and the Valletta Design Cluster.
This first edition will feature four exhibitions each showcasing a diverse collection of contemporary design pieces, carefully selected for their blend of functionality, style, and cultural significance, reflecting modern living in a meaningful way.
The exhibitions will be complemented by thematic events that delve into contemporary design trends and innovative advancements, with discussions focused on the fields where design significantly shapes our daily experiences.
In addition to the exhibitors—an impressive mix of industry leaders and emerging talents—the events will target industry practitioners and other stakeholders with a vested interest in the themes being explored, inviting them to engage and contribute to the dialogue.
designMT is being organised by the Malta Crafts Foundation, with the support of Arts Council Malta, Heritage Malta, the Industrial Property Registrations Unit within the Commerce Department, Malta Digital Innovation Authority, and Malta Tourism Authority; and in collaboration with the Golden Glitch, Kamra tal-Periti, Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta Cultural Agency; and Lovin Malta as Media Partners.
Exhibition Venues
designMT is showcasing a diverse collection of contemporary design pieces through four exhibitions set up in iconic locations around Valletta.
Free entrance to all exhibitions.
Exhibitors
designMT will feature an impressive mix of industry leaders and emerging talents, each with their own perspective on contemporary design.
Stephen Cordina
Gozo-born Stephen Cordina is a qualified perfumer and clinical aromatherapist with a lifelong passion for creating fragrances from…
James Dimech
James Dimech is a Maltese paper artist and designer whose practice intersects sculpture, fashion, architecture and craftsmanship. Following…
Jane Birchall
Jane Birchall is a multidisciplinary artist working in sculptural ceramics and acrylic on canvas. Following a career in…
Alison Agius
Alison Agius holds a Diploma in Fine Arts and has developed a particular focus on life drawing and…
Thomas Woodruff
Thomas Woodruff is an American artist known for imaginative, intricately detailed paintings developed through complex narrative series. His…
Jihène Bouzguine / JOWA
Jihène Bouzguine is a Tunisian entrepreneur, international business leader and founder of JOWA, a luxury leather brand rooted…
Ruslana Grima
Ruslana Grima recently completed a B.A. in Fine Arts (Honours) at the University of Malta and is currently…
Marisa Zarb
Marisa Zarb is a mechanical engineer whose artistic passion developed into Peprin®, a jewellery brand reconnecting her with…
Tanja Roolfs
Tanja Roolfs is a German designer and master goldsmith who trained at the Staatliche Zeichenakademie Hanau. She has…
MCAST × Temasek Polytechnic
The Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) is Malta’s leading vocational education and training institution, with…
Tomoko Fait
Tomoko Fait is a Japanese artist whose diverse international path has shaped her creative practice. After serving in…
Nadège Renée Cassar x Alfie Gatt
Nadège Renée Cassar is an established contemporary jewellery artist whose practice combines traditional craftsmanship with modern design. Her…
Tea Japaridze
Tea Japaridze studied Applied Arts at the Apollon Kutateladze Tbilisi State Academy of Arts. Her practice centres on…
Sue Mifsud
Sue Mifsud is a Malta-based ceramics designer working from her Rabat studio. Her knowledge and experience draw on…
Janine Cardona
Janine Cardona is an educator, artist and jewellery maker who founded Janine Jewellery in 2021. Her practice combines…
Lina Zhou Yu x Joshua Yu
Lina Zhou Yu and Joshua Yu are designers who recently relocated from China to Malta. Before moving, they…
Inese Refalo, Zeltīte Upeniece & Francesca Puglisi
An international collective of artists, each contributing through a distinct medium and perspective, they form a cohesive dialogue…
Janice Mercieca / Kartelluni
Janice Mercieca founded Kartelluni in 2022, marking her transition from the structured world of finance into visual expression.…
Folla Création
Folla Création is a Tunisian brand specialising in bags and handcrafted objects made from natural fibres. Its work…
Jane Birchall x Aida binte Khalid
Jane Birchall is a multidisciplinary artist working in sculptural ceramics and acrylic on canvas. Inspired by Gozo, her…
Raymond Aquilina
Raymond Aquilina is an artist whose work bridges traditional mosaic craftsmanship with a contemporary approach. Using glass, marble…
Michelle Gialanze / Mixa Painting
Mixa Painting is Michelle Gialanze’s contemporary mixed-media practice, investigating portraiture through material disruption and layered surface construction. Working…
Maria Cutajar
Maria Cutajar is a Maltese fashion designer and academic whose practice centres on careful making and storytelling through…
Tamar Durglisvili
Tamar Durglisvili is a self-taught Georgian designer whose creativity is rooted in family traditions, human relationships and an…
Marylynn Naudi
Marylynn Naudi is an emerging Maltese artist primarily focused on realistic drawing and portraiture, using traditional media to…
Tara Lois Mansell
Tara Lois Mansell is a contemporary jewellery artist specialising in redesigning meaningful heirlooms and creating bespoke pieces for…
Katrin Formosa
Katrin Formosa began exploring ceramics and mosaic while living in New York in 1983. After returning to Gozo,…
Federica Zahra
Federica Zahra is a Product Design graduate from MCAST’s Institute for the Creative Arts. Her work is driven…
Nadia Haber
Nadia Haber is a Maltese ceramist whose work is largely inspired by nature, from pieces of wood, stones,…
Rebecca Grech
Becky Grech is a Maltese shoe designer, researcher and Senior Lecturer at MCAST Institute for the Creative Arts.…
Diego Mirabile, Jodie Sammut, Chayenne Gatt & Raquel Pace
Diego Mirabile, Jodie Sammut, Chayenne Gatt and Raquel Pace are undergraduate fashion design students and the winning team…
iGuzzini illuminazione
iGuzzini is an international lighting company dedicated to architecture and the development of lighting culture. For over 60…
Marco Parascandalo
Marco Parascandalo is a Maltese fashion designer and creative director of PARASCANDALO, the label he founded in 2014.…
Carlo Izzo / Izzo Carlo Jewelry
Carlo Izzo has worked as an artisan since 1984, creating hand-forged sculptural jewellery together with his children using…
Zelda designs
Zelda designs is a Maltese brand creating handcrafted jewellery and accessories that merge textile craftsmanship with contemporary design.…
Marcon Borg Caruana / Atelier Nineteen
Atelier Nineteen, founded by Maltese artisan Marcon Borg Caruana in 2011, is a wearable-art practice rooted in craftsmanship…
MCAST Institute for the Creative Arts
Second-year students from the Advanced Diploma in Fashion and Retail at the MCAST Institute for the Creative Arts…
Luke Bugeja Gauci
Luke Bugeja Gauci is an artist whose work examines the human dynamics of living and the social structures…
Sarah Camilleri x Roberta Micallef
Sarah Camilleri has refined her design and garment-construction skills through formal coursework and local atelier experience. With a…
Jake Brincat
Jake Brincat is a carpenter and Product Design student specialising in furniture design, with a focus on functional…
Luke Azzopardi x Mark Borg
Luke Azzopardi Studio approaches fashion as an art object, drawing on creative director Luke Azzopardi’s academic background in…
Alfie Gatt
Alfie Gatt is an award-winning Maltese multidisciplinary artist whose work blends figurative and surrealist approaches across traditional and…
Capt. Keith J. Caruana x Alda Bugeja
Capt. Keith J. Caruana is a retired Armed Forces of Malta officer turned leathercrafter, fashion designer and founder…
Thematic Events
Through the participation of industry stakeholders and practictioners invited to attend, designMT will explore contemporary trends and current challenges and opportunities in various aspects of design and its impact on our daily lives.
Interested in contributing to the discussion? Get in touch with us now!
Spatial Design
Defining Malta’s Built Identity
Is Malta’s built environment truly reflecting who we are today? In this topical debate, leading architects and designers will critically explore the current state of architecture and spatial design in Malta. We’ll dive into the cultural impact of contemporary projects, question whether our public and private spaces capture our evolving identity, and discuss the bold steps needed to ensure that our built environment preserves our heritage while powerfully expressing our shared values and future aspirations.
Moderated by Joeaby Vassallo, Architect, I+A Limited.
01.10.2024 – 18:00h-20:00h, followed by networking
Flavour by Design
The Making of Malta’s Culinary Identity
Ever wondered what truly goes into the food and drink we enjoy every day? designMT’s event offers a fresh look at the design processes behind Malta’s established and emerging food and beverage products. From concept to presentation, we’ll explore the decisions that shape the packaging and appearance of both packaged and fresh foods. Discover how design influences what we see—and taste—on our plates.
Moderated by Ivan Giordano, MasterChef Malta semi-finalist.
02.10.2024 – 18:00h-19:30h, followed by tasting session and networking
Digital Design
Technology: Friend or Foe?
With digital tools now an essential part of the contemporary designer’s and creative’s toolkit, designMT examines how digital platforms, AI, and advancements like 3D printing are reshaping the creative process. As the next step in design evolution, designMT provides insights into how these technologies are transforming creative work and offers a glimpse into the future of the design world. Discover how technology is redefining creativity and what it means for the future of art and design.
Moderated by David Grech Urpani, Lovin Malta.
03.10.2024 – 19:00h-21:00h, followed by networking
Fast Fashion
So Fast, It’s Already Out of Style?
As the world shifts away from fast fashion and toward more sustainable practices, designMT hosts a critical discussion on the moral and legal responsibilities of contemporary fashion designers. Malta’s leading fashion voices will explore how this changing mindset is influencing their design processes and reshaping the industry. The conversation will debate the future of fashion in a world increasingly focused on sustainability and ethical practices.
Moderated by Penny Apap Brown, Chamber of Fashion Malta Foundation.
04.10.2024 – 19:00h-21:00h, followed by networking
Partners
designMT is organised by the Malta Crafts Foundation, with the support of various collaborators.
