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Becky Grech

Fortress Builders

Becky Grech, Bx, is a Maltese shoe designer, educator, and researcher. She discovered shoemaking in 2013 and has pursued constant experimentation and preservation of the craft, winning various awards at the Premju Ġieħ l-Artiġjanat Malti in the process. Poised to become a market-driven designer, she realised that demand and supply diminished her as an artist – a title she never imagined for herself – leading her to step from the public eye to explore a new artistic language. She is now commencing a PhD on the artisanal meaning and language of shoes in Malta, while experimenting with waste as a creative material.

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Marylynn Naudi

Fortress Builders

Marylynn Naudi is a Maltese emerging artist with a primary focus on realistic drawing and portraiture, using traditional media to capture emotion, identity, and cultural depth. While rooted in realism, she also explores concept-driven projects that engage with Malta’s evolving cultural landscape. Through fine detail, observational accuracy, and thoughtful symbolism, her practice bridges classical technique with contemporary themes. Marylynn’s current work expands into culturally reflective compositions, highlighting the transformation of identity in modern Malta.

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Luke Azzopardi x Ozzy Chien

Fortress Builders

Luke Azzopardi, founder of his eponymous couture brand – Azzopardi, studied at Central Saint Martins and the University of Malta. His studio focuses on deconstruction and researched aestheticism, informed by his academic background in costume history. His couture has appeared at London and Dubai Fashion Weeks, and received multiple local and international awards. Beyond fashion, he designs for opera and dance productions, designed Malta’s debut pavilion at the London Design Biennale 2023, and published a book on the għonnella.
Taiwanese leather artisan Ozzy Chien established the Leather Atelier within Birgu Blue in 2019, creating refined, Mediterranean-inspired leather timeless pieces.

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Stephanie Borg

Fortress Builders

Since returning to Malta in 2008, self-taught artist and designer Stephanie Borg has devoted herself to celebrating and promoting Malta’s rich heritage and culture through her artistic creations. Through her fresh and contemporary approach, she has built a distinctive lifestyle brand, offering a diverse range of products, from wall art and homeware to fashion, deskware, and unique gifts. Inspired by the intricate patterns of old Maltese cement tiles, traditional wooden doors, and wrought ironwork, Stephanie’s work reinterprets these timeless elements with modern sophistication. Her creations invite us to cherish craftsmanship, heritage, and culture in a stylish and meaningful way.

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Janice Mercieca

Fortress Builders

Janice Mercieca founded Kartelluni in 2022, a bold step that marked her transition from the structured world of finance to the boundless realm of visual expression. Driven by an urge to explore her creative side, she began shaping a brand where imagination takes form and collaboration thrives. Kartelluni is where ideas evolve through connection, and where she works hand-in-hand with a vibrant community of artists, designers, and illustrators to bring stories to life through poster art.

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Ruslana Grima

Fortress Builders

Ruslana Grima is an emerging artist who has developed a profound personal and conceptual connection to weaving, a slow, tactile practice that stands in stark contrast to the accelerated pace of contemporary life. Her work is deeply informed by an acute awareness of environmental issues and the lasting impact of our daily choices. As a young woman, she feels a strong sense of responsibility towards the way we live and consume. This sense of accountability underpins her exploration of themes such as fast fashion, consumer behaviour, and sustainability, which she investigates through sculptural and textile-based artworks.