Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/516462
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 24 MAY 2015 16 News MARTINA BORG MALTA'S budding fashion indus- try could well be on its way to ma- ture into something of a recogniz- able field. Malta Fashion Week saw the crème de la crème of the Mal- tese fashion scene come out in full force, but the lingering question is what industry – if any – is reaping the fruits of the local designers. "Although given the small size of the country, a full-blown, interna- tionally trend-setting industry may be difficult to create, the industry is definitely growing," fashion blog- ging trio The Clouded Revolution say about Malta Fashion Week and how new designers are gaining more recognition. The fashion presence is greater than it was two years ago, says blogger Lara Boffa (It's Lara Marie, and former Boffism blogger) with more people involved and playing a role, "compared to the few 'rare birds' we had before, although it's very hard to make a living from it only, if you're based solely in Malta." "Demand has increased consid- erably, maybe for some designers more than others. I've lost count of the number of Charles and Ron 'Carlton' clutches, Sef Farrugia bowties and Marco Parascandalo 'Skandlu' t-shirts I've seen lately." But TCR say that a large number of designers have now managed to create wearable pieces that are also being sold in local stores, such as Saz Mifsud, Carla Grima, Sef Far- rugia and Marco Parascandolo. "Designers like Luke Azzopardi also have a constant clientele for their bespoke pieces," they say. "Farrugia and Parascandolo are two of the designers whose status changed considerably following their exposure at the Malta Fash- ion Week," Boffa adds. "I very much remember Sef Far- rugia's pieces exhibited in 2012, and Marco Parascandalo, who graduated from having a slot in the New Designers Show in 2014 to a solo show in 2015. They are widely known and their designs are im- mediately recognizable now." Parascandolo's show were one of the most striking this year, with his focus on denim pieces and use of white as a main colour for his col- lection, Boffa says, adding Ritienne Zammit's collection as having had "everyone with their jaws on the floor." "Zammit has been lauded all over the blogosphere so she is bound to get even more attention in the coming months. I sincerely hope she does actually. I think her show was brilliant, not just because of the concept, but also because of the way she managed to please people who have very different tastes." Blogger Caroline Paris (Caro- line's Fashion Styling) says that Gaetano is one of the most prom- ising designers with his edgy and elegantly sophisticated collection. "Gaetano had a strong model with all the right elements of creativity, tailoring know-how and a truly sellable product. If he keeps on thinking and creating along those same lines, I'm sure he will do very well." TCR add that Margo de Vidal's collection was even more complete than last year's collection with its 1970s bohemian vibe, interesting prints, textures and very wearable shapes. "Malta Fashion Week offers loca- tions that might otherwise be un- affordable or out of the question for a designer alone, for example the Grandmaster's Palace," they say, even though shows outside the 'fashion week' umbrella can also avoid being overshadowed by other events. "One of the ways designers could boost their profiles is through funds from both the public and private sectors. A good quality product requires a good capital to start off with. Many designers jug- gle full-time jobs while also work- ing on their collection so as to try and make ends meet," TCR said. However, Paris says the Maltese are still afraid of buying local. She agrees with helping designers with sponsorships and funds, but it's markets like the one at Spitalfields in London, noted for its embrace of new designers and concepts, that can attract those with their eyes peeled for the latest fashion trends. Boffa adds that although it's dif- ficult to top Malta Fashion Week for exposure locally, social media should be considered a tool by de- signers to become better known. "Don't disappear from the inter- net after your show is over. Keep us engaged and we'll keep looking out for you," is her advice. 'I'm wearing Manwel Dimech' Ritienne Zammit's prints feature Manwel Dimech and national poet Dun Karm – hardly ideological bedfellows, but it's only fashion…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alta Council for Science & Technology , Villa Bighi, Kalkara KKR 1320 www.mcst.gov.mt GREAT SIEGE ROAD, FLORIANA MALTA PHOTOS BY BENJAMIN SANT PHOTOS BY MRC PHOTO Mario Parascandalo's 'Skandlu' t-shirts Lara Boffa Claire, Nicole and Sandro of THE CLOUDED REVOLUTION