Runway Malta Spring/Summer 2012

Here it is again: RUNWAY MALTA!

I am still looking back with joy to a wonderful week in Malta in September 2011 when the first edition of Runway malta took place. I was there with FASHIONCLASH but also had the honor to show my collection and shoot with Kris Micallef.
And I am very happy that FASHIONCLASH is going again and this time for a 'New Designer Competition. FASHIONCLASH is going to choose  one Maltse young designer which will complete the participants line-up for FASHIONCLASH Maastricht 2012.


Designer Competition
Runway Malta hand in hand with Valletta 2018 have put together a New Designer´s Competition to entice young designers. Valletta 2018 is a project to enrich Malta´s cultural activities and enhance the many areas of art within the Maltese community. Becoming a candidate for the European Capital of Culture for 2018 has opened the door to Valletta´s cultural hub and has allowed for artistic relationships to be built between Malta and other European cities.
Because of this, V18 and Runway Malta came up with a fantastic way to team up with another candidate city – Maastricht in the Netherlands – to give a Maltese designer an opportunity to show at the inaugural FASHIONCLASH Maastricht Festival held in June.

Applications are open to any new designer in Malta to come up with three outfits using any material they like. It does not have to be traditional fashion, but can incorporate metals, textiles, plastic or any other material to create a form of wearable art. From all of the applications received, the judges will then pick five finalists to show on the catwalk at Runway Malta. Then one winner is decided and they will go on an all-expense paid trip to show their full collection at FASHIONCLASH Maastricht in June 2012. This project, alongside many others, is very important to the Valletta 2018 organisation. By partnering up art, culture and location, the projects are sure to put Malta at the forefront of cultural awareness in Europe, therefore making both Valletta and Malta great candidates for the European Capital of Culture in 2018!
http://www.runwaymalta.com/#!designer-competition





RUNWAY MALTA S/S 2012
Following the very successful Autumn/Winter 2011 edition, Runway Malta is back in full force for the spring/summer season. Showcasing a collection of designers from all over the world, the event is a collaboration of fashion, art, design and a launch-pad for new local designers wanting to make it abroad.
Set to a backdrop of traditional Maltese landscape at Montekirsto Estate, Runway Malta is the only full night international fashion event on the island.

New Generation designer Ewa Nowacka 

showing her first collection at Runway Malta

Hasan Hejazi Runway Malta 2011

Branko Popovic Runway Malta 2011

For more information: http://www.runwaymalta.com

from left yo right:
Shideh Olafson, Pavli Medvedova
and Kris Micallef

“Last season was kind of a trial, so to speak. We didn’t know how the venue was going to work and weren’t sure about the layout of things. And we weren´t even sure the public would be into an entire day/night of shows like abroad, so it was all a bit of guessing going on. However, after getting the feedback and realising what we can achieve, we have not stopped at anything to bring the very best this time around.” Says organiser, Shideh Olafsson.

organisers Shideh Olafson and Alison Gauci

This years line-up

William Wilde
The grand master of latex and rubber, high end designer William Wilde from the UK (yes, the one who designed Rihanna’s S&M Video outfits) will be showing as the big finale at the end of the night. His collections are not only controversial, but have a great sense of rock n roll and femininity to them as well. His other accolades have included designing for Daisy Lowe, Paloma Faith and Tori Amos!
http://williamwilde.com


TK store
The second international designer is from far away and making a special trip to Malta specifically for this season´s Runway. New Zealand designer, Turet Knuerfermann (tk store) has been at the top of the industry for years. Mention her name in New Zealand or Australia and people instantly think of high-end design, luxurious fabrics and one of the most successful young designers to ever come out of that part of the world. http://www.tk.net.nz


 ¨This is a very big deal for me, personally. Being a New Zealander, I am totally honoured that someone this talented would choose to join our catwalk in Malta and show the Maltese how design is done in Australasia as opposed to in Europe¨, Says Shideh Olafsson.

picture by Kris Micallef 

Marius Op t´ Eynde.
He is young but has a host of awards under his belt from the Netherlands and Belgium. Not only that, but he has just completed an internship at Alexander McQueen which taught him the most important fundamentals of extraordinary fashion design.  http://www.mariusopteynde.com/

More pictures from the shoot with Kris Micallef in Maastricht: http://brankopopovic.blogspot.com/2011/12/marius-op-t-eynde.html

FCUK
Alongside these very talented independent designers will also be world high-end high-street heavyweight, French Connection UK. French Connection has always had a reputation of being young and fresh and always appealing to the new generation of fashionistas. For this reason, it is important to showcase them next to the more alternative labels. http://www.frenchconnection.com