FiftySix Design Talks: DesignMT Unlocked

FiftySix Design Talks are Back! We’re kicking off this season with a special event that also provides a sneak peak into the very first edition of designMT. The Malta Crafts Foundation, in collaboration with The Golden Glitch and with support from the Arts Council, Valletta Cultural Agency, and Spazju Kreattiv, is thrilled to bring you designMT, a design expo showcasing the best of Maltese design and beyond which will run from September 30th to October 6th, 2024, across various iconic locations in Valletta.

Meet the Visionaries Behind designMT

At this session of FiftySix Design Talks, representatives from the Malta Crafts Foundation will introduce the concept and vision of designMT. Additionally, four designers, whose work will be showcased at the expo, will share insights into their creative journeys and the innovative processes behind their designs.

Mark Borg

Mark Borg: Redefining Filigree

Mark Borg’s journey in the world of filigree has allowed him to hone his technique and expand his artistic repertoire to include not only traditional jewellery, but also innovative sculptures and automata. His work is characterized by a desire to push boundaries, creating pieces that explore new, uncharted territories within the art form.

Ana Irina Falzon

Ana Irina Falzon: Sustainable Luxury in Fashion

Ana Irina Falzon, a prominent luxury womenswear designer, has a unique approach to fashion that revolves around innovation and sustainability, particularly in her choice of materials. Adopting a ‘farm to fashion’ outlook, her designs bring nature and fashion together with the purpose of educating younger generations on the importance of moving away from fast fashion.

Mark & Dennis Aquilina

Mark Aquilina: Chocolate as a Culinary Artform

Mark Aquilina, together with his brother Dennis, founded the independent boutique Chocolate District. Specialising in crafting artisan chocolate made with exclusively-sourced cacaos and local, noble ingredients to create innovative, bold and sometimes unconventional creations that draw inspiration from local, traditional gastronomy.

Joeaby Vassallo [I+A] & Jessica Grima [Mediterranean Ceramics]

I+A x Mediterranean Ceramics: Elysium – A Fusion of Architecture & Craft

Joeaby Vassallo from I+A and Jessica Grima from Mediterranean Ceramics team up to present Elysium at FiftySix Design Talks. Elysium, a featured design at designMT, blends modern architectural ideas with traditional Maltese craftsmanship. This collaboration showcases how contemporary design can honor and elevate our rich cultural heritage, merging innovation and tradition seamlessly.

Join us on Wednesday, 25th September 2024, at 6:30 PM at Friggieri Hall in the Valletta Design Cluster for this exciting session of FiftySix Design Talks. You’ll get an exclusive preview of what designMT has to offer. After the talks, stick around for a networking session where you can chat with the speakers, explore their work, and connect with others who share your passion for design.

FiftySix Design Talks is an exciting collaboration between The Golden Glitch and the Valletta Design Cluster. This dynamic partnership brings together artists, designers, and innovators for a series of talks that explore the intersection of tradition and modernity in design. It’s a space where time-honored crafts meet contemporary ideas, all hosted within the historic walls of Valletta.

Connect & Inspire:

After the talks, stay for a mingle session. Connect with fellow creatives, share ideas, and get inspired over a glass of wine in the stunning surroundings of Valletta.