Fashion & Retail
Director’s Message ‘Distinct’. This is the focus of the 2019 edition of the MCAST ICA Festival, a creative arts festival which builds on the achievements of my predecessors, and which this year has been extended to span a full month between 4 July and 4 August. ‘Distinct’ is represented by a stylised fingerprint - the mark that distinguishes one individual from another. Such is the work showcased during this festival; students from the same cohort having followed the same programme of studies and therefore having experienced a similar formation are showing that which distinguishes themselves from their peers. Moreover, through this festival one can also appreciate the various idiosyncratic outcomes reached through the diverse areas of studies within the creative arts – Fine Arts,
Photography, Game Art & Visual Design, Interactive Media, Graphic Design, Creative Media, Journalism, Spatial & Product Design, Fashion & Retail, Performing Arts, and Cultural Heritage. Our learners have gradually developed an identity, facilitated by the experiences afforded them along their journey within the Institute for the Creative Arts. We did not walk this journey alone. Supported by our mother institution MCAST, an institution that also has a distinct identity within the field of further and higher education, and in partnership with numerous stakeholders in the industry, such formation has taken shape in a unique way that rightly deserves to be celebrated.
The context of this year’s celebration is Spazju Kreattiv – Malta’s national centre for creativity - which provides a meaningful platform to further bridge the gap between student life and life within the community and industry. Within the heart of Valletta, last year’s European Capital of Culture, it acts as a fitting venue for ‘Distinct’. Sincere thanks go to ICA staff and students who have worked tirelessly to make this event possible, colleagues within MCAST for their support and contribution, and industry partners who have been key players along the way. I trust that the result of this collaborative effort will translate into a truly distinctive experience for each one of you.
Dr Martina Caruana
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Adv. Diploma in Fashion & Retail This course is designed to address the skills shortages in the fashion design and production sectorLearners undertaking the course will also learn important skills required for the fashion retail sector, together with basic entrepreneurial knowledge to support those students who would like set-up their own atelier in the future. The first year of the programme offers learners the cultural,
theoretical and creative aspects of the subject. Another important area is the pattern drafting and sewing techniques in preparation for their second year. The second year provides learners the opportunity to develop further their knowledge and skills in the specialisation. They will participate in apprenticeship programmes as well as present their own design concepts in a fashion collection as their final major project.
Alicia Busuttil Student Bio:
Artist Statement:
Alicia Busuttil has shown interest in fashion since she was quite young, draping fabrics to create garments. Coming from an artistic family she always finds support on her creative journey. Her love of fashion design is always visible in her attire. Currently in her second year in Fashion and Retail, her future is looking bright and successful. Be on the lookout for this upcoming designer.
Alicia’s collection is called ‘Duchess of Berry’. Inspired by her love of nature, the beautiful berry flowers in bloom, as well as the graceful Marie Caroline 18 th. century Duchess of Berry. This elaborate collection symbolizes youth and everything that looks beautiful to the eye. Alicia`s sensuality is represented in this collection which also depicts an aesthetic which looks delicate and enchanting to symbolize peace of heart.
Anthea Calleja Student Bio:
Artist Statement:
Mellieha born, 19 year old Anthea Calleja has a unique taste to clothing and styling. Already with a background in Merchandising and Marketing following an apprenticeship with a leading international company, and focused on her inspiration, she chose to follow a diploma in fashion to have a better understanding of the fashion industry. She aims to become a stylist or find a job in fashion marketing and finds a career in relation to this sophisticated and complex market. Mature as she is Anthea, however, leaves all options in the fashion world to be still considered through her higher education studies.
ANTHEA’s avant-garde idea focuses on women with a busy lifestyle who don’t have enough time for fashion. Focusing on ease and versatility, her collection aims to be a mix and match with other wardrobe staples that can be styled for any occasion. The philosophy for her style is to add modern elegance to every moment of the day and considers environment to safeguard our planet. This is done by creating relaxed fit collection and sensibly selecting natural biodegradable fabrics to sustain the ecology and help eliminate harmful chemicals used in fabric manufacturing.
Martha Camilleri Student Bio:
Artist Statement:
Since her childhood, Martha Camilleri has always shown interest in fashion and designing clothes. She would mix and match her dolls’ clothes to create playful but chic looking ensemble for her dolls’ parties. Growing up she nurtured her passion into her unique creative style and is now pursuing her studies in fashion design and retail. She explores new ways to interpret her creative ideas is open to recommendations to improve her methods. At the age of eighteen she is presenting amazing ideas and transforms them into creative fashion design proposals to continue her career in higher education in fashion design. final images from contact sheets and how this affects the audience’s perception of the photographer’s work.
Martha’s inspiration for this collection are the stories of the seven deadly sins. Upon looking into all seven sins she chose ‘Lust and Wrath’ and combined them together to create a curious collection. The main colours of the concept are burgundy indicating Lust and black indicating Wrath. The colours give the feeling of something dark and sinister yet sexy and complementary to the female figure but not only. The message through fashionable collection is a woman empowerment that attracts the desire of men upholding women’s autonomy.
Danial Gitmanovich Student Bio:
Artist Statement:
Born in 2000 in Moscow, and has been living in Malta for the past 15 years, Danial Gitmanovich has a very unique taste and style. His interest in fashion started at the age of 12 and he began realizing this interest in late 2016 taking a course in fashion at MCAST. He experimented in different style ideas such as hipster and sport casual. Danial is a very determined student and challenges all the rules as much as possible. His future plan is to become a fashion designer.
This collection is inspired by Formula 1 and the aesthetics of the luxurious sport. As sport evolves, it influences fashion. Lewis Hamilton is top influencer in this sport, 5-time world champion also a fashion designer collaborating with Tommy Hilfiger and is bringing together his Hollywood lifestyle and sport showing how both can integrate together. DGit‌ F1 Racing Team is a collection showcasing its styles inspired by racing suits, circuits, tire marks and racing teams. The designs and colours are inspired by the Mercedes AMG F1 Team.
Dhalia Grech Student Bio:
Artist Statement:
Dhalia Grech is a 20-year-old, from Santa Venera. Since a young age Dhalia’s interest in fashion flourished by watching her mother and grandmother sewing clothes. At a later stage she developed further her interest by attending the Institute for the Creative Arts improving her skills at an advanced pace. Dhalia has an eye for detail and incredible patience for hand work such as embroidery and surface design techniques. Dhalia Grech has all the qualities that will lead her to a successful career in fashion design and is determined to further her studies in fashion design and textiles’ sophisticated techniques.
Dhalia Grech’s collection is titled ‘The Revenge’. Inspired by the movie ‘The Greatest Showman’. She chooses this title ‘The Revenge’ depicting the personal satisfaction of the hard-working, overcoming life’s challenges. In this collection Dhalia challenges her design ideas and transforms theatre like costumes, into wearable fashion pieces. The colour palette is a combination of black, gold and red.
Natasha Polidano Student Bio:
Artist Statement:
A renowned makeup artist Natasha Polidano enjoys extensive popularity for her fashion flare. She is familiar with the fashion world assisting her husband, a fashion photographer, on numerous shoots and fashion events. She always followed the fashion world closely, paying attention to creativity, detail and the latest trends. She grabbed the opportunity by joining the fashion design course offered at MCAST Institute for the Creative Arts as it was the inevitable decision for her to take the next step and pursue her lifelong dreams to become a fashion designer herself.
From the runway trends of frills and flounces and the upcoming summer colour palette. Inspired by the Nudibranchs, little colourful creatures strewn all over the Ocean bed, Natasha presents ULA: Jewels of the Sea. Vibrant colours, buoyant fabric, transparent and sensual, as the movement of light creatures in the sea. Watch them flow and be mesmerised with their grace. To enrich further the collection, and proud of our heritage, Natasha embellishes her collection with traditional Maltese filigree. Jewellery was exclusively completed by one of the last remaining Filigree Masters on the Island.
Andre Xiberras Student Bio:
Artist Statement:
Born in Gozo, 21 year-old Andre Xiberras interest in fashion started through the knowledge of tailoring from his late grandmother. His aim is to pursue a job in either fashion or styling. Through his love of fashion, he chose to partake in a course about fashion and retail with also an apprenticeship with a local tailor.
His inspiration came for mushrooms. He chose mushrooms that bloom during spring. His colour palette of soft and light colours for the collection of also represents light, airy and colourful as the characteristics of springtime.
Supported by
Prospectus Academic Year 2019/2020
The Online Application periods for the upcoming academic year 2019/20 will be as follows:
Monday 22nd July till Sunday 04th August Monday 02nd September till Sunday 08th September Friday 27th September till Wednesday 02nd October 2019 Access to the online application portal will be through the MCAST website, as from Monday 22nd July. Those who will be submitting an Application and are in possession of a National ID Number need to have a valid E-ID in order for them to apply for an MCAST full-time courses. Prospective applicants who do not have a National ID, will also be able to apply online. Further information about the online application process will be available by the second week of July. The conditions for application are found in the MCAST prospectus – an online version of which can be accessed through: https://www.mcast.edu.mt/mcast-prospectus-2019-2020/