NGFL #4: Matteo Mallia

I am Matthew Mallia from Malta, I started sketching the day I was crawling, and encouraged by my aunt who was a great seamstress and painter. I studied fine arts and graphic design And 22 years ago I started working in the best fashion houses in malta, previous one was Ivory & co. I launched my brand name Matteo Mallia couture and organized a fashion show at the malta fashion awards back in 2007.

In the meantime I was also photo Modelling and performing in mykonos Greece and designing my own performance costumes too, for the last 10 years, I met so many different people and cultures which was very inspiring for me. On summer 2011 I was chosen to take part as an extra by Tyra banks herself for the shooting of Americas next top model cycle 17 All stars finale, and my costumes where used on two male models including myself I was very grateful and excited for this opportunity.

I did in internships in London  with the creative Lebanese designer Bourhan Basma  and in Pasadena California at Leon max under supervision of the creative director Mihalis Sykianakis. 

I attended courses in pattern making at the London college of fashion and also studied pattern making, draping and sewing at the Sewing Arts Center in Santa Monica California.

I decided to participate for the NGFL in Athens, creating a women’s collection inspired by  femme fatales so I leave the rest to your imaginations, part of this collection was sewn by renowned  local dressmaker, Olga Guillaumier!

My inspirations come from mythology, cultures and architecture from old cities as  l’m an old soul.