Noteworthy Shopping
Malta is by no means a shopping mecca, yet one can certainly find a suitable representation of global brands ranging from fine jewellery houses to iconic denim stores.
Birgu Blue
66, Hilda Tabone Street, Birgu – Website
Located on a winding street lined with historical auberges, this enchanting boutique will tempt you in with its selection of highly coveted wares made from organic materials, leather and other natural fabrics.
Take a leisurely browse of the richly hued cognac-toned shoulder bags, sturdy hand stitched wallets and sumptuously supple coin-purses dyed in soft tones like cameo pink and champagne. You can also personally meet Oz, the passionate artisan who creatively conjures every single treasure by hand, who will gladly offer you a glimpse of his creative intricacies in the making.
At Birgu Blue the in-house creative team constantly curates new collections which are launched bi-annually with an intimate in-store celebration hosting friends and clients. Complimenting the ever evolving creations, you will find a delectable gourmet section that turns ordinary daily rituals into extraordinary experiences.
Stacked with premium Asian teas, coffees from Ethiopia, and ‘celebration foods’ from Malta, scout out the range of jams and chutneys – homemade locally and exclusively for the boutique. Our personal favourites are the ones made from in-demand seasonal fruits such as bambinella (mini pears) and loquats.
Carla Grima
Boutique at Ta’Xbiex Seafront – Website
Inspired by organic silhouettes and the colours of the Mediterranean, natural fabrics are transformed into innovative one-size fits all garments for summer, autumn, sea and sunset.
Crafted through a combination of watercolour techniques, photography and textile printing, each item is the collaboration of human hands, nature and machine. You can find floaty summer kaftans made from georgette silk in hues of agate, bouganvillea and jade which will take you from a day on a yacht to an evening wedding.
The summer holiday inspired dresses and shirts also follow the same loose and free ethos, where irrespective of your body-shape, Carla will have you graciously draped in luxurious fabrics that will make you look elegant and feel special whatever the occasion. Timeless dressing at its best.
Ceramika
Villa Bologna, Attard – Website
The roots of this ceramics workshop were planted in the 1920s and have grown to become one of the island’s best-loved pottery producers.
Its original location in Ta’ Qali was destroyed during WWII, so it was relocated to the disused stables within the Baroque gardens at Villa Bologna, where it remains till today.
Pottery has seen a great revival, from where it has crept out of knickknack shops and into the realm of desirable home fashion. Ceramika has created a craze for earthenware with their individual pieces, full of unique character and charm. From multi-use dishes, tableware, pots and planters, the focus is on creating both decorative art and functional pieces.
Within the annexed gift shop, pottery naturally takes centre stage, though you will also find locally-produced, authentic and truly Maltese offerings – such as olive oil from rural Malta, cookbooks featuring local recipes, Gozitan sea salt and Maltese literature and guide books.
Kane Cali
211F St Ursula Street, Valletta – Website
As a graduate from the prestigious Royal College of Art in London, Kane specialised in ceramics and glass and is intrigued by science and its ability to further observe systems in nature.
Using this optic language through his original works such as Ripple Landscape, he captures the interactions between waves and the complexity that emerges as a result. For this he uses crystal as the primary medium which allows for a harmonious refractive relationship with light, creating brilliantly sophisticated shades of colour and form.
Kane has exhibited internationally in Paris, Milan, London and Shanghai and has also worked closely with private clients to create site specific bespoke pieces. At his studio, a newly established artistic space, he aims to merge the use of cutting edge technologies with that of the traditional.
One of his most accessible collections is his recreation of the mouthwatering Maltese street food known as pastizzi – adored by locals. Kane has immortalised this delicious savoury treat into coloured glass and concrete versions – painted in silver and gold. Reach out to Kane for an exclusive show-around of his incredible creations.
Luke Azzopardi
60, Stella Maris Street, Sliema – Website
A young couturier, fusing together powerful visuals, academic research and artisanal design is what distinguishes Luke’s work as Malta’s foremost fashion artist. This translates into his maison’s ethos: a self-sustainable atelier that embraces both concept-based fashion and beauty.
The studio focuses on timeless elegance using only the highest quality fabrics for the collections, thus keeping away from polyester, nylon, acrylic, and other synthetic fibres, which are heavy contributors of micro-plastic and marine pollution.
Adhering to this sustainability approach, the Luke Azzopardi garment is intended to be passed down from generation to generation, never to be thrown away. You can shop off the rails or work with Luke to co-create a one of a kind creation.
Saz Mifsud
55, High Street, Sliema – Website
A treasure trove of sumptuous fabrics, mesmerising patterns and eye-catching colours make for one gorgeous boutique, where all the creations are delicately crafted by hand as a passionate art.
You’ll be enthralled by Saz’s light as air and diaphanous shoulder-throws, reversible silk jackets – each one a burst of colour and an outfit in its own right, and fetchingly beautiful arm-candy envelope bags.
All of the printed fabrics derive from Saz’s personal paintings, sketches and photography which she artistically transforms into her individual veritable masterpieces. Whether you are gift hunting for yourself or searching for a unique present for that someone who has everything, you will most certainly find temptations-a-plenty in this boutique.
Stephanie Borg
33, Santa Katarina Street, Rabat – Website
Stephanie is famously known for her designs and drawings of traditional Maltese wooden doors and old Maltese patterned floor tiles.
Always one to keenly observe and absorb Maltese daily life and culture in detail, the artist made it her mission to reinterpret her homeland’s heritage into a contemporary collection ofuseful yet distinctive products. From espresso cups and aprons, to colourful printed artworks and vases, the collection is vast and charming.
When visiting Stephanie’s studio, you’ll have a tough task trying to determine what you can squeeze into your suitcase to take back home and what has to sadly stay behind.
