It’s official, this
is without doubt the post which has taken me the longest time to write, ever.
It’s taken about three months. I am annoyed at myself for taking this long but I
do have a weak sort of defence…first defence: This is the first ‘proper’
interview I have ever conducted, in this case I did not ask the person to type
out answers to my questions, I spoke to him, listened to him and wrote down the
answers myself. Second defence: I know Adrian and although he is quite an
honest, straight speaking person, he has a multi-dimensional character and set
of different skills which have made his life within the local fashion industry
extremely interesting….capturing all this in words wasn’t the easiest of tasks
and I can be a bit of a perfectionist….however, at some point you must
publish…and with this in mind…
is without doubt the post which has taken me the longest time to write, ever.
It’s taken about three months. I am annoyed at myself for taking this long but I
do have a weak sort of defence…first defence: This is the first ‘proper’
interview I have ever conducted, in this case I did not ask the person to type
out answers to my questions, I spoke to him, listened to him and wrote down the
answers myself. Second defence: I know Adrian and although he is quite an
honest, straight speaking person, he has a multi-dimensional character and set
of different skills which have made his life within the local fashion industry
extremely interesting….capturing all this in words wasn’t the easiest of tasks
and I can be a bit of a perfectionist….however, at some point you must
publish…and with this in mind…
Meet Adrian J Mizzi
the founder of our fashion week, fashion awards, Venere lifestyle program and
probably the ‘grandfather’ of fashion in Malta.
the founder of our fashion week, fashion awards, Venere lifestyle program and
probably the ‘grandfather’ of fashion in Malta.
So, who is Adrian J Mizzi?
Adrian describes
himself as an ambitious and determined person, a person whose brain is
constantly working, nineteen to the dozen, at all times of the day.
himself as an ambitious and determined person, a person whose brain is
constantly working, nineteen to the dozen, at all times of the day.
He is a
workaholic who barely sleeps and is constantly thinking up new ideas and
projects; as you can probably imagine, for him it is not just enough to think
up these ideas – they must then of course become his reality.
He also admits to
being a bad loser and being unable to accept defeat, he also states that he is
not always able to ‘forget’ and whilst he can be immune to many things he knows
there are times when something slight can really offend him
being a bad loser and being unable to accept defeat, he also states that he is
not always able to ‘forget’ and whilst he can be immune to many things he knows
there are times when something slight can really offend him
.
Where does your passion and ambition towards
the fashion industry stem from?
the fashion industry stem from?
Interestingly,
Adrian’s beginnings were in the realm of beauty contests. He made a bet with a
friend that he would organise and produce a beauty contest in aid of cash for cancer, the organising
committee started out as three people but two dropped out and he remained there
by himself.
Adrian’s beginnings were in the realm of beauty contests. He made a bet with a
friend that he would organise and produce a beauty contest in aid of cash for cancer, the organising
committee started out as three people but two dropped out and he remained there
by himself.
The contest was a
success and more came after but at some point Adrian started to realise that
beauty contests were not going to last forever and he started looking towards
other opportunities and areas..and his eyes landed on fashion…to be exact
fashion in Malta..which at that time (over
15 years ago) was virtually non-existent
success and more came after but at some point Adrian started to realise that
beauty contests were not going to last forever and he started looking towards
other opportunities and areas..and his eyes landed on fashion…to be exact
fashion in Malta..which at that time (over
15 years ago) was virtually non-existent
At this point,
however, his interest were not purely business but more creative and artistic
inclinations. He researched the subject worldwide and in his words ’saw an
opportunity to break out of the mould’. And well we all know the rest…
however, his interest were not purely business but more creative and artistic
inclinations. He researched the subject worldwide and in his words ’saw an
opportunity to break out of the mould’. And well we all know the rest…
15
years ago the Malta Fashion Awards
was born…of course there were many sceptics and a foreign journalist even
went as far as to say … “There is a
crazy person trying to organise a fashion event in a country where there is no
fashion”
This of course paved the way to his
eventual founding of the Malta Fashion Week which is becoming more and more
popular every year and showcases both local and international designers.
eventual founding of the Malta Fashion Week which is becoming more and more
popular every year and showcases both local and international designers.
I’ve heard some people say that for the vast
majority, fashion in Malta is a lost cause. Do you agree with them?
majority, fashion in Malta is a lost cause. Do you agree with them?
His immediate reply
– Definitely not. He goes on to elaborate – put it this way fashion as an
industry, there is a still a lot of work to be done, however, economically,
investment is very strong within the fashion industry. Maltese people are
showing a lot more interest in their personal upkeep, even men have now started
to do facials and really show interest in what they are wearing. Both men and
women are even resorting to Botox and laser for cosmetic improvements.
– Definitely not. He goes on to elaborate – put it this way fashion as an
industry, there is a still a lot of work to be done, however, economically,
investment is very strong within the fashion industry. Maltese people are
showing a lot more interest in their personal upkeep, even men have now started
to do facials and really show interest in what they are wearing. Both men and
women are even resorting to Botox and laser for cosmetic improvements.
In terms of Maltese
designers, there are many that have a lot of talent but maybe not enough of
them with enough guts to take risks and specialise; very few are actually
specialising in fashion design.
designers, there are many that have a lot of talent but maybe not enough of
them with enough guts to take risks and specialise; very few are actually
specialising in fashion design.
However again, compared to what there was 15
years ago when the concept of a ‘designer ‘didn’t even exist (it was just tailors and seamstresses)
we have come a long, long way.
In your opinion, how has fashion in Malta
evolved since the inception of the Malta Fashion Awards?
evolved since the inception of the Malta Fashion Awards?
Adrian doesn’t hesitate to answer this question either, the words ‘in many ways and it has evolved a lot’ literally fly out his
mouth. He goes on to explain his logic – when we started out, there was no real
fashion industry, but we created an awards event at which awards were
given out based on the work being done throughout the year, so for someone to
win they needed to work, which in turn means an industry in which to work in
was needed. So basically, we created an event that needed an industry to
exist.
mouth. He goes on to explain his logic – when we started out, there was no real
fashion industry, but we created an awards event at which awards were
given out based on the work being done throughout the year, so for someone to
win they needed to work, which in turn means an industry in which to work in
was needed. So basically, we created an event that needed an industry to
exist.
Another point is that with a concept of awards there also comes a
concept of higher quality and of regulations which is what an industry needs to
thrive.
What has been the proudest moment of your
career within the fashion industry?
career within the fashion industry?
Adrian gave me more
than one answer to this question, one of his proudest achievements is creating Venere
the TVM lifestyle program, that has had huge local success and has really
established itself as a niche program with a cult following and one of his
related proudest moments was when it won an award over 30 lifestyle programs
across all stations.
than one answer to this question, one of his proudest achievements is creating Venere
the TVM lifestyle program, that has had huge local success and has really
established itself as a niche program with a cult following and one of his
related proudest moments was when it won an award over 30 lifestyle programs
across all stations.
He also mentions
his satisfaction at being accepted as Full member in the European Fashion
Council, and at a later stage became Member of the Presidential Board of same
council and last but definitely not least his very recent work in establishing
and founding the Malta Fashion Association
his satisfaction at being accepted as Full member in the European Fashion
Council, and at a later stage became Member of the Presidential Board of same
council and last but definitely not least his very recent work in establishing
and founding the Malta Fashion Association
Comments
Nathalie Kemna
I love it!! I really like your blog!
You’ve got a new follower on Bloglovin!
Hope you'll follow me back! ♥
xx
Nathalie
http://www.nathalie-kemna.nl
fortheloveoftriangles
love it Caro xxx Kudos to Adrian for being such a pioneer supporter of fashion in Malta!
mar.s. http://formersize6.blogspot.com
Meg Lewis
Wow!! What a great interview, congrats on getting to chat with him!!
http://meg-a-porter.blogspot.com
Caroline Paris
definitely lots of Kudos, thanks for the feedback darling xxx
Caroline Paris
thanks hun, it was definitely one of my most interesting interviews ever
Caroline Paris
thanks for stopping by, sure your blog looks great – love the pink top 🙂
Sarah
It's so cool that you get to interview him!! =DD gig
http://sarahjslee.blogspot.com/
munira firoz
i always dreamt of interviewing him. you are one lucky girl GIG
Little Miss Smexy
What a great interview! Love the article here 🙂
marilovesgr33n
I didn't know him, but your interview was so good and precise It looks like I've already heard about him. Good job!
xxx
mari
yuhjiun
Great interview and you're so lucky that you get to interview him! 😀
Smallnhot Sarah
Its great that you get to meet the grandfather of fashion !!! I am so darn jealous of you !
giglove http://www.smallnhot.com
Shumaila Jaffer
wow impressive. it takes great confidence to interview someone "Grandfather of fashion" keep it up
Agata Pokutycka
It may took you long to write it but it is spot on
Thank you
Sol Felice Alvarado
Great interview! Its always great to read about the visions and accomplishments of someone like Adrian J Mizzi – a father of fashion indeed 🙂
Caroline Paris
thanks for stopping by 🙂
Caroline Paris
thanks a lot, it was one of my hardest interviews ever 🙂
Caroline Paris
thanks for your feedback, means a lot 🙂
Caroline Paris
that's lovely feedback, thanks so much 🙂
Caroline Paris
thanks a lot, it was one of my most interesting interviews ever 🙂
Caroline Paris
thanks so much, v appreciated 🙂
Caroline Paris
thanks a lot, it was one of my most difficult interviews ever 🙂
Caroline Paris
that's y it took long ! – thanks for your comment 🙂
Miss Ehara’s Closet
great interview, you're lucky to chat with him 🙂 hopefully someday i can be like you <3
Nella Beautifyiu
what a great interview. thank you for sharing this. it is always great to know about people secret to success. hehe.
GIG Love
http://www.nellanelwan.com
cindy tong (cindysplanet.com)
wow very great interview!!! so lucky of you to be able to interview him!
Sana
Superb interview I must say of a father of fashion all the way!!! Great share xxx
Nicol Wong
such an interesting read! i love to read about the people in the fashion industry and their lives
Beauty_Blogette
Very interesting interview. You really did a great job. 🙂
shasha
it may have took you a while, but this is a great post hun! =)
Natasha
What a great interview! I love learning more about the people behind fashion. gig
Caity @ Moi Contre La Vie
What a great interview! What a great subject! Congrats on this piece, well done! <3 GIGlove
Porshia Mitra
Great interview! Totally worth the time! Loved reading it 🙂
Ninaonthemoon
great interview, you asked great questions. i really enjoyed reading it, great to learn about another fashion insider.
Monica Calangian
Beautiful interview and interesting questions. You must have felt honored to chat to a fashion founder.
Kaye
Very interesting questions, it's fascinating to get an insiders view. Thank you for putting it together <3 GIG
Caroline Paris
thanks it was worth the effort
Caroline Paris
thanks , and thanks a lot for the feedback
Caroline Paris
thanks a lot hun, took some effort 🙂
Caroline Paris
hehe we are all crazy 🙂 thanks for stopping by