Gaetano is one of Malta’s most promising fashion talents and the recipient of the Best New Designer Award at last year’s Malta Fashion Awards. This year he will present his first solo show at Malta Fashion Week 2016. We caught up with him to learn more about his day and life as a designer and take some sneak peek photos of the new collection.
Can you introduce yourself to us?
My name is Gaetano, I’m a 27-year-old Maltese fashion designer from Hamrun ..I’m quite a loud person and I enjoy hanging out with my close friends. I’m also obsessed with music – it literally needs to be present everywhere I go, whether on my mobile or on my stereo – there just has to be music.
What is a regular day in your life generally like ?
I always wake up really early – generally around 5 or 6 am. I start off the day with a good dose of coffee and I immediately start working. I generally start the day by making patterns, cutting material..sewing etc etc. I keep the time between 3pm till 5pm for fittings – I always book 2-3 fittings per client just to make sure everything is perfect and that they are happy. After the fittings, I either meet my friends or just stay home watching a movie. Over the weekend, I try to leave some time free for some me time, usually I go shopping in the afternoon and then I go out in the evening
Fashion loves and fashion hates ?
In terms of women’s clothing, I love the feminine figure hugging silhouette – fishtail/mermaid dresses are A+. Personally, I love wearing anything that’s black and comfortable.
Oh and I HATE leggings – I just can’t stand them !
When did you first start working as a fashion designer? How did you begin?
I started sketching clothes at a really young age. However, I really got my hands dirty when I started working in a textiles shop, I used to pin pieces of fabric onto the mannequins – that’s when I started thinking about sewing my own designs. The management of the place where I worked gave me great opportunities and pushed me to succeed and persevere.
What is the inspiration behind this new soon-to-be-revealed collection?
The new collection is called NYMPH (seductive, empowered,emancipated)
A nymph is like a mermaid like creatures they love the emancipated feeling and they depend on themself ..in my eyes
That’s how I think women should be – powerful free And equal! When I was working on this collection I wasent really sure how to name it, after a lot of thought, the whole nymph concept started to take shape.
What do you feel is your biggest obstacle as a fashion designer in Malta?
I think that unfortunately there are still Maltese people who don’t give the Maltese talent the credit it deserves. They will buy foreign labels and brands so as to be able to say it is from that place or that label – this makes no sense. It is true we’re just a dot on the map but there’s a lot of potential and talented people in Malta. This is also true for other artists, not just fashion designers
Who do you dream of collaborating with?
I’m very easy to collaborate with – I’m very open to receiving other opinions. Locally, I would love to collaborate with Claudia Faniello and Ira Losco, I’ve been a fan of both of them from a young age!
Internationally, well most people who know me well know I’m obsessed with Mariah Carey so it has to be her! Although I would probably die if I had to actually meet her !!!
What is next for Geatano?
Right now I’m really looking forward to showcasing my new collection at Malta Fashion Week….I’m looking forward to continuing to do what I’m doing and maybe someday I will open up my own atelier. That would be amazing!
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