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Heritage Malta has unveiled a striking new capsule exhibition in collaboration with Azzopardi Studio, blending the elegance of contemporary fashion with the depth of Malta’s textile heritage.
Titled “Couture and Spectacle”, the exhibition is now open at the Inquisitor’s Palace, inviting visitors into a space where art, history, and design intersect.
At the heart of the display are four couture gowns created by Azzopardi Studio, presented alongside a remarkable piece from Malta’s national textiles collection, a mid-20th-century evening gown by American designer Will Steinman. This original blue tulle and taffeta dress, once owned by Mrs Peggy Mamo née Edmonson, was generously donated by Mrs Claire Pisani née Hughes, in honour of her aunt-in-law Peggy.
The exhibition transforms the historic palace into a dreamscape inspired by theatre, where historical garments are reimagined through the lens of contemporary couture. The four new gowns pay homage to the Steinman piece, drawing from Art Deco geometry, alchemical symbolism, and celestial motifs from tarot iconography. The result is a bold, poetic conversation between the past and present, fashion as both artefact and performance.
“Couture and Spectacle” doesn’t just revisit history; it challenges the boundaries of costume and couture, tradition and modernity. It positions fashion as a living, breathing art form, deeply rooted in cultural memory but alive with fresh interpretation.
In a further gesture of collaboration, Azzopardi Studio has donated another dress to the national collection- a piece originally featured in the studio’s 2018 collection “On the Museum’s Ruins”, which was exhibited at the National Museum of Archaeology’s Gran Salon with the support of the Arts Council Malta.
Heritage Malta continues to demonstrate its commitment not only to safeguarding the nation’s rich past but also to fostering meaningful engagement with contemporary cultural expressions. Exhibitions like Couture and Spectacle serve as a bridge between generations, showing how our heritage can inspire and shape the future.
The exhibition is open until 30th September, from Tuesday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm (last admission at 4:30pm). It is included as part of the Inquisitor’s Palace and the National Museum of Ethnography experience.
Note: Due to stair access, visitors with impaired mobility may find the exhibition area difficult to access.
For more information, visit: heritagemalta.mt/whats-on/couture-and-spectacle
Will you be visiting this exhibition?
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