The former RAF Ta’ Qali airfield site, home to a diverse collection of aircraft, helicopters and aviation memorabilia under the guardianship of the Malta Aviation Museum, set the scene for a packed fashion show staged by Maltese fashion house Charles & Ron.
The event, which launched the label’s new Autumn/Winter 2024/2025 collection, saw the museum’s main hangar transform into a stage against the backdrop of a mammoth Douglas C47 aircraft, which towered behind the models as they showcased the brand’s latest designs down a makeshift runway.
The collection, Handle With Care, is described by Charles & Ron as one that is an “homage to the rich tradition of Maltese and Mediterranean glass blowing – a craft as fragile as it is beautiful. The collection takes inspiration from the delicate artistry and vibrant hues of glass, translating these elements into a breathtaking array of wearable art.”
The collection’s title aims to push beyond the literal interpretation of the fragile material and serve “as a poignant reminder of the broader, more pressing issues facing our world today: the gradual loss of our cultural heritage, the fading of artisanal traditions, and the extensive damage we inflict upon our environment.”
Through a collaboration with glass artisans Valletta Glass, the designers incorporated digitally manipulated images of glasswork into the fabric, alluding to the interplay between tradition and modernity, as well as in the collection’s accessories, which includes hand-blown glass handbags.
“’Handle with Care’ is a collection that transcends fashion to become a powerful statement on the importance of heritage and craftsmanship. It invites us to reflect on the beauty of our traditions and the critical need to protect our world for future generations,” the brand says.
Photography: Kurt Paris
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