A diverse collection of contemporary design emerging from a broad range of disciplines will be presented to the public throughout this week across the capital city as the latest edition of Malta’s premier design expo, designMT, opens its doors across various iconic venues in Valletta.
Auberge D’Aragon, Fortress Builders and the Chapel of Our Lady of Pilar are among them, displaying the talent of Maltese creatives, carefully selected for their blend of functionality, style, and cultural significance, reflecting modern living in a meaningful way.
“Malta has no shortage of creative talent, but talent also needs the right platforms to be seen, discussed and taken seriously,” Elton Micallef, CEO Malta Crafts Foundation tells DesignDispatch.
“Through designMT’s exhibitions, we want to showcase high-level design and give designers and makers the visibility their work deserves. Alongside them, our thematic events create a space to discuss design – bringing together practitioners and different voices to explore the ideas shaping the sector today and where it’s heading next.”
The 2026 edition will be designMT’s most international one yet, says Elton, with exhibitors from across Europe and neighbouring North Africa, as well as from further afield, including China, Japan and the United States.
“That growing international dimension allows different approaches, cultures and design traditions to meet in Malta, while placing Maltese talent within a much wider creative conversation.”
Each venue features an impressive mix of industry leaders and emerging talents, each with their own perspective on contemporary design, spanning from furniture and ceramics to fashion, art and artisanal work.
The exhibitions are complemented by thematic events that explore contemporary design trends, as well as the challenges and opportunities in various aspects of design and how these shape our daily experiences.
“Good design is not simply about how something looks. It is about how we live, what we make, the materials we choose and how we respond to the world around us,” says Elton.
“Through designMT, we want people to encounter design in that broader sense – from fashion and objects to spaces, craft, food and everyday experiences.”
Here’s a glimpse of what to expect
Igialea and Uccelli by Tomoko Fait
Japanese visual artist Tomoko Fait introduces visitors to her distinct language of biomorphic patterns, colour and motifs woven into her medium of choice, whether it’s canvas or silk. ‘Igialea’ and ‘Uccelli’, both on display at Fortress Builders, draw on natural forms, subconscious imagery and Eastern aesthetics, exploring the relationship between structure and fluidity, stillness and movement, while bringing a distinct international dimension – one which has grown considerably this year – to the historical halls of this Valletta landmark. Venue: Fortress Builders.
The Bloom of Tradition: Filigree Reimagined by Luke Azzopardi & Mark Borg
Azzopardi Studio founder and creative director, Luke Azzopardi, collaborates with filigree artist and goldsmith Mark Borg to preserve and renew Maltese filigree. The resulting tiaras – a project supported by the Malta Crafts Foundation through its Category 2 at the Premju Gieh l-Artigjanat Malti – are handcrafted in sterling silver with gold plating, finished with natural smoky quartz and seed pearls, bringing together contemporary design and artisanal mastery. Venue: Auberge D’Aragon.
Echoes of Thought by James Dimech
Paper artist and designer James Dimech presents a figure made from memory, bringing together thousands of folds, fragments of printed pages and traces of knowledge within a single sculptural form. Positioned between fashion, sculpture and architecture, Echoes of Thought explores how ideas are preserved, transformed and carried through time, celebrating paper manipulation while inviting reflection on imagination, memory and making. Venue: Madonna tal-Pilar Chapel.
MCAST × Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore
The Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) and Temasek Polytechnic, a leading institution of higher learning in Singapore, brought their respective students together throughout the year to exchange ideas, perspectives and approaches across different cultural and creative contexts. Working collaboratively on an accredited project, students explored shared design challenges, with the outcome of the collaboration presented at designMT, offering emerging designers a platform through cross-cultural exchange. Venue: Valletta Design Cluster.
designMT is open between 28th September and 3rd October 2026.
Main image: Echoes of Thought by James Dimech / Photography courtesy of the Malta Crafts Foundation
