Maltese Artist Luke Azzopardi Unveils ‘Salome’ Collection At Paris Couture Week

Maltese couture took centre stage in Paris as designer Luke Azzopardi presented his 2026 Artisanal Collection, SALOMÉ, at the Musée national Gustave Moreau during Paris Haute Couture Week Autumn/Winter 2026–2027.

The presentation, held on 6 July, formed the centrepiece of Visions of Malta, Language of Couture, a cultural diplomacy project led by the Embassy of Malta in Paris and the Permanent Delegation of Malta to UNESCO through the Culture Diplomacy Fund of the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs.

Set inside the historic atelier of Symbolist painter Gustave Moreau, the collection created a dialogue between the biblical figure of Salomé and the Maltese għonnella, the traditional hooded veil associated with Maltese womanhood.

Through handcrafted couture pieces, Azzopardi explored themes of identity, heritage, concealment and expression, presenting the għonnella as a contemporary symbol of cultural memory.

The evening also featured a live performance by Maltese mezzo-soprano Marvic Monreal, connecting the collection with the operatic legacy of Richard Strauss’s Salome.

The project highlighted the skill and creativity of Maltese and Gozitan talent, with an entirely Malta-rooted team contributing to the hair, make-up, millinery and production.

Built around slow craftsmanship and artisanal techniques, the collection showcased Maltese fashion as a form of cultural storytelling.

The event attracted leading figures from fashion, culture and diplomacy, including representatives from Vogue Paris, international media, industry professionals and actress Fan Bingbing, further strengthening Malta’s presence on the global cultural stage.

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