The Church of Our Lady of Pilar, built in the 1670s for the Aragonese Knights of St John, is one of Valletta’s hidden Baroque treasures. For designMT 2025, this historic chapel and its adjoining sacristy have been transformed into a stage for creativity, where Malta’s past meets contemporary design.What makes this stop unique is its immersive quality, some works appear as though they emerge from the chapel’s ornate surroundings, while others are paired with bespoke scents, offering visitors a truly multi-sensory experience. Beyond the main chapel, the sacristy also hosts installations, extending the narrative into a more intimate, contemplative setting.Here’s a look at the diverse line-up of exhibitors at Madonna tal-Pilar Chapel:Charles & Ron – SIROCCOMalta’s most internationally recognised fashion duo present their Fall/Winter 25/26 collection, inspired by the Sirocco wind. The pieces fuse Mediterranean heritage with contemporary elegance, including prints drawn from historic maps.Stephen Cordina – Essence of GracePerfumer Stephen Cordina creates an installation that goes beyond visuals. His aromatic compositions, displayed with glass flasks and scent pumps, take visitors through Malta’s cultural memory — making this one of the exhibition’s most sensory encounters.Glen Calleja – TwavelArtist and bookbinder Glen Calleja reflects on gift-giving and consumption in a globalised world, using handcrafted book-objects that blur the line between literature, art, and design.Jane Birchall – Coral CollectionStoneware vessels inspired by Gozo’s coastal textures and seabeds. Hours of carving and glazing recreate the movement and erosion of the sea in tactile ceramic form.Mary Ann Attard – Concrete GesturesCement is transformed into sculptural forms that feel both industrial and intimate. Pigmented, polished, and hand-shaped, each object highlights the beauty of imperfection.Lucentini – Beyond the MalteseCharles and Dorothy Cordina’s handmade tiles reinterpret Maltese heritage through contemporary ceramic art, fusing tradition with bold modern design.James Dimech – Paper GraceA Maltese designer known for sculptural fashion pieces presents delicate paper dolls that transform folded paper into refined, ornamental design objects.The Filigree Connection – Twisted & StitchedDesigners Boryana Chaneva and Silvia Galova reimagine Maltese filigree, combining traditional silverwork with colourful threads and textile-inspired geometry.Eszter März – Hummingbird Hawk-Moth CollectionInspired by the migratory hawk-moth, this bag collection celebrates transformation, migration, and individuality through elegant, wearable art.Saima Murtaza – Desert GraceJewellery and sculptural pieces inspired by Pakistani truck art, blending sustainability with vibrant cultural symbolism.Marisa Zarb (Peprin) – L-GħarusaA jewellery collection designed to complement bridal wear, showcasing floral motifs in polymer clay and silver, complete with headpieces and necklaces.NemNem Candle – NemNem CollectionFather-daughter duo Joe and Alessia Galea create sustainable soy candles in vessels made of reconstituted Maltese stone.Lara Parker – FourPlayA multidisciplinary showcase combining crochet, ceramics, resin, and textiles. From sea-inspired wall art to sculptural lamps, Parker’s works are tactile and playful.Zelda Designs – DivinaJoanne Bugeja presents bold, handwoven jewellery inspired by lace and heirlooms, crafted with gold threads and crystals for dramatic, modern elegance.Josef Camilleri – Cross Guitar WorksCraftsman Josef Camilleri builds guitars from recycled materials — from harp guitars used in Għana to striking electric instruments made with repurposed tins and metals.Janine Cardona – Ganutell ĠojjellThree jewellery collections reimagine traditional Maltese ganutell floral wirework into modern, wearable art for both casual and formal occasions.Gabriella Lukacs – Galactic WondersFascinators inspired by nebulae, stars, and the cosmos, crafted from upcycled textiles and embroidery. Each piece reflects the wonder of celestial beauty.A Chapel ReimaginedWhat sets this venue apart within designMT is its fusion of history, art, and atmosphere. The chapel’s ornate interiors, the sacristy’s intimate scale, and the added layer of scent pairings transform this exhibition into one of the festival’s most immersive highlights.In the Madonna tal-Pilar Chapel, design is not only seen but also felt, heard, and even smelled, a truly multi-sensory journey into Malta’s evolving creative landscape.The Madonna tal-Pilar Chapel exhibition is just one part of designMT, which runs from 29th September to 4th October across Valletta.Free to attend, it offers a chance to see how Malta’s designers are blending tradition with modernity, crafting works that are as functional as they are meaningful.designMT is being organised by the Malta Crafts Foundation, with the support of Arts Council Malta, Heritage Malta, the Industrial Property Registrations Unit within the Commerce Department, Malta Digital Innovation Authority, Malta Enterprise, and Visit Malta; and in collaboration with the MIDA – MALTA Interior Design Association, Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta Cultural Agency; and Lovin Malta as Media Partners.•