For those less familiar with the name, Mallis has played a pivotal role in shaping the modern fashion industry. During her tenure as Executive Director of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) from 1991 to 2001, she transformed what had been a fragmented New York Fashion Week into the unified event at Bryant Park, affectionately known as The Tents. She later held senior positions with IMG Fashion before launching her own consultancy and creating Fashion Icons with Fern Mallis, the acclaimed interview series at New York’s 92NY, where she has hosted many of the world’s most influential designers and fashion figures.

Since arriving in Malta, Mallis has been sharing her experiences with her followers on Instagram. Thanking U.S. Ambassador Farkas for the invitation, she described how she has quickly fallen in love with the islands’ blend of ancient history, limestone fortifications and contemporary architecture, as well as the warm hospitality of the Maltese people. She also praised her stay at The Phoenicia Malta, highlighting its beautiful gardens and pool, and enjoyed an open-air concert by the BBC Concert Orchestra featuring the music of ABBA and the Bee Gees, accompanied by spectacular fireworks celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.

Now underway, Malta Fashion Week has already welcomed designers, industry professionals and fashion enthusiasts to its runway shows, with Mallis joining the audience to experience the creativity and talent of Malta’s growing fashion industry firsthand.

Her visit has been organised by the U.S. Embassy in Malta, in partnership with The Phoenicia Malta and with the support of Malta Fashion Week, as part of the wider programme commemorating America’s 250th anniversary.

Organisers have described her presence as a landmark moment for the event. Over recent years, Malta Fashion Week has steadily built its international profile, and hosting a figure of Mallis’s stature is a strong endorsement of the island’s growing reputation within the global fashion community.

For Malta’s designers, her visit represents more than just recognition. With decades of experience and an unrivalled network in the international fashion world, Mallis’s presence offers invaluable exposure and the potential to open doors well beyond Malta’s shores.

For more information, visit the Malta Fashion Week website here.