Before the show, there was a pulse running through the room. Backstage, the air was thick with hairspray and adrenaline. During Malta Fashion Week, I wrote tirelessly about designers and their concepts, but there’s another side to the show. Between hair and makeup calls and outfit changes, I caught a few of the models in those rare, unguarded moments. In between the backstage chaos and camera flashes, I asked them what it’s like to walk down a runway and experience a collection.
The first model I spoke to was Beatrice Njoya. Beatrice was already halfway between hair and makeup, but still found time to chat. After winning Miss Universe in 2024, the model made history as the first African Native Miss Universe Malta and then, as the first Miss Universe at 40 years of age. She was excited to be back and this year, as she walked for Ivory & Co, Parascandalo, and Charles & Ron.
Beatrice’s elegance and charm are two of her admirable qualities. I asked her how she was feeling just hours before the show. ‘It’s a sweet and sour feeling – all models no matter age or experience, we always have this type of anxiety before going out’.
‘…in Malta we’ve built a closer connection. We know each other…’
During our chat, we compared international shows, and Beatrice opened up about her experience working in Paris Fashion Week. ‘I was at Paris Fashion Week, and in the bigger shows, backstage is usually more stressful. In Malta we’ve built a closer connection. We know each other. We know all the designers, photographers, makeup artists and hair stylists, and over the years we’ve built a close connection.’
Beatrice Njoya. Photo: Rebecca Delia
Speaking about the up-and-coming designers, Beatrice said ‘It’s very exciting to see the new generation of designers and models making their way’ with enthusiasm about the future of local design trends. Talking about her upcoming projects where she let me in on a project she’s been working on for a while. ‘I have a lot of projects coming up and I will soon be launching my podcast: a space for feminine voices and a platform for women – I will be launching it in the coming months’.
As we wrapped up our chat, Beatrice shared a heartfelt message: ‘I want to thank everyone for the support I’ve received. Thank you, Malta, for having me — this country has given so much to my life. On a personal level, I feel deeply loved here, and I’m truly grateful for all the beauty I’ve found.’
Maxine Formosa Gruppetta. Photo: Rebecca Delia
Then, before the rush hit its peak, I spoke to Maxine Formosa Gruppetta, winner of Miss Universe Malta 2022, Miss Universe Congeniality and the Best Female Photo Model at this year’s Malta Fashion Awards. ‘It’s a good kind of tired – the kind you feel when you know you’ve given it your all’, Maxine said, smiling an hour before the final show. This year marked her third Malta Fashion Week, and her third time walking for Charles & Ron. The first time, she made history as the first pregnant model to walk in Malta Fashion Week and she also walked for Lumija Swim.
‘As a model at Fashion Week, everyone brings their own style, poses, and walk’, she explained, and reflected on how her experience in pageantry compares to life on the runway – where the focus shifts from the person to the clothes. Runway modelling, she shared, introduced her to bolder styles, unexpected colour combinations, and more experimental styling. She spoke about enjoying the variety between designers and how each one allows her to explore different aspects of expression.
‘We inspire each other to try new walk styles and different poses’, she added. ‘Even though there’s an award at the end, there’s no sense of competition between us. We’re here to showcase ourselves, yes -but more than anything, we build bonds and memories.
‘…there’s a closeness here, with the other models, with the people behind the scenes…’
In the meantime, Giulia Bartoli had just stepped off the runway after walking the final show. This year, Giulia secured the Best Female Model award for the second time, having previously won it in 2023. Reflecting on the week, she smiled, ‘it’s such a great feeling – a whole week that we get to see each other every day’.
One of her favourite looks was her updo for Ivory & Co., which, she noted, photographed beautifully. Giulia has also walked in Paris and Milan Fashion Week, but said the experience in Malta feels totally unique. ‘There’s a closeness here, with the other models, with the people behind the scenes, that you just don’t get in Paris or Milan’.
When it comes to her personal style, Giulia keeps things creative yet casual and comfortable. ‘I know what I like and I stick to it’, she said. Her go-to combo is trousers paired with a chic heel, usually an elegant kitten heel, striking that perfect balance between style and comfort for an effortless, off-duty model look.
‘There’s always a lot of anticipation, but it passes so quickly’, Gaby Cini told me, reflecting on the blur of Fashion Week. A familiar face in the local fashion circuit, Gaby walked shows each day. While the preparation was intense, the momentum kept her moving.
Last week, Gaby’s daily look – natural curly hair and minimal makeup – shifted into the variations of bold appearances we saw on the runway. ‘Wearing different looks each day is definitely interesting and it shows the versatility of a model’. Models are given direction before each show, and despite her experience, Gaby admitted the nerves never fully go away. ‘We always get direction before each show, but those pre-show butterflies still hit’, she laughed.
That shared sense of anticipation was something many of the models mentioned, but so was the closeness between them. The long days, quick changes, and backstage chaos were the glue that held their annual reunion.
‘It gave me confidence’, Gaby said simply. And from the way she carried herself, with thoughtful elegance and self-assured, you could see it.
Julia Ann Cluett and Nicole Chetcuti. Photo: Rebecca Delia
A final chat to wrap up this year’s Malta Fashion Week was with Julia Ann Cluett, the current reigning winner of Miss Universe Malta. Julia had just finished getting ready to walk for Charles & Ron, and was enthusiastic to open the collection. ‘I’m still trying to come to grips with winning, and with Malta Fashion Week happening right after, it’s been chaotic, but in the best way’, she said, laughing. he described this week as an experimental space, one she’s excited to keep evolving in.
One of the biggest differences for her between modelling and pageantry? Creative control. “I’m much more exposed and open to critique,” she said. “I’m choosing my own dress, hair, makeup – what I put out into the world’. She explained, ‘Runway modelling is very close to my heart, but pageantry gave me the opportunity to express myself and speak about what I believe in’
When we spoke about fashion, her love of comfort came through. Julia gravitates toward bold earrings, chunky shoes, and expressive touches. ‘I love sneakers and I prioritise comfort – give me a skirt or a dress and a pair of chunky shoes any day’, she said. ‘Black is my comfort colour, but Miss Universe pushed me into more vibrant block colours. Now I’m starting to explore more’. And as for makeup, it depends on the occasion. Julia explained, ‘I love a smoky eye with a nude lip,” she said. “Or the opposite: a dark lip with soft eyes. One bold focal point should always stand out’.
Outside fashion, music has had a powerful influence on her. We discussed the importance of music in runway to set and express the character of a runway show. ‘When I was younger, I used to listen to my grandfather sing opera and my mum play the piano. I think that shaped the way I experience rhythm and how I understand the tone of a show’.
Looking ahead, Julia is preparing for the Miss Universe tour leading up to the November competition, with stops in Thailand, New York, Miami, and Mexico. ‘I’m really excited. I can’t wait to work with new designers, but it’s always special to return to Malta Fashion Week and walk for and alongside those I’ve already built a relationship with’.
The topic she’s most passionate about bringing to Miss Universe is mental health. Julia is a certified mental health first aid instructor with the Richmond Foundation and speaks often about the importance of awareness and empathy, something needed in our social climate.
Julia explained, ‘Although there has been a lot of improvement in the field of mental health, I feel there is still a long way to go. People need to be a lot more understanding and kind towards others. Some often feel empowered behind a keyboard but forget the person on the other side’. And with that, we closed the discussion with Julia’s grounded sentiment: ‘When you have nothing nice to say, better not to say anything at all’.
Whether speaking about creative expression, mental health, or just a great pair of chunky shoes, what stood out most was a real sense of closeness, to their profession and to one another. Their presence might seem effortless, but the effort behind it is anything but, and that’s worth celebrating.
