il-lokal Mdina — Malta’s contemporary design store for local creators

Contemporary Design in the Heart of Mdina

il-lokal is housed in the historic il-Mahzen building on Magazine Street — right in the centre of Mdina, a city-museum whose stone facades conceal not only centuries of history but also a new creative life. The shop is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00 and functions as a gallery, store and showcase for contemporary Maltese design.

Inside, it’s a calm, well-lit space with a minimalist layout. The shelves display pieces that show how Malta looks through the eyes of its designers: ceramics, jewelry, posters, art books, interior objects and accessories — all made by small studios and independent creators across the islands.

From an Instagram Idea to a Store in Mdina

The project was founded by Karolina Rostkowska, a Polish designer who came to Malta in 2017 “just to live for a while” — and never left. She realised that many local artists and makers lacked a platform where they could present and sell their work directly, without intermediaries. That’s how il-lokal began — first as an Instagram page, and later as a physical store and creative community.

Today, il-lokal brings together more than 70 Maltese designers and artists. Every piece in the catalogue is personally curated with a focus on three things: local production, quality, and sustainable design.

What to See and Buy

The selection at il-lokal covers everything from postcards and small souvenirs to collectible pieces of contemporary art. Below are four brands that make this place worth visiting.

Sforma Studio

A design workshop from the island of Gozo, founded by architect Clara Azzopardi. Sforma creates 3D-printed lamps and candleholders inspired by the shapes of the Maltese coastline. When the lamp is turned on, its surface glows with the same golden hue you see on Maltese cliffs at sunset.

Kane Calì

An artist working with ceramics, glass, and 3D printing. His Pastizzi Project is a series of ironic wall sculptures and jewelry shaped like Malta’s famous pastizzi pastries, reimagined as art objects. It’s a playful take on a cultural icon — “a sculpture for everyone,” as the artist calls it.

Form Matters

A design studio founded by architect Neal Vella. It produces interior objects made of concrete, terrazzo, and ceramics — wall clocks, planters, trays and candleholders. Each piece is handmade and marked by clean geometry and precise proportions.

QUE

A jewelry brand by artist Enrique Tabone, known for her sculptural and light-based installations. The QUE collection features silver earrings, rings and brooches designed as miniature sculptures — continuing her exploration of light and form on a wearable scale.

il-lokal Today

il-lokal is more than a store — it’s one of the centres of Malta’s contemporary creative scene. It regularly hosts small presentations, pop-ups and collaborations between local designers. The space is open to artists, photographers and craftsmen who want to share their work with the public.

If you’re interested in contemporary design and want to bring home something made in Malta rather than a standard souvenir, il-lokal in Mdina is the place to go. It’s where traditional craft meets modern technology and art — where Malta reveals itself not as a postcard, but as a living creative environment.