ABOUT_
MÁLA is a textile studio based in London founded in Brooklyn in 2019 by Irish textile designer Hannah Whelan. With over eleven years of studying and working with textiles, Hannah sets out to experiment and challenge the conventional bag with a unique range of hand-stitched and hand-dyed techniques.
As a child, Hannah was constantly moving between Ireland and America. The stark contrast between these environments and the ritual of packing a bag has influenced the integrity and design of each bag produced at MÁLA Studios. Every MÁLA honours the two places she calls home.
With each design, Hannah aims to encapsulate the organic shapes reflected in the Irish and English landscape with the vibrant attitude and diverse self-expression that New York City exudes. Each design is reminiscent of Ireland with a New York City kick!
Mála: Bag in Irish.
PHILOSOPHY_
MÁLA focuses on providing long lasting and timeless pieces. MÁLA does not follow the seasonal fashion calendar. Hannah believes slow fashion is a crucial step forward to decrease our impact on the planet “Having seasonal collections comes at a price for our environment and ourselves. Seasonal collections in the fashion industry encourages fast and sometimes careless production leading to textile waste. If we design at our own pace it gives us time to authentically and organically design.”
Every MÁLA is designed, hand-stitched and shipped by Hannah.
MÁLA is particularly focused on inclusivity. The choice of color and construction holds no significance to the gender, race or age of the consumer.