ABOUT

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ABOUT ꩜

MÁLA Studio is a textile studio operating in London, originally founded in Brooklyn in 2019 by Irish textile designer Hannah Whelan. With over a decade of studying and working with textiles, Hannah sets out to experiment and challenge the conventional bag with a unique range of hand stitched techniques.

Raised between Ireland and the United States, Hannah grew up in constant motion. The contrast between these places and the ritual of packing, carrying, and moving informs the integrity and purpose of every MÁLA piece. Each bag honours the duality of the two places she calls home.

With each design, Hannah aims to encapsulate the organic shapes reflected in the Irish 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! Every piece tells a story of movement, identity, and place.

A young woman with dark hair in a braid, wearing an orange patterned blouse and matching pants, sitting on a chair in a cozy room with pink walls. She is smiling slightly and looking at the camera, with sunlight coming through a window behind her. There are potted plants on the window sill, and various items such as headphones, a sewing machine, and wall decorations are visible in the background.

In Irish, mála (masculine noun, plural málaí) means a bag, sack, or pouch.

PHILOSOPHY

MÁLA Studio focuses on providing long lasting and timeless pieces. Designed to be worn, carried, and lived with for years to come. MÁLA does not follow the seasonal fashion calendar. Hannah operates MÁLA Studio at her own pace, prioritising thoughtful design over constant output. Hannah believes slow fashion is a crucial step forward to decrease our impact on the planet “Having seasonal collections comes at a cost to our planet and to 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 piece is designed, hand-stitched, and shipped by Hannah, ensuring integrity, craft, and accountability at every stage of the process

Inclusivity is central to MÁLA’s philosophy. Colour, form, and construction are never defined by gender, race, or age. Each piece is created to be worn and interpreted freely, by anyone, in their own way.