Malta Archives - Birgu Blue Rendez-Vous Malta

We’re delighted to give you a glimpse of our first Leather Bag Collection! Inspired by the perfection of Maltese vernacular architecture and crafted in exotic textured leather skins, the collection can be viewed at Malta’s most prestigious and exclusive luxury boutique property Iniala Harbour House on St. Barbara Bastions, Valletta.

All bags are artistic, one-off pieces, hand-stitched to perfection by our in-house designer and leather master, Ozzy Chien. This is the first bag collection for BIRGU BLUE, which is an independent atelier workshop, specialising in personalised and hand-stitched designed leather goods. Different collections include ready-made small leather goods and one-off customized pieces.

Ozzy Chien is a Taiwanese artist and designer who lives permanently on Malta. His inspirations are drawn from his Asian background. Minimal decorations, clean and sharp outlines.

“I am often more interested in exploring structures and constructions than patterns and prints, thus, my designs are very architectural. For me, experiments and inventions on new structures and constructions are more innovative and adventurous than just using old or new prints or patterns on existing objects.”

The ELEMENTS Collection

This new collection is fully focused on fundamental elements of art and geometrical shapes. Combined one-off vintage or designed brass pieces with precious exotic leather make these items unique. The idea of taking objects out of their context and repurposing them into bags is the most interesting part of the collection. The collection is entirely hand-stitched.

The Diamond Handbag

Black, defined by science as the absence of colour, comes to life in this bag through the use of texture. The Diamond Bag defines black through texture rather than hue, through the playful use of two different leather types – genuine Australian sand python leather and vegetable-tanned cow leather. Australian sand python is known for its consistent pattern and resistant surface. Its perfectly balanced geometric shape is softened by the clever use of a vintage brass handle, which gives this piece a unique personality.

The bag is fully lined. It is combined with a one-off traditional Maltese vintage pure brass door handle. The bag is hand-stitched.

The Hexagon handbag

Indian mythology features strongly in our new designer bag collection, particularly so in the Hexagon Bag. Half-animal & half-human, this individually-made handle cast in brass was specially made for this bag. Constructed with two materials, genuine python leather, and vegetable-tanned cow leather. The python retains the natural pattern. The bag is fully lined. Combined with one-off designed pure brass piece by jewelry designer Sonam Sakhuja. The bag is hand-stitched.

This bag is an absolute stunner. A true statement, with its very special sculptured brass handle inspired by Indian deities, its lush snakeskin and vegetable-tanned leather, and unique geometric shape. A one-off piece merging art with fashion.

The Triangle Cellphone Pouch

Shaped like a wooden wedge & tapered at the front, the wedge is the simplest of designs with a fundamental function. It can unite or separate when placed in between two objects. A trait de liaison of sorts, this bag has a strong message to convey in today’s world. Constructed with vegetable-tanned cow leather. Combined with a pure brass ring for either a cross-body strap or hooking onto the belt. The pouch is hand-stitched.

Since we started back in October 2019, we wanted to represent a very well curated selection of Maltese culinary excellencies in our gourmet section. When it comes to wines, we chose to keep it local. Our wine varieties are rigorously Maltese, and we tend to favour wines made from the indigenous grape varieties – the Gellewza and the Girgentina.

Maltese wines have a marked personality, because of the terroir and the strong sunshine the vines are exposed to. They go well with meat, fish and poultry, as well as with cheeses. There are some excellent award-winning reds. One of our favourites is perhaps the Grand Vin de Hauteville Cabernet Sauvignon is a gold medal winning full-bodied and robust Malta grown Cabernet Sauvignon which offers true classical varietal character derived from selected hand picked grapes.

The white wine of the same family is equally rewarding. This fuller flavoured, dry white wine is made from the designer grape Viognier. It is an unoaked, delightfully fresh wine with an appealing floral and peachy nose. It is ripe in the mouth, yet has famously opulent apricot flavours to offer; all blossom-scented with exotic fruits.

It was by chance that we discovered the how pairing wines with chutneys can be delightfully rewarding!

Chutneys were introduced to Malta by the British in the 1800’s. Our chutneys are made of organic-grown fruit and vegetable chunks, home-cooked in vinegar, sugar and spices until reduced to a thick, dark sauce.

We always tend to associate chutneys with England. However, the word chutney derives from the Hindi word ‘chatni’ which loosly translates to sauce. It was brought to England by traders coming back from India in the 17th century.

At our boutique, you will always find a very healthy selection of reds and whites, as well as many different flavours of chutneys to complement your wines or cheeses, or as an accompaniment with meat, fish or poultry.

What’s more you can always experiment my pairing wines and chutneys! Here are some of our favourite combinations:

– Grand Vin de Hauteville Cabernet Sauvignon paired with tomato, chilli and sage chutney

– Grand Cavalier Merlot paired with tomato and apple chutney

– Grand Vin de Hauteville Viognier paired with Loquat and dates chutney

– Grand Cavalier Chardonnay paired with bambinella and papaya chutney

We have just launched our wines and chutney pairing workshops. Book yours with us here and learn how chutneys can offer you a window to the food which complement your wines!

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