Seven nominees shortlisted for the Mvintage Woman of the Year Award 2022

As it celebrates 10 years of empowering women, local jewellery brand Mvintage will be hosting its first-ever Woman of the Year Award on Monday 3rd October 2022.

Seven nominees have been shortlisted for the title of ‘Mvintage Woman of the Year 2022’. The winner will be determined by an online public vote and voting will be open  until the eve of the award ceremony.

The awards night will be streamed live on the Mvintage Facebook page, starting with a red carpet event at 7pm. Followed by a speech by the Honourable Miriam Vella, wife of the President of Malta. The winner will be announced at 9.30pm.    

The seven nominees are:

Angele Cuschieri, president of children’s cancer support group Puttinu Cares Foundation; she is passionate in her mission to alleviate the suffering of vulnerable children and their families.      

Gabi Calleja, an activist who was instrumental in drawing up Malta’s Gender Identity Bill and relentlessly pursued the need for more equality and acceptance for the LGBTQI+ community.

Helga Ellul, an outstanding businesswoman with more than 48 years of experience in shaping Malta’s employment and industry landscape.      

Lara Dimitrijevic, founder of the Women’s Rights Foundation, supporting countless women and families as a legal practitioner.      

Maria Formosa, executive secretary of ALS Malta; she has played a pivotal role in spearheading its fundraising initiatives and in the management of Dar Bjorn, a nursing home for ALS, MS and neurological patients.

Maxine Attard, an actress and certified therapeutic play practitioner who co-founded the Jays of Sunshine Foundation, which is committed to helping the children and young people undergoing treatment at Mater Dei’s Rainbow Ward. Maxine has also raised awareness on miscarriage by publicly sharing her own experience.    

Shelley Caruana, a far-reaching social media influencer who uses  her platform to serve as an active player in mental health awareness.      

Introducing the Woman of the Year Award was a natural decision for Mvintage. Female empowerment lies at the core of the brand, so the idea of recognising some of the brilliant women who have been shaping Maltese society flows perfectly with its aim to help women express themselves in their own individual way.      

Mvintage founder Krystle Penza’s love for art and fashion, as well as her determination to leave a legacy for her daughter, has turned the brand  into a safe and empowering community for women to be themselves and succeed.      

“We believe women should uplift each other,” Krystle Penza commented. “These Awards are a celebration of the perseverance, hard work and talent of the many women who leave a positive mark on our society.”      

She went on to say that “because there are so many other women out there who inspire us,     these Awards are dedicated to all of them, all of you – the women who are relentless in achieving great things on a daily basis”.    

Now a household name, Mvintage started from humble beginnings in 2012.

The brand has since expanded into six flagship stores around Malta and Gozo, as well as an online store that services customers worldwide.