MAlAM began with a young boy who dreamt of bringing African patterns to life.
It is a destiny that comes to fruition through the experimentation that talent allows.
Each piece is unique and fulfils this purpose – conscious, intentional use – realising a dream and telling the story of someone who did everything they could to create.
Pieces that embody identity.
Between heritage and modernity.
Textures that fill the space.
Details that bring culture into the home.
For those who are part of history.
Comfort and style, all in one.
Designed to take with you.
Identity on the move.
The history of MAlAM
MAlAMwas born from this simple yet powerful gesture: that of hands which create, which learn and which transform. It began with a young boy who dreamt of bringing African patterns to life, seeing each fabric as an infinite possibility. Amidst markets and movements, amidst trials and persistence, a destiny takes shape that is not imposed — it is built, stitch by stitch, until experimentation becomes talent.
In the markets of Guinea-Bissau, where time is measured by the rhythm of people and stories, MAlAM learns to see beyond shapes and colours. It learns to listen to the fabrics, to understand the memory that each pattern carries, and to translate identity into creation.
Every stitched line is also a journey, a gesture of affirmation and a choice for the future.
MAlAM thus represents much more than a brand. It represents all those who set out in search of an opportunity, taking with them knowledge, dreams and courage. It represents those who turn little into much, who reinvent paths and find in creation a sense of belonging and dignity. It also represents so many other young people who, now adults, still today in Cape Verde continue to create and sew on the streets, alongside their old machines, learning through practice and dreaming of a brighter tomorrow.
Every piece created is unique and fulfils this purpose — conscious, purposeful wear. When you wear MAlAM, you are wearing a living story: the realisation of a dream, the strength of those who created it with their own hands, and the testimony of someone who gave their all to create it. It is more than just wearing clothes; it is recognising, valuing and being part of this continuity — where each piece carries not only a dream, but also the future of all the MAlAM who continue to begin new stories.
Cidade Velha ao lado da Escola do IEFP
Achada Lém, Assomada, CaboVerde, 7310
To preserve the vibrancy of the patterns and the strength of the fibres, we recommend soaking the fabric in cold salted water for 30 minutes to 1 hour, always separating the brighter colours. This initial care helps to prepare the fabric for repeated use, ensuring it retains its vibrant appearance for longer.
For subsequent washes, opt for lower temperatures – ideally cold water or a delicate cycle – using a mild detergent that protects the colours. Wash items inside out, without bleach or harsh detergents, and, wherever possible, separate them from light-coloured fabrics, as African fabrics and heavily dyed fabrics may run slightly during the first few washes.
To dry, leave the garment to air dry, turned inside out and protected from direct sunlight; avoid tumble dryers and intense heat
When ironing, use a low to medium heat setting and, if necessary, place a thin cloth between the iron and the fabric.
Storing the garment clean, thoroughly dry and in a well-ventilated place helps to preserve its shape, strength and the beauty of the pattern – so that each creation continues to tell its story.
To preserve the vibrancy of the patterns and the strength of the fibres, we recommend soaking the fabric in cold salted water for 30 minutes to 1 hour, always separating the brighter colours. This initial care helps to prepare the fabric for repeated use, ensuring it retains its vibrant appearance for longer.
For subsequent washes, opt for lower temperatures – ideally cold water or a delicate cycle – using a mild detergent that protects the colours. Wash items inside out, without bleach or harsh detergents, and, wherever possible, separate them from light-coloured fabrics, as African fabrics and heavily dyed fabrics may run slightly during the first few washes.
To dry, leave the garment to air dry, turned inside out and protected from direct sunlight; avoid tumble dryers and intense heat
When ironing, use a low to medium heat setting and, if necessary, place a thin cloth between the iron and the fabric.
Storing the garment clean, thoroughly dry and in a well-ventilated place helps to preserve its shape, strength and the beauty of the pattern – so that each creation continues to tell its story.
