Who Is By Malina? The Stockholm Occasion Label, Explained

By Malina is a Stockholm occasion label founded in 2010 by Malin Ek Andrén, known for satin dresses, sculpted tops, bridal gowns and monogram leather accessories. The brand now trades as Malina, and Coveti lists it under its original name, By Malina.

If you have searched “by malina” and landed here, you are probably trying to work out three things: who is behind the label, how the clothes fit, and whether the price matches the make. This guide answers all three with the facts we hold, and points you to the pieces worth starting with.

The short history

Malin Ek Andrén studied at Parsons School of Design in New York. After that she worked in garment production in Hong Kong with Scandinavian brands, which is where she learned how a collection is actually made, costed and shipped. She then returned to Stockholm and founded By Malina in 2010.

The label began with something very practical. Andrén was making her own pieces to wear to weddings and parties, because the dresses she wanted were not on the rails. That origin still shapes the collection today. Most of what the house makes is built for an occasion: a wedding, a dinner, a party, a ceremony. The everyday pieces exist, but they read as the supporting cast.

In recent seasons the brand has shortened its trading name to Malina. You will see “Malina” on the monogram hardware, the belts and the bags. Coveti keeps the original By Malina name on the brand page because that is how most shoppers still search for it.

In 2024 By Malina and the Swedish cashmere label Soft Goat opened a joint flagship store in Bibliotekstan, the shopping district in central Stockholm. The opening was announced by the property owner Hufvudstaden in a press release in December 2023.

What By Malina makes

The collection splits into four clear groups.

Occasion dresses

This is the core. Expect satin midi and maxi dresses with high necklines, draped backs, cape sleeves and detachable scarves. The Zindy Fitted Pouf Sleeve Midi Dress in Black, from $840, is a fitted heavy satin with a pouf sleeve and a back slit. The Leah Maxi Dress in Champagne, from $870, is a sleeveless satin maxi with a cowl neckline. Both are typical of the house: clean shapes, one strong detail, nothing fussy. Our wedding guest guide sorts the dresses by dress code.

Sculpted tops and blouses

By Malina cuts tops the way it cuts dresses. The Ninni Top in Black, from $620, has a sculpted hourglass shape, a deep V and structured shoulders with a cut-out. The Cleo Blouse in Black, from $580, is an oversized blouse with a pouf balloon sleeve. See the full breakdown in By Malina tops and blouses.

Bridal

The bridal line covers lace and satin gowns, short dresses for the civil ceremony and the after party, bridal separates and veils. Gowns in the current edit start at $2,210. Our By Malina wedding dresses guide walks through every silhouette.

Tailoring and accessories

Blazers and coats round out the ready-to-wear, from the fitted Carol Leather Blazer in Black to wool blend coats. Accessories centre on the Malina monogram: leather totes, bucket bags, belts, silk scarves and small leather goods. There is a separate guide to jackets, blazers and coats and one to monogram bags and accessories.

Where By Malina is made

Most By Malina pieces are made in China, in the provinces of Guangdong, Zhejiang and Jiangsu. A smaller group comes from Turkey and Italy. In the Coveti edit, the leather blazers, the Paige leather trousers and the Katia jeans are made in Istanbul, and the leather belts are made in Verdello, Italy. Every product page states the country and region of manufacture, so you can check before you buy.

Fabric choices are worth reading too. Many of the satin dresses use an acetate and polyester blend, often with a viscose lining. The knitwear uses wool and cashmere blends and alpaca blends. Each product page lists the full composition and the care instruction, which ranges from hand wash to dry clean only.

How By Malina fits

By Malina sizes in European numeric sizing, and Coveti converts that to UK sizing on every product page. EU 36 is a UK 8, which is a US 4. Some pieces, mostly knits and jersey, are sold in letter sizes instead.

The brand describes most pieces as fitting true to size. A few satin styles run small, and the product page says so when that is the case. The Zora Long Sleeve Midi Dress in Black Marble is one example, and the note on the page suggests the next size up. Models on the brand site are typically 176 to 178 cm tall and wear EU 36.

For the full conversion table and the fit notes by category, read the By Malina size guide.

How By Malina compares

By Malina sits in the same occasion space as several labels Coveti already stocks. It is closer in feel to Copenhagen labels such as ROTATE Birger Christensen and Stine Goya than to the quiet minimalism people often expect from Stockholm. Where ROTATE leans on shine and Stine Goya on print, By Malina leans on cut: a defined waist, a high neck, a draped back.

If you are deciding between By Malina and an Australian label, our By Malina vs Zimmermann guide sets them side by side. For a wider field, see brands like By Malina, and for the regional context, Scandinavian occasion wear.

Where to start

If you are new to the label, start with one satin dress in a dark colour, because it will work for more of the year. The Zindy in black is the easiest entry point. If you want something lighter, the Ingrid Midi Dress in Pearl, from $910, is a satin midi with a V-neck, a fitted waist and a detachable scarf, which gives you two looks from one dress.

If you want an accessory first, the Monogram Belt in Black, from $400, carries the gold-tone Malina monogram buckle and is made in Italy. It works over a blazer, a coat and a satin dress alike.

Editor’s note: I would buy By Malina for the occasion you already have in the diary, then wear it again for the next one. The pieces are designed to be repeated.

Where to buy By Malina

You can shop By Malina on Coveti, where every piece is listed in US dollars with UK sizing, the composition and the country of manufacture. The full range sits on the By Malina brand page. In Stockholm, the brand also sells from the shared flagship with Soft Goat in Bibliotekstan.

Frequently asked questions

Who founded By Malina?

By Malina was founded in 2010 in Stockholm by Malin Ek Andrén. She studied at Parsons School of Design in New York and worked in garment production in Hong Kong before returning to Sweden.

Is By Malina the same brand as Malina?

Yes. The label now trades as Malina, and the monogram on its hardware reads Malina. Coveti lists it under the original name, By Malina.

Where are By Malina clothes made?

Most pieces are made in China, in Guangdong, Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces. A smaller number are made in Turkey and Italy, including the leather blazers, the jeans and the leather belts.

Does By Malina fit true to size?

The brand describes most pieces as fitting true to size. A few satin styles run small, and the product page tells you when to take the next size up.

Does By Malina have a store in Stockholm?

Yes. In 2024 By Malina and the cashmere label Soft Goat opened a joint flagship store in Bibliotekstan, Stockholm.