While audiences across the emerging Europe region and beyond are currently more familiar with pop stars and artists of Kosovo origin, such as Rita Ora and Dua Lipa, the rising stars of the Kosovo fashion industry are poised to make their mark.
In her 2017 hit single Blow Your Mind, Kosovo Albanian popstar Dua Lipa oozes confidence and self-assurance while highlighting that there is excellence in being unapologetically oneself.
This same sensibility can be found in the country’s nascent fashion scene.
Kosovo is Europe’s youngest country and like all teenagers it is growing, evolving and finding its voice. This can certainly be said of Kosovo’s vibrant and exciting fashion scene. The country is home to a creative hub of designers and labels who mix tradition with cultural diversity and curiosity to produce something new, bold and fresh.
Nurturing the Kosovo fashion sector
Against this background, the Fostering Employment and Growth Opportunities (FEGO) project was launched in Kosovo, and fashion is one of the sectors that is being targeted for support.
This is financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and implemented by Swisscontact in Kosovo. The project aims to generate employment and income for women, men, and youth facing socio-economic marginalisation.
This goal is achieved through the sustainable growth of micro and small businesses, particularly in the apparel, furniture, and rural tourism sectors.
FEGO applies a Market Systems Development (MSD) approach, emphasising market facilitation and innovative business models to ensure systemic, scalable and sustainable sectoral growth.
Key objectives include fostering business development and improving market linkages to support inclusive market systems and private sector job creation, particularly for women and young people.
An explosion of creative and entrepreneurial talent
The breadth and depth of the fashion ecosystem in Kosovo is exemplified by the companies and designers that have been chosen to benefit from the FEGO project. The brands offer a selection of womenswear, unisex sportswear and underwear as well as high-end fashion creations.
YKLLA for example offers stunning hand-made outfits with a sense of social responsibility. A commitment to society and the environment is fundamental to the brand along with every garment being created with love.
Meanwhile, S//SPRINT is a brand creating sportswear and underwear for the Kosovo and international markets. The company has global ambitions and is committed to the highest standards of quality in the textile production sector.
Another firm, BRONTE, is focused on producing unisex sportswear, while maintaining a clear inspiration from contemporary streetstyle. Fiercely proud of its Prishtina roots, the company mixes Balkan passion with a contemporary international aesthetic.
Also based in Prishtina, Labentiné is a slow fashion brand which is committed to sustainability and ethical practices. The designer mixes innovation and authenticity while focusing on zero-waste designs.
Labentiné is equipped with a dedicated atelier that blends traditional craftsmanship with modern, sustainable practices, ensuring exceptional quality for bespoke and small-batch collections.
Finally, Merita Harxhi Koci (MHK) is a fashion house that was founded in 2011, with a commitment to provide unique and exclusive dresses of high quality. MHK designs and creates womenswear with a focus on fine and exclusive materials.
Driven by artistic, modern and luxurious design and style, the brand is driven by couture-like quality and a high level of customer service.
While audiences across the emerging Europe region and beyond are currently more familiar with pop stars and artists of Kosovo origin, such as Rita Ora and Dua Lipa, the rising stars of the Kosovo fashion industry are poised to make their mark.
A new eagle is certainly rising in the world of fashion. The possibilities are indeed endless.
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