Albania Fashion Week 2025 brings Albanian talent and creativity to the international fashion circuit, uniting emerging young designers and major global names in an event that celebrates sartorial excellence, stylistic innovation, and the valorisation of the country’s cultural heritage.
October 25, 2025 marked a historic and extraordinarily significant milestone for the Albanian fashion scene. Gentiana Dervishi, an Albanian with Italian citizenship and founder of Albania Fashion Week, officially inaugurated the first modern and institutionally recognized edition of the event, realizing her vision of placing Albanian talent and creativity at the center of the international fashion stage while simultaneously attracting globally renowned designers and stylists to Albania, creating a virtuous bridge between local culture and global trends. The event took place at the prestigious Palazzo dei Congressi in Tirana, a building of extraordinary historical and cultural relevance, located opposite the Presidential Offices, in the heart of the capital’s institutional district.
The choice of location was far from random, as it underlined the institutional and symbolic weight of the event, conferring international stature and institutional recognition to Albanian fashion, historically ready to consolidate itself as a strategic sector and promoter of the country’s cultural image. AFW stands out as an international reference platform where sartorial excellence, stylistic innovation, and environmental sustainability converge harmoniously. The showcase successfully highlighted both young Albanian talents, students and emerging designers, and internationally renowned stylists, creating an ecosystem in which dialogue between established experience and emerging creativity becomes the driving force of innovation and global visibility.
The event recorded over 500 attendees, including national media, strategically relevant journalists, institutional representatives, influencers, international buyers, and entertainment personalities, immediately establishing the showcase as an indispensable reference point in both the Albanian and international fashion calendars. After the event, Gentiana Dervishi declared: “Although I have lived in Italy for 23 years, my connection with my homeland, Albania, has consolidated and strengthened over the years until it became irreplaceable. I felt the need, with every fiber of my being, to create something meaningful and lasting for my country. As the creator and promoter of numerous successful editions of GX Fashion Week in Milan and Paris, events that have seen internationally acclaimed designers perform on the most prestigious stages, I felt that the time had come to bring this experience to my native country. From my perspective, Albania is one of the European countries evolving with great responsibility and giant steps and deserved a platform to showcase its creative and cultural potential.
Today the world will discover the creativity, elegance, and strength of Albanian talent, while our country welcomes the great names of international fashion. With immense pride and profound love, I officially declare AFW 2025 open!” In a highly symbolic and scenically striking gesture, the red ribbon was cut directly on the runway, not in front of an institutional building, but under the watchful and admiring eyes of a large and selected audience, who received her impeccable elegance, organizational precision, and innovative strategic vision with warm applause and unanimous acclaim This moment marked the beginning of a chapter destined to leave a lasting imprint on the international fashion world and to place Albania as a new emerging and sophisticated player on the global fashion scene. Making this first edition of AFW exceptional where local and international talents, emerging and established, who combined creativity, craftsmanship, and aesthetic research on the runway. Etnik Shala, one of the leading contemporary Kosovar designers, presented iconic collections such as Etnikografi and Symphony of Flower.
Recognized for his connection to Albanian culture, he opened his first atelier at only 17 and has received international awards including the “Grand Prix” and the “Big See Award.” His creations combine cultural sensitivity, contemporary aesthetics and craftsmanship, establishing him as a reference in Balkan fashion. Tommaso Pieri, founder of the SartoriaPieri brand, transformed fashion into a language of the soul, creating unique garments that combine introspection, emotion, and meaning, realized in collaboration with master artisans. Every piece tells stories of transformation and authenticity. For the Albanian Design Academy, Aslama Galicaj presented Elaila, exploring inner light and the veil as a symbol of dignity.
The collection combines urban comfort and spiritual depth, transforming modesty and reserve into conscious elegance. Bukurie Cani, with Mitara Shinu, conveyed fragility and hidden beauty through black-and-white contrasts and Oriental-inspired brushstrokes, turning each garment into a silent language of the soul. Anjeza Baraku, with Renew, reinterpreted vintage pieces, celebrating authenticity and the continuity of individuality in a trend-dominated world. Denisa Paça, with Whisper of White, united scuba and tulle to create light yet structured garments, transforming delicacy into aesthetic harmony and silent power. Rexhina Kurti, trained by Ardi Asllani and active with the Kurt_Istore brand, presented “Një vegim mes imagjinatës dhe reales”, exploring the boundary between dream and reality.
The garments combine ethereal transparencies, black and white, and volumetric details, transforming the runway into a poetic experience. Ezgi Özalan, whit Titanya, born in Istanbul and raised in Albania, presented handmade, volumetric yet delicate creations that transform simple fabrics into living works of art, merging strength and sensitivity. Klarisa Vulaj, graduate of the Albanian Design Academy, showcased creations that interpret fashion as an expressive language, combining fabrics, colors, and forms to convey personality and emotion. Aurela Kalemi, with Warrior Grace, celebrated women as a fusion of strength and grace, inspired by the ancient world and cinema, with fluid silhouettes, golden details, and harmonious movement. Megisa Margjegja, with Në Gjirin e Tokës, explored the relationship between humans and nature, using iron and leather as emotional language: iron evokes struggle and resilience, leather roots and support. The garments recall natural elements, creating a balance between strength and authenticity. Blendina Katona, from Kosovo, presented Active Women, inspired by 1980s businesswomen. The collection blends masculine and feminine clothing, vintage accessories, and versatility, designed to accompany the modern woman throughout her day. Edita Nimanbegu Barović, founder of Eden Atelier, showcased Sculpted Silence, blending minimalism, architectural lines, and feminine silhouettes.
Handcrafted details, bold volumes, and clean lines narrate the silent power and controlled elegance of every woman. Griffe Academy, specialized in design, styling, and the art of beauty, brought several talents to the runway. Mimoza Alla, with Mimo Style Artist, presented Albanian artisan-made garments merging tradition and contemporaneity. Shpresime Demollari, with Amuse, celebrated elegance and femininity through clean lines and natural forms. Alba Selmanaj transformed each garment into a poetic story, expressing strength and delicacy through cuts, seams, and fabrics. Valbona Doksani Hoxhaj combined technique and creativity in modern, refined garments, highlighting personality and character.
Tradita Popullore forged a bridge between history and Albanian culture as a living reflection of national tradition and identity. Tradita Popullore stood out for its artisanal production of garments from all regions of Albania, crafted with meticulous care and high-quality traditional materials. From the northern xhubleta with its ancient motifs to the dimiqti, every element reflects authenticity, mastery, and respect for cultural heritage. With passion and professionalism, it preserves the Albanian sartorial legacy, transforming each costume into a symbol of national history and identity, capable of narrating past traditions and passing them to future generations. Closing the runway was Giuseppe Fata, one of the most prominent names of Made in Italy, recognized as “the genius of art on the head” and awarded Best Designer at the Boulevard University of Paris. He collaborated with maisons such as Valentino, Chanel, Dior, and Lagerfeld, and with international film stars including Sean Connery and Nicole Kidman, participating in festivals such as Cannes, Los Angeles, and Venice. His creations have graced international runways in Milan, Paris, New York, London, and Dubai and have been published in Vogue, L’Officiel, and Harper’s Bazaar. Winner of three fashion Oscars in Dubai, he contributed to major events such as Eurovision, X Factor, the Sanremo Festival, and the Met Gala. In April 2023, his sacred art works were consecrated in the Holy Land, receiving official recognition from the Consul of Jerusalem and the Basilica of Bethlehem. Alessia Xhafa coordinated AFW as Head of Backstage and Technical Team, orchestrating models, styling, and show timings with precision and flair. Alessio Marrari, communicator and blogger, co-coordinated the event, contributing his expertise in communication and fashion events. Fundamental were also the contributions of Arjentina Kola and Julian Napoleoni, respectively professional photographer and founder of Portraitlife.eu, who supported the direction of the event by overseeing organizational details and highlighting the overall vision, and Julian, who assisted the team with his expertise in direction and technical coordination, ensuring that every aspect of the event operated in perfect harmony.
The Hair & Make-Up Artists of AFW were: Eglantina Picari, Dea Marchetti, Angela Raicu, Motoc Monica, Brunilda Mandri, Valentina Shala, Patriche Roxana Maria, Sefora Lazarut, Constantina Maria, Oltjana Muca, Ersuela Duraj, Maletaj Boris, Michele Palmisano, Endri Ramaliu, Klea Baboci, Minushe Dauti, Marjeta Shahini—all coordinated by Alex Radulescu, Diana Jaupi, and Roberto Rosini, who ensured styling and makeup in perfect alignment with the artistic vision of the runway.
(Credits: Arjentina Kola, Genta Mema, Martina Terranova, Ana Nikollaj, Valentina Krasilte, Kristina Shkurti)
