For 33 years, fashion designer Valbona Mezini has been running an atelier dedicated to designing and tailoring various types of clothing.
Recently, she moved from Tirana back to her hometown, opening her business in the characteristic Bazaar of Gjirokastër. Her traditional atelier, set along the cobbled street, has already attracted the attention of both locals and tourists. Valbona says that designing, sewing, and creating clothes has fascinated her since childhood.
“I’ve loved this since I was a child because I always wanted to have something special to wear. Even as a kid, it was my dream. When I was in my first year of high school, I sewed my own apron — that’s how much I loved this craft and wanted to be different. I studied at Petro Nini Luarasi High School in Tirana, and I also learned garment-making. After school, I started working, continued my education, and was always drawn to this profession. I loved it deeply and did it with passion,” said fashion designer Valbona Mezini.
For Valbona, designing and sewing clothes is captivating because it combines art and elegance. With every person she meets, she tries to find what is unique about them so she can create a one-of-a-kind garment that fits their individuality.
“I do this work with love. When I sit down to make a model, I start sewing and keep changing it — sometimes dozens of times — until I create something I truly like. It’s so rewarding when people tell me that my designs are unique and special. I make each model only once — that’s the beauty of it: every person wears something distinctive that no one else has,” she added.
Today, the blouses, dresses, and suits she creates for people of all ages attract the interest not only of Gjirokastër residents but also of visitors from around the world. In fact, several foreign ambassadors and well-known figures wear her designs.
“My clothes attract a lot of attention from tourists — especially the French, Dutch, and Germans. Ambassadors have also bought my designs. It’s a real pleasure to see someone like [former U.S. Ambassador] Yuri Kim wearing my dress, or when other ambassadors come back to my atelier. It’s not just a joy — it’s emotional, because when someone from abroad appreciates your work, you feel even more fulfilled,” she said.
Valbona intends to continue her profession for the rest of her life, driven by the emotion and satisfaction that come with creating original, unique garments for each individual.
“I will keep doing this profession as long as I live — it gives me life. Money has never been my priority; for me, it has always been about the work and the love I have for it,” Valbona emphasized.
Today, Gjirokastër is seeing growing interest in the art of fashion design and tailoring, particularly in the creation of traditional and national clothing — a craft that Valbona Mezini continues to keep alive with heart and dedication.
