Our Story

Hëna Studios is a testament to the enduring strength of the remarkable people who came before me. Drawing from their boundless love and wavering resilience, Hëna Studios stands as a beacon of their legacy inspired by their courage and fortitude. Hëna Studios will serve as both a mirror of our cultural values and a means of preserving and transmitting those values across generations. In doing so, I hope to make both my ancestors and future generations proud of what we are building together. 

A Love Letter to Albania: Behind the Baresha Collection

Where is your family from: My father was born in Kukaj but raised in Prishtina and my mother was born and raised in Prishtina.

Favorite city: Between Tirana and Prishtina

Favorite moment from this shoot in Vuthaj, Montenegro:

An Albanian tradition you may not know: Besa is a medieval code of honor that emphasizes looking after guests and strangers. Besa literally means "to keep the promise".

Must try food: Flia (or flija) is a traditional Albanian dish from northern Albania and Kosova, made of layered crêpe-like pancakes brushed with cream. Its name, meaning "sacrifice," symbolizes the Sun in its layered shape. Flia has been passed down through generations and continues to be a staple in Kosova households. 

Favorite Albanian saying: "E bukura e dheut" an Albanian folklore that symbolizes perfect beauty, both physically and spiritually. They are often described as a magical and mysterious person who lives in sacred or unreachable places. 

Describe a perfect day in Albania: Going out for a hike with your family and being picked up mid hike by a tractor filled with another family to go pick blueberries at the summit. Afterwards being invited in to try all the home made milks, cheeses, and pickled vegetables.

How does Albania inspire you: Albania deeply inspires me. Despite centuries of occupation by numerous invaders, the country has preserved its language and traditions, passing them down through generations not in written form, but through shared stories. Due to its unique geography, history, and culture, we would like to believe that Albania is destined to bridge the divide between the West and East, promoting peace, understanding, cooperation, and coexistence for a brighter future.