Dubai’s premier fashion gathering gains international star power as Albanian media personality and fashion entrepreneur Luana Vjollca prepares to headline the Dubai Mall Festival of Fashion on January 30. The multifaceted entertainer-turned-designer will deliver a keynote address titled “From Vision to Brand,” detailing her remarkable transition from television fame to fashion entrepreneurship.
Vjollca brings considerable credibility to the fashion forum, having built an entertainment career spanning nearly two decades since her television debut at age 15. Her portfolio includes hosting flagship Albanian programs including Fiks Fare, Top Fest, Love Island Albania, and creating her own formats that established her as a dominant force in Balkan media. This extensive background in entertainment now informs her approach to building her fashion label, LULU.
The designer’s fashion venture emerged from a period of introspection, culminating in a brand philosophy centered on creating clothing “for women by an empowered woman.” LULU’s distinctive aesthetic combines body-conscious silhouettes with structural elements inspired by traditional corsetry, all crafted from premium materials sourced internationally by Vjollca herself. The brand has achieved remarkable commercial success since its launch, with collections frequently selling out—a testament to its resonant design language and Vjollca’s innate understanding of her audience.
Unlike many celebrity-founded labels, Vjollca maintains hands-on involvement across all operational aspects, from design conception to marketing strategy and social media management. Her Dubai appearance will highlight this comprehensive approach, offering insights into the discipline required to maintain creative vision while scaling a fashion business. Organizers anticipate she will share substantive industry knowledge rather than superficial celebrity commentary, reflecting her reputation for transparency in an often-opaque industry.
The Festival of Fashion presentation represents a significant evolution in Vjollca’s public persona—transitioning from entertainment performer to serious business innovator. Her participation adds considerable weight to Dubai’s fashion calendar, blending regional celebrity appeal with genuine entrepreneurial substance. The event aims to spotlight emerging voices in design and retail, making Vjollca’s journey from television studios to fashion ateliers a particularly relevant narrative for aspiring designers and business owners.