In 1927, fashion designer Jonuz Pernaska, established ONUS Maison, the first Fashion Salon of Tirana, with 3 people working for him, for the design and creation of high fashion clothing using the finest fabrics.

He was an innovative and courageous fashion    designer who travelled across Europe for the purchase of the finest raw materials such as silk, tulle, velvet, taffeta, wool and other special garments, making the final creations more of an art. The retailers of the salon were located mainly in Italy (Milan/Florence), France (Paris) & GB (London) and the fabrics were selected personally by Mr. Pernaska.

The clothing line was uniquely modelled to reflect high class and nobility, also integrating custom personalisation on tailor-made & bespoke creations since the begining. The logo chosen by Pernaska, the sevenpoint crown and the griffin, came to  symbolize the elegance, heritage and determination of ONUS.

 

MONARCHY

Immediately, the brand became associated with  innovation, in particular Jonuz’s modern designs. During the Albanian Monarchy till it’s end in 1939 the business developed remarkably so much as making the Princesses and the Royal Family of the time regular clients of the haute-couture salon as well. King Ahmet Zogu I was also an appreciator of the salon’s clothing line, further evidencing the  constant growth and recognition as a high quality brand, conveying added value to the final unique creations. Pernaska was so much valued by the King that he did not sign his passport for the partecipation in a 1936 fashion event in Paris, to which Pernaska was invited, by saying: “If we let him go to Paris, the french will keep such a talent for themselves!”.

 

ITALIAN occupation

In 1939, during World War II, the Italian army    occupied Albania and settled in Tirana till 1943. During this period the business flourished and ONUS started to be recognized and appreciated in Italy as well.

It was also beneficial as various joint ventures and collaborations with italian design and fabric production companies were achieved, further expanding our customer base.

 

GERMAN occupation

In 1943 till the end of World War II, the German army occupied Albania and settled in Tirana.

Caracterised by an enormous agression in November 1944, a part of Tirana was burned to the ground, sadly the ONUS salon being one of the burned stores. The salon was rebuilt in 1945.

 

COMMUNISM

After the war, while Europe was being slowly and painfully rebuilt, the Communist system was implemented in Eastern Europe, including Albania.

This was the most unfortunate event as it hit the private sector and the bourgeoisie. The salon was forced to close, but Jonuz Pernaska continued the activity at home with a limited production, for a particular type of clientele, the loyal customers and the new elite of the time.

In 1951 Pernaska was appointed to establish and direct the Fashion Salon of Albania, owned by the state, putting together all the best craftsmen where he contributed vigorously.

 

EMBROIDERY HERITAGE

In 1933, embroidery master Beaudin Erebara, established the first embroidery company in Tirana, for the creation of delicate complex ornamental  applications using the finest threads, including gold plated ones. He studied the embroidery skills in Cairo, Egypt by fine artisans, succesfully graduating he returned in Tirana. He was among the most important merchants of the time, especially of luxury and gold threaded fabrics.

Jonuz & Beaudin worked alongside from the begining and they went beyond business uniting their families with the marrriage of the eldest son of Jonuz, Ylber and the eledest daughter of Beaudin Myzejen. The Erebara Embroidery is in activity even today.

 

THE HAND-OVER

By 1970, Jonuz Pernaska was a successful designer although confined by the bounderies of the communist sytem his creations were bound to remain local. Only one problem remained; who would carry the business forward after he retired? The answer was simple - Myzejen Erebara, at the time was Jonuz Pernaska’s most valued apprentiece.

In 1971, in a family trip as a guest in the former  Yugoslavia, unexpectedly, Jonuz passed away, leaving behind a precious legacy in the fashion  industry. Myzejen, the wife of Ylber, the oldest son of Jonuz continued the activity in the field of custom tailoring, unfortunatelly even more limitely, given the conditions that allowed that system.

ONUS TODAY

 

In 2016, the Pernaska family, decided to continue the heritage left by the great designer Jonuz Pernaska, restoring the salon, branded as the first Albanian fashion brand, named ONUS (associated with the name of Jonuz and the latin meaning  "Obligation") to carry passion, art and talent in the fashion world, even for the current and future generations. Jonuz Pernaska’s son, grand daughter and great grand son, namely:

Ylber Pernaska, a successful entrepreneur, becomes the majority shareholder of ONUS;

Lajla Pernaska, a human rights activist and  successful Council of Europe politician, becomes the Brand Ambassador of ONUS;

Fiordi Pernaska, graduated in International Economics in Milan in the Bocconi University and in Law School of University of Tirana, becomes the CEO of ONUS, to carry his great grand father‘s legacy.

 

Far from resting on its laurels, ONUS was constantly undergoing change, never losing sight of the fact that innovation had always been key to it’s success. ONUS invested significantly in R&D endevours and craftsmen training programs concerning new production methods involving more intense product personalisation and is now a high-tech innovative brand as it pioneers the most cutting edge 3D Printing Technology and it’s    integration into the fashion industry for the realisation of the final creations, allowing full and unlimited custom personalisation, making them unique.

Key to maintaining the highest quality was of course the effective partnership with the best producers and merchants of fabrics in the world such as: Scabal, Holland&Sherry, Loro Piana, Dormeuil and so on, the roots of whom are in perfect harmony with the roots of ONUS, achieving nothing else than excelence.

 

In 2016, ONUS’s first range of accessories was launched. This followed the creation of a new luxury accessories focused sub-brand, VIP TIE.

Designed & Made in Italy, characterized by their finish and the high quality of their raw materials: crocodile leather, snake leather, ostrich leather, mother of pearl, Egyptian cotton, silk, cashmere, vicuna and so on.

The collection includes ties (ready to wear, made to measure and bespoke), bowties, pochette-s, collars and ribbons. VIP TIE combines 3D Printing & Hand Crafting complementarily allowing unlimited custom  personalisation.

 

In March 2017 ONUS was entitled with “The Balkans First Fully 3D Printed Fashion Collection” title by the NY based “3dprint.com” community with an article dedicated to it’s realisation in  collaboration with the Miss Globe 2016  international beauty event.

In November 2017, ONUS presented a Partially 3D Printed fashion collection, wearing 56 states with the Miss Globe 2017 international beauty event. This had a large impact in the democratisation of this technology making it more accessible to the public.

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