MONARCHY

Immediately, the brand became associated with innovation, in particular ONUS modern designs. During the Albanian Monarchy till it’s end in 1939 the business developed remarkably, the Princesses and the Royal Family becoming regular clients of the haute-couture maison. King Ahmet Zogu I was also an appreciator of the ONUS 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 the King 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. Various joint ventures and collaborations with italian design and fabric production companies were achieved, further expanding ONUS’s know-how and customer base.

GERMAN occupation

In 1943 till the end of World War II, the German army occupied Albania and settled in Tirana. Characterised by an enormous agression in November 1944, a part of Tirana was burned to the ground, sadly ONUS Maison being one of the burned buildings. The maison 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 maison was forced to officilly 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 considerably.

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 24K gold plated ones. He mastered the embroidery skills studying in Cairo, Egypt with the finest artisans, graduating top of his class 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. This further expanded ONUS Maison’s know-how and offerings, including state of the art embroidery in the ONUS creations. 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. 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 limited by the conditions that allowed the communist system.

ONUS TODAY

In 2016, the Pernaska family, decided to continue the heritage left by the great designer Jonuz Pernaska, restoring ONUS Maison (associated with the name of Jonuz and the latin meaning "Obligation") to carry passion, innovation, art and talent in the fashion world, even for the current and future generations.

Far from resting on its laurels, ONUS has been constantly undergoing change, never losing sight of the fact that innovation has always been key to it’s success. ONUS invests continuously in R&D endevours and craftsmen training programs concerning new sustainable production methods involving more intense product personalization.

ONUS is now a high-tech innovative company as it pioneers the most cutting edge 3D printing technology and it’s integration into the fashion industry for the production of sustainable fabrics, clothing and accessories, allowing full and unlimited custom personalization, making the final products unique while at the same contributing for a safer environment. ONUS holds several invention production patents in this regard.

Key to maintaining the highest quality isof 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 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 international beauty event.

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

In December 2017, ONUS was featured in FORBES Russia for innovation breakthroughs regarding 3D Printing alongside Google, Microsoft, Nike, Adidas and others.