AMBER Kotrri’s passion for ethically sourced and sustainable, high-quality clothing has attracted headlines for unexpected reasons – but her dedication hasn’t dimmed.
The Darlington businesswoman may be involved in an anxious legal battle with fashion giant ZARA but outside the court room she continues to promote her home-grown fashion brand to a global audience.
Keen to find out more about the unique clothing items on offer, we headed down to the concept store on Grange Road to look around.
Mrs Kotrri’s passion for fashion and intense work ethic is clear to see as soon as you step inside the store, which opened in 2019. There are so many designs, colours and different clothing items available that it’s a shop for anyone.
One of the store’s top sellers are its kimonos - a long, loose traditional Japanese robe with wide sleeves, tied with a sash.
Read more: Darlington's House of Zana and ZARA in court over branding
All the pieces are hand-made by House of Zana’s expert seamstresses in Albania and are described as “versatile” items that you can wear with jeans, dresses, and even around the house or on the beach.
“All of these are really unique pieces, there’s no way you’ll see them anywhere else,” Mrs Kotrri said.
The former Stockton Riverside College student says her time studying in Italy has inspired her fashion today. “I think with a lot of the prints and buildings there, you can see I was inspired by that. I don’t think I realised I was until I started the business and now I look back and I can see the connection.”
Read more: Zara threatens Darlington's House of Zana with action over branding
Elsewhere in the shop there are “flattering” multi-use dresses which have been flying off the shelves.
Mrs Kotrri plays a pivotal role in the daily operation, from designing clothing to selecting fabrics, but it is her team in Albania which she praises as her experts. “They make everything and send it here,” she said. “It works really well.”
Upstairs is Treasure Darlington, the businesses sister brand, which sells more items including children’s clothing. There’s also gifts on offer from an array of local independent businesses, and entrepreneurs are always welcome at the store.
Mrs Kotrri said: “If you have a small business, and you’re from the area, and you’re interest in finding a stockist, I’m always happy to talk and I would love to find new businesses that we can connect with.”
Sustainable fashion is also at the heart of House of Zana and Mrs Kotrri’s brand values, and she says she has seen a huge shift among the local fashion industry recently
“We have no waste with our fabrics,” she said. “Everything we have left is made into scrunchies, eye masks or face coverings. We make sure that nothing is wasted.”
I’m really passionate about Darlington and its got a special place in my heart. A lot of things are happening here, and in general in the North East, its all sort of booming. I feel very strong about if you’re ready to start a business, now is the time.
Upstairs there’s a large wardrobe area where shoppers can try on items and plan outfits. There’s also the opportunity of creating bespoke items, fitted to an individuals size and shape.
Read more: Darlington House of Zana owner's stress over Zara court battle
ZARA argued in court that the potential low-quality and out-of-season House of Zana designs would affect the reputation of the global chain, but Mrs Kotrri laughs of this claim as nonsense
She said: “I was quite horrified, and it was really hard to bite my tongue.
“I would say the quality of our products is much better than theirs, it’s all handmade, and I was offended by it.
“But also, we don’t follow fast fashion we are totally separate businesses. We are creating a style, not following it.”
Despite ZARA’s legal threats Mrs Kotrri and House of Zana are battling on and continuing to serve customers new and old. She even jokes that her businesses is her firstborn so she has three children.
“I absolutely love being in the store,” she said. “I love explaining mystory. I’m so passionate about it, it means so much to me, which is why the whole fight that’s going on is soul destroying.
“It’s like my first child and I feel like we’re just at the beginning, especially with Covid, we’re just starting to see the growth and I want it to carry on.”
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