FASHION.
CREDITS
Editor-in-Chief & Creative Director
Zina Pusep zina@thecollectionmags.com
Graphic Designer
Jelena Ivovic jelena.ivovich@gmail.com
Photographers
Bojan Ivovic bojanivovich@gmail.com
Natalija Rankovic rankovicanatalija@gmail.com
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Owners
Kieran Kalleher & Rade Ljumović
The Collection Editor-in-Chief
Miodrag Spahić miodrag.spahic@rlcmontenegro.com
FROM THE EDITOR 01
Dear readers, clients and friends
Thank you for being among the rst to experience our inaugural Fashion Edition, powered by The Collection Magazine.
It is an honour to introduce myself and share the vision, goals, and values behind this project.
After years abroad - studying Fine Art in the Netherlands, Film in London, and working in the creative industry - I returned to Montenegro to create The Collection Fashion edition.
This is a curated regional fashion guide and a platform working with talent and businesses in fashion, design, beauty and art.
Our values are rooted in storytelling, innovation, valuable imagery, and meaningful connections.
We prioritize engagement over consumption, and creativity over mere product promotion.
My literature teacher often spoke of the importance of returning home to give back to the environment that you grew up in. For me that is Montenegro, whose allure I see exempli ed by the story of my father.
After a thriving career as a producer for Paramount Pictures, in the heat of Hollywood’s glam and glits, he accidentally discovered Montenegro and never left again.
The following pages are designed as an Editor’s Diary - a personal glimpse into The Collection Fashion conceptual and visual narrative.
I cannot wait to share with you all the exciting projects we are working on and inviting you to be part of.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported this project: my incredibly talented friends, the creative power-couple Bojan and Jelena Ivovic; my beloved father, whose ideas, humour and creative mind never fail to inspire; my stepmom Sonja, our clients, and partners who share the excitement and unshakable trust; our family friend Dragana Cukovic, incredible Vesna Mandic, and the entire The Collection team.
This letter is a personal invitation on this incredible journey - Welcome!
WELCOME
This editorial is my rst handshake to you. A suitcase or purse is an intimate space, like stepping into someone’s bedroom. My mother and I lived apart, and every time she landed at the airport, I would dive into her purse.
It was my favourite ritual, shaping my sense of style, taste in fragrances, and even little habits like carrying a speci c type of gum, throat candy, and believing a red wallet brings luck.
I won’t reveal everything at once. As we get to know each other, the items will become more personal— a shared journey of discovery.
Recently, I’ve been limited to Podgorica, so the featured items focus on this city’s stores and brands. It’s important to highlight that we’re exploring the region and can’t wait to share more beautiful businesses, talents, and stories.
Bra, leather gloves and dress, Elisabetta Franchi Sandals, MSGM
Blazer and sandals, MSGM Leather bag, Philosophy
Sandals, MSGM
Blazer and Shirt, MaxMara
Leather gloves, Elisabetta Franchi
Leather bag, Philosophy
Gypsy Water, Byredo
Anti-aging body cream, Dr Barbara Sturm
belodore.me
leandro-stores.com
Finally, a luxurious body cream that cares for the rest of your skin as much as your face
I always buy only red wallets, as they are belived to bring luck
tenero.me
Wallet, Mont Blanc
Leather bag, Philosophy
Calming Serum, Dr. Barbara Sturm
Pumps, Elisabetta Franchi
Jacket, Elisabetta Franchi
Bra, Elisabetta Franchi
Blazer, MSGM
samms.me
samms.me
REGISTRY
belodore.me
This moistruiser is richer in texture and I love to use it during colder moonths
Giaborghini is without a doubt one of the most comfortable shoes around. Perfect balance between style and comfort.
@mixandmatch.me
samms.me
Feathers just make anything you do feel gracious
Leather Gloves, Elisabetta Franchi
Trousers, TwinSet
Blazer, MaxMara
Age repair moisturiser, Grown Alchemist
Sweater,Luisa Spagnoli
Leather boots, Giaborghini
Enzyme Cleanser, Dr Brabara Sturm
"SKIN IS THE OUTFIT YOU WEAR TILL THE REST OF YOUR LIFE."
EDITOR’S PICK:
STORES
OLYMPUS FASHION
Clothing | Shoes | Accessories WOMEN | MEN
A: Portonovi Resort, Kumbor
T: +382 67 932 777
IG: @olympusfashion.me www.olympusfashion.me
Brands: 1511 | Alaia | Agnona | Balenciaga | Bottega
Veneta | Brunello Cucinelli | Dolce & Gabbana
| The Attico | ETRO | Hogan | Loewe |
Missoni | Mandelli | Rene Caovilla | Gianvito
Rossi | Zilli | Dsquared2 | Zuhair Murad |
Iceberg | Stuart Weitzman
SERBIA
MIAMAYA
Clothing | Shoes | Accessories WOMEN
A: Rajiceva Shopping center
T: +381 69 400 2165
IG: @miamayabeograd W: miamaya.online
Brands: Christian Dior | Celine | Burberry | Moncler
Dolce & Gabbana | Chloé | Valentino
Valentino Garavani | Max Mara | Sportmax
'S | Max Mara | Givenchy | Loewe
Jacquemus | Liviana Conti | JW Anderson
Barbara Bui | Max Mara Studio | Weekend
Max Mara | Victoria Beckham | Marella
Zadig&Voltaire | MiaMaya | Coccinelle Pinko | Elisabetta Franchi | Diego M | Twinset | Marc Jacobs | Falke
KOKA CONCEPT STORE
Clothing | Shoes | Accessories WOMEN | MEN
A: Central Point, 109 Marka Radovica, Podgorica T: +382 68 188 000
IG: @kokaconceptstore
Brands: Kangol | Anine Bing | Pangaia | Autry | Veja | Stand Studio | Copenhagen Studios | H2O Fagerholt | La Revêche | Room 24 | Icon
Denim LA | Timmy & Benjamin | Muuñ | Mates Hultquist Copenhagen | Maya Milano | Amazuin | Saint Sass | Aenao | Rain Kiss
GLOBAL FASHION
Clothing | Shoes | Accessories WOMEN | MEN
A: TC Galerija, Beograd T: +381 69 1066 103
IG: @globalfashion.online W: globalfashion.rs
Brands: Loro Piana | Gianvito Rossi | Tom Ford
Santoni | Malo Cashmire | Jacob Cohen
Enrico Mandelli | Svevo Parma | Barba Napoli
Fay | Bottega Veneta | Zegna | Off-White | MooRER Verona | Stone Island | Palm AngelsMarcelo Burlon | Tod's | Ballantyne Bramani Cashmere | Brunello
Cucinelli | Kiton | Dolce & Gabbana | Jil
Sander | Dsquared |Ami Paris | Yves Salomon | Parajumpers Tagliatore | PT Pantaloni Torino
MIX & MATCH
Clothing | Shoes | Accessories WOMEN
A: Mediteranska, Budva T: +382 69 300 345
IG: @mixandmatch.me
Brands: Giaborghini | Emme | Crime LondonBorbonese | Marella | iBlues Marina Rinaldi
BATAKOVIC BELGRADE
Clothing WOMEN
A: Kralja Petra 11, Belgrade T: +381 62 100 7006
IG: @batakovicbelgrade W: batakovic.com
CROATIA
MARIA STORE
Clothing | Shoes | Accessories WOMEN | MEN
A: Masarykova 8, 10 000 Zagreb
T: info@mariastore.hr | +385 1 4811 011
IG: @mariastorehr
W: mariastore.hr
Brands:
Alaia | Balenciaga | Borsalino
Bottega Veneta | Burberry | Chloe
Common | Projects | Givenchy
Gucci | Im Jewelry | Khaite
Linda Farrow | Loewe | Moncler
Saint Laurent | The Attico | The Row | Valentino
IHAN STORE
Clothing | Shoes | Accessories MEN | WOMEN | KIDS
A: Miklošiceva cesta 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
T: +386 31 607 500
IG: ihan_store_ljubljana
W: ihanstore.com
Brands:
A.P.C. | Alexander Wang | Balenciaga
Brunello Cucinelli | Canada Goose
Chloè | Courreges | Ferragamo
Ganni | Givenchy | Gucci | Isabel Marant | Jacquemus | Mason Margiela | MM6
Rick Owens | Salomon | Stella McCartney
Vivienne Westwood | Y3 | etc.
LAB
Beauty WOMEN | MEN
A: Ul. Ivana Decmana 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
T: +385 (1) 7077 264
IG: @thelabstore
W: lab.hr
Brands: Augustinus Bader | Ouai
Aime | 111SKIN | etc.
BAZERDZAN
Clothing | Accessories WOMEN | MEN
A: Curciluk veliki 12, 71000 Sarajevo
T: +387 62 020 873
IG: @bazerdzan
W: bazerdzan.com
Brands:
Pioneers the rebellion against the throwaway culture in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Over 50 local brands and designers.
ROCCA 1794
Watches | Jewellery WOMEN | MEN
A: Rruga Abdi Toptani, Tiranë 1001, Albania
T: +355 4 562 0514
IG:@Rocca1794
W: rocca1794.com
Brands: Rolex | Damiani | Cartier | Zenith | Girard Perregaux | Venini | Salvini
SLOVENIA
BOSNIA
ALBANIA
THE DESIGNER WHO SOLD
ZINA: Both of us share the experience of living and studying abroad. It strongly in uences creatives, shaping style and values. This experience taught me to value artistic quality in everything-marketing, design, or beyond.
For example, a high-quality perfume becomes more than just a scented liquid; it transforms into an extension of identity, lifestyle, and personal style when paired with an interesting story and artistic value. What are your thoughts on the importance of artistry in fashion?
IGOR: We indeed share a similar path. Returning home after years abroad is both a shock and a responsibility-it demands adapting to and reconciling di erent values.
Fashion is inherently creative and artistic. Creativity keeps it intriguing, while artistry pushes boundaries. Historically, fashion has always drawn from ne art. To me, it merges sculpture, painting, and functionality. Ethics and responsibility are crucial. Research and continual learning are essential, as no one is born knowing everything.
ZINA: How does this re ect in your atelier?
IGOR: Currently, our focus is on entering the Italian market, participating twice in Milan Fashion Week this year. We also presented our Resort collection in a meadow in Zlatibor to highlight ecological issues. Fashion, especially post-COVID, increasingly values sustainability as an ethical responsibility. It’s vital to listen rather than blindly follow trends. A dress should enhance the person wearing it, not overpower themotherwise, it becomes a “toxic friend.”
- The strength of a brand lies in its longevity, and young creatives need tools to turn their ideas into reality.
ZINA: There’s a growing synergy between fashion and interior design, even among fast fashion brands. My rst association is Bauhaus. What’s your take?
IGOR: Fashion re ects societal trends, and during COVID, as we stayed home, interior aesthetics gained prominence. Fashion traditionally focuses outwardly, but this shift toward inner manifestations is refreshing.
ZINA: Trends are integral to de ning eras, but their pace today is dizzying. Aside from the Industrial Revolution, what accelerated this change?
IGOR: The 1990s, under Anna Wintour at Vogue. Christian Lacroix meeting denim transformed fashion, leading to the rapid trend cycles we see today. This creates ecological issues and overconsumption. Post-COVID, the industry is slowly valuing craftsmanship, longevity, and continuity-principles championed by Armani, the “gray-haired titan of Olympus.
ZINA: Higher education abroad o ers more opportunities, but access remains a luxury. Are there regional institutions that could bridge this gap?
IGOR: We have exceptional individuals rather than institutions. Many succeed abroad but are misunderstood locally. Our vast heritage is underutilized. For example, Montenegro’s traditional costumes o er extraordinary potential for craftsmanship.
Art must be rebellious-not destructively, but creatively-to push boundaries. Our atelier supports young apprentices, celebrating their unique, poetic perspectives.
ZINA: How can we support young talent?
IGOR: Platforms, not events, are key. A platform should provide practical experience with textiles, from idea to market placement.
The strength of a brand lies in its longevity, and young creatives need tools to turn their ideas into reality.
ZINA: Balancing artistic and commercial value can be challenging. How do you nd the golden middle ground?
IGOR: It’s about balance-between altruism (commercial accessibility) and egocentrism (artistic ambition). My school dean once said, “You can create a dress resembling the Ei el Tower, but can the person wearing it hug, bend, or run? True success lies in creating something extraordinary yet human.”
SNEAK PEAK
BELGRADE FASHION WEEK
In this photo series, we take you behind the scenes of Belgrade Fashion Week, o ering an exclusive glimpse into the hustle and creativity that fuel this vibrant event. From the meticulous preparations and ttings to the lively backstage atmosphere, our collection of images captures the artistry and passion that go into each show.
PHOTOGRAPHY
ZINA PUSEP & NATALIJA RANKOVIC
EDIT
ZINA PUSEP
A rare glimpse into the backstage world
Aqua Residences, Porto Montenegro
+382 67 135 965
office@aainterior.me
www.aainterior.me
@aainterior.me
Based in Porto Montenegro and working internationally, A&A
Interior offers full-service residential and hospitality interior and exterior design, project management, delivery of furniture and art objects, and more. Established by professionals with worldwide experience, the A&A team has designed some of the most prestigious apartments and villas in the Adriatic region, many of them published in Architectural Digest, ELLE, Vogue and other publications, which have featured A&A as one of the leading design studios in the Adriatic region.
