When Albanian designer Lejda Troci opened Paris Fashion Week with her brand A Tangerine Design, the audience inside the luxurious Shangri-La Hotel witnessed more than a fashion show — they witnessed a story of strength, survival, and inspiration.

The runway lit up with 20 stunning models wearing her latest creations, each infused with delicate details that celebrated Albanian culture and femininity. One model wore a traditional Albanian plis, symbolizing Troci’s pride in her heritage. And when Lejda walked out at the end — hand in hand with her young daughter, who also modeled her designs — the room erupted in applause. It was a moment that blended art, motherhood, and resilience in one powerful scene.

“It was amazing” Troci told Atlantiku moments after the show. “Paris is one of the biggest fashion places, so I’m very, very happy. It was a very difficult year, but I was able to do it. And I’m glad that I’m able to bring our Albanian culture to the Paris stage.”

That “difficult year,” as she describes it, was one of the hardest chapters of her life. For the past year and a half, Lejda Troci has been fighting cancer — a battle that almost stopped her from pursuing her dreams.

“For the last year and a half, I was diagnosed with cancer,” she revealed. “At that moment, even though I had already made all the pre-arrangements to be part of this, I said, I don’t think I can do it — because I might not even be here. It was very, very hard. But with the support of my family, my husband, and my daughter — even though she’s very young — I made it. They gave me the strength; they were my main courage.”

Her comeback to Paris is not just a personal victory — it’s a message of hope for every woman facing a similar battle. “Courage and optimism help a lot,” she said. “We are strong. Women give life — and that’s the hardest thing we can do. Fashion and design are just a pleasure.”

But Troci’s mission goes beyond her own success. In October, she will travel to Florida to speak to a group of 20 women currently going through cancer treatments, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. “I’m getting ready for Florida, because I have to address women that are going through cancer. After that, we’re trying to organize a fashion show there — maybe with more Albanian designers and models. I want to bring our roots, our culture, and our music to the world.”

Her dream is to make Albanian artistry recognized on every global runway — from Paris to Miami, Milan to New York. And her advice for young Albanian designers is simple but powerful:
“Don’t give up hope. It’s hard. It’s a very difficult industry to break in. Never give up.”