During her late teens, Albana worked at the luxury department boutique, Harvey Nichols. While studying her Art & Design Foundation Course, she dedicated her weekends to being a sales assistant in the beachwear and lingerie department.

Driven by ambition and a strong work ethic, she rapidly climbed the ranks to become a Stylist for the Style Concierge department, and later achieved the position of Senior Stylist. Surrounded by a diverse array of designers, brands, and products, her inspiration grew, leading her to realize her passion for designing. When she discovered the opportunity to study a Lingerie/Swimwear specific Design course, she knew it was the path she wanted to pursue.

Albana pursued her studies in Fashion Contour at the prestigious London College of Fashion. In her final year at university, she conceived the idea behind her brand. Leveraging her exceptional knowledge of fashion, trends, and keen eye for detail, she embarked on designing and developing the inaugural collection of Swim by Alba.