HOW A YOUNG WOMAN FROM BIJELJINA BUILT AN ECO-FASHION BRAND FROM BANANA, ORANGE AND LOTUS FIBERS

What started as a struggle with a chronic skin condition and a search for comfortable clothing made from natural fabrics has grown into an innovative eco-fashion business for young entrepreneur Tamara Đurić from Bijeljina.

PHOTO: Glas Srpske

Today, through her sustainable fashion brand Magbago, she designs clothing made from unusual eco-friendly materials such as banana fibers, orange cellulose, lotus, rose petals, milk casein and hemp, proving that fashion can be both elegant and environmentally responsible.

The idea for the business emerged from personal necessity. Tamara recalls that during treatment for dermatitis, doctors advised her to wear clothing made exclusively from natural materials. However, finding high-quality garments that met her needs proved difficult.

"While I was hospitalized in Banja Luka, my doctor advised me to pay more attention to the fabrics I wore and to choose natural materials. After years of struggling with dermatitis, I realized there was no place where I could buy the kind of clothing I needed. So I decided to create it myself," Tamara said.

Her passion for fashion, she explains, dates back to childhood.

"As a little girl, I loved climbing into the attic and redesigning old clothes that belonged to my mother and grandmother. Looking back, perhaps that was the first sign of what I would one day do professionally," she added.

The opportunity to launch her business came through a self-employment incentive program, although she admits that the entrepreneurial journey turned out to be far more demanding than she had imagined.

"When you are building an idea, you focus on solving immediate problems and rarely think about how difficult the path really is. Only when you look back do you realize how many challenges you had to overcome," she explained.

One of the biggest obstacles remains the procurement of materials. Since many sustainable fabrics are unavailable locally, Magbago depends heavily on imports.

"We are a small country and we are forced to import almost everything. Finding reliable suppliers, designing labels and building business relationships from a distance were major challenges. Most negotiations take place by email and are based on trust because business trips and face-to-face meetings are often too expensive," Tamara said.

Despite these difficulties, Magbago has become recognizable for its innovative materials sourced from India, Switzerland and Italy.

The brand uses Orange Fiber, a fabric produced from orange cellulose obtained by recycling waste from the food industry. It also incorporates banana fibers extracted from the inner part of banana stems, milk casein fabric, lotus fibers, fabrics made from rose petals, sustainably produced silk and commercial eco-materials such as hemp.

"Our goal is not only to create beautiful clothes but also to promote a different philosophy of fashion—one that respects nature and values sustainability," she emphasized.

Operating in a small market presents additional challenges, especially when introducing products that are unfamiliar to consumers.

"If you want significant growth and profitability, you have to be export-oriented, just like many entrepreneurs in Bosnia and Herzegovina. When you offer something completely new, you first need to educate customers about the product itself. Unfortunately, people often trust foreign brands more than domestic products, regardless of quality," she said.

Tamara believes that one of the biggest misconceptions about entrepreneurship is the idea that success comes quickly and easily.

"People often think entrepreneurs start earning large sums immediately after launching a business. The reality is completely different. You constantly learn, invest and face uncertainty. Sometimes, despite all the effort and responsibility, you earn less than someone with a regular nine-to-five job," she explained.

In addition to running her company, Tamara also works as a mentor, sharing her experience with young people interested in entrepreneurship.

"It is not easy to tell someone how difficult the road ahead can be, but that should never be a reason to give up. Persistence, learning and passion are essential if you want to build something meaningful," she concluded.

From a personal health struggle to an internationally oriented eco-fashion brand, Tamara Đurić's story is a testament to how challenges can inspire innovation and how sustainable ideas can find their place even in the most demanding markets.