Photography Migle Golubickaite
Tell us about your story and artistic background
My first step into the fashion world was when I was 16 and won a fashion journalism competition for a local fashion magazine. After that I continued to work as a stylist with that same magazine until, encouraged by my mum, who is also an artist, I decided to study fashion design after high school.
Of course, I still think it was not the best choice for me, but oh well, it was a really good experience that gave me the possibility to learn how to manage and balance my time and effort between school and two jobs as the same time I was working as a personal shopper and also as a fashion stylist.
After school I kept both of my jobs, I took part in some TV projects and I started to work as a stylist at a design studio. However, throughout the years I realized that my country is too small for me and my ambitions so I decided to move to Paris where everything turned around for me.
How did you decide to become a designer?
It happened naturally for me. All my life I was drawn more towards the styling side of fashion, but there was a moment when I realized that I wanted to create something myself. Something beautiful from an aesthetic standpoint that could also communicate my passion for sustainability.. That‘s why St. Vincent was born.
Was there an event or specific job or work that made your career turn around?
I can‘t say that my career changed after one job, one event or one meeting.
I think it was the result of all the jobs, events and meetings I attended throughout the years. Of course, I wouldn’t be where I am now without the unconditional support of my family, that’s for sure.
Who was a mentor or strong influence for you?
I’d say my mum. She always backs me up and offers ideas and unconditional support. She is my biggest inspiration and daily encouragement to keep doing what I love.
What are your main artistic and creative inspirations?
A lot of things! At first I was massively inspired by Paris itself. Before even moving there it played such an influential role in my imagination until I finally moved there which obviously was like getting floored with an ocean of ideas and excitement.
If I were to sum it up in one sentence, I would say that I am mostly inspired by people, architecture, colors, and different eras like the 60’s – 70‘s. Sometimes it can be a song you overhear while you’re walking down the street that inspires an entire collection.. Life is pretty incredible that way, no?
Fashion is something that evolves and moves forward everyday and never stops and I strongly believe that it is up to us to make responsible choices and consciously choose the path we want to take in today’s world. To me sustainability is not only the most important value I try to base my work and day to day life around but also a big source of inspiration.
Who are some creatives you would love to collaborate with
First of all my best friend Migle Golubickaite with whom I have been working for 5 or 6 years already.
Hmm, also, I would love to just be on the set with Erwin Olaf. His work for me is something else. It’s more than photography.
What inspires your work? Is there a message behind your creations?
It’s really sad for me to see all the waste and damage that the modern fashion industry is causing so with St.Vincent I try to produce in the most sustainable way.
For the 1st collection we used scrap materials from a furniture factory, which would have been discarded otherwise. These are high quality materials and can be used over many collections, not just for one season.
Because of that, all our pieces are totally unique. Smaller amounts of the materials equal more unique garments. As I said before, both my personal and artistic life are inspired and motivated by the same values.
What would you change in the fashion/artistic scene today?
Fast fashion needs to go. I just think that the fashion industry nowadays is wasting and polluting way too much. The worst part is that WE are contributing to it. We need to start looking at fashion as art again.
