A long-lived idea in my head \u2014 \u201chow I wish one day I could realize the vision of inviting many different women to a photoshoot\u201d \u2014 has finally COME TRUE.
\nI had been postponing this idea for a long time, knowing that in our two-day cold-season photoshoots, time is already \u201ctight\u201d\u2014and many women mean extra time we simply don\u2019t have.<\/p>\n
But this time, I decided to go for it.<\/p>\n
The women of my life gathered at the manor\u2014some I\u2019ve known since the very first moments of my life, others that fate allowed me to meet later.<\/p>\n
With Vaida (founder of Ridikiulis), we went to the same school, spent our teenage weekends together, and grew from complete \u201clittle girls\u201d into mature women who now have families of their own. Today, we are both \u201ccaptains\u201d of our own brands and friends who quietly admire each other\u2019s strength while calling each other by affectionate nicknames (Vaidute and Viktoryte).<\/p>\n
I called Sigita hesitantly when I heard a \u201crumor\u201d that a boutique of Lithuanian brands was about to open in my hometown (Panev\u0117\u017eys). I gathered the courage for a long time. And when I finally did, and she answered\u2014we spoke for a long time, in the same language of sincerity.<\/p>\n
For more than 10 years now, we\u2019ve been walking side by side, supporting and motivating each other: \u201cgo forward, don\u2019t give up.\u201d
\nSigita is not only the founder of the boutique, but also the \u201ccaptain\u201d of her own brand Big Hug. And a person whose sincerity and kindness know no limits.<\/p>\n
Justina is my sister. My strength and my support. The person I would run to first, no matter what happens.<\/p>\n
And to prove I\u2019m not exaggerating, I can tell the story of how, already grown up and building my own family nest, while quietly waiting for a longed-for expansion\u2014and finally seeing TWO LINES appear\u2026<\/p>\n
I called my sister first. From the bathroom.
\nThat says everything.<\/p>\n
While working a serious job unrelated to loose, muse-filled creativity, she is the best \u201csupporter and critic\u201d of my work.<\/p>\n
Fausta and Liucija\u2014my nieces.
\nThey\u2019ve grown from tiny \u201clittle chicks\u201d into young women taller than me.<\/p>\n
Now, in the bloom of their teenage years, they are my creative \u201cyouth elixir,\u201d occasionally adding a splash of fresh perspective into the V&V \u201cboiling collection pot,\u201d consulting me on what is currently trending.<\/p>\n
Erika is the V&V photographer, a person who would do ANYTHING to bring a beautiful idea to life.
\nThroughout our friendship, there have been many adventures proving that \u201cimpossible\u201d simply does not exist for her.<\/p>\n
We would both agree that just as important as the result is the process of getting there.<\/p>\n
Laura is the V&V creative director and my right hand (because with my left hand I can barely do anything).
\nShe has been with us since ancient times, when I first decided\u2014holding a few-month-old Dominykas in my arms\u2014to look for extra sewing hands.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt first, you rejected me,\u201d Laura smiles.
\n\u201cNonsense,\u201d I disagree.
\n\u201cYes, yes\u2014you said you had already agreed with another seamstress,\u201d she adds.
\n\u201cBut a few days later you called me and said you wanted to meet.\u201d<\/p>\n
I have often wondered: what if fate had arranged the cards differently? What if we had never met?<\/p>\n
It would be nonsense, I think to myself\u2014and I\u2019m grateful life dealt the cards the right way.<\/p>\n
Karolina is the person I\u2019ve known the shortest among this beautiful circle of women\u2014but does that make my admiration any smaller? No.<\/p>\n
I had been watching her for a while, and I already knew: when the time came for her to step back from her modeling career and sit on the bench of \u201csubstitutes,\u201d I would trust her with everything\u2014this patient, hardworking, never-complaining beauty.<\/p>\n
Natalija didn\u2019t make it into the frame because she was deeply busy creating a film\u2014but she is also a woman of my life, someone fate allowed me to meet as a creative personality who doesn\u2019t recognize \u201cI can\u2019t,\u201d \u201cI don\u2019t want to,\u201d or \u201cI\u2019m tired.\u201d<\/p>\n
And if speaking into other cameras is hard, then speaking into Natalija\u2019s \u201cblinking eye\u201d has always been almost stress-free. Because behind that eye stands she\u2014an amazing videographer with kind eyes and joyful energy\u2014who has filmed almost all V&V videos.<\/p>\n
At Raguv\u0117l\u0117 Manor, women of different professions, ages, body types, appearances, and styles gathered\u2014yet they were united by the same sense of beauty and aesthetics.<\/p>\n
Together, they blossomed.<\/p>\n
And I looked at them\u2014so different, yet so similar\u2014and admired, down to my fingertips, their connection, their joy in knowing one another, and their willingness to support each other and occasionally give a loving \u201ckick in the backside\u201d when needed.<\/p>\n
V.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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