1. When and why did you start Lanabu Vintage?
My biggest fashion influence is certainly my mom. As a Pattern and Garment Technologist, she would bring beautiful samples of European designers and small boutiques on a daily basis… Our family house was always full of garment patterns and I remember ‘Fashion TV’ was my top choice when watching telly after school.
Vintage clothing has been part of my wardrobe since I was a young teenager - I would love spending hours at Humana’s (chain of pre-owned clothing shops across Europe) to find something super unique. Labels back then did not mean that much to me, but I would absolutely love a garment that ‘would not fit in’ & would scream nostalgia…
When I was 14-teen years old growing up in Lithuania, there was a new website launched called Manodrabuziai - today it is known as Vinted app worldwide. I would spend hours on Tumblr observing how bloggers and people all over the world dress. This would be my inspiration going to local pre-owned clothing stores and looking for something special to upsell. I cannot actually believe that this was in my blood so early in the days!
Later, I moved to London to study the Business of Fashion at the University of Westminster. During my years of studies, I have done various jobs in the industry from working on a shop floor to curating and setting-up stores. Today, I am extremely grateful to that ‘younger myself’, who never said no to a job opportunity. Every single job taught me a great lesson that I can apply today running and growing a small business.
Lanabu's starting point was when ‘uncomfortable life circumstances’ met my biggest talent- treasure hunt. In late Covid, autumn 2021, I was made redundant & I was finishing my newly acquired tech degree. As life still went on, I needed to come up with a temporary way to pay my essential bills living in London- so I thought to look for great finds in charity shops and try to upsell them online… Little I did know, it was the start of my small business. Sometimes life takes the lead and brings you to the destination that truly makes sense for you, I suppose?
2. Where did your influence for the shop come from? Any major style influences?
Influence comes from everywhere and everything, I guess. Various decades, movies, iconic series as Sex & The City (let’s chat about girls’ love for a good shoe), observing people and the way they dress all around the world… To name some fashion icon’s style I love- Brigitte Bardot, Kate Moss and of course minimalist chic style with a twist - Olsen sisters. Sometimes, I love going to the National Portrait Gallery to spend a day observing the details of costumes & jewellery - fashion is known for being all about cycles that are coming back again and again. However, quality timeless styles will always be a core product at Lanabu.
4. Whats your favourite part of the job?
I absolutely love attending vintage community events - usually it is one day pop-up’s. After attending my first ever popup - Second Life Markets in May 2024 - I have realised how much fun it is to sell in markets and fairs. It includes meeting clients and seeing their joyful faces when finding something unique, very often making long term friendships with clients… And of course there is a whole part of the vintage traders community - it feels like a true family.
5. What's your favourite item you own?
Too many beautiful and historical items to choose from! I am growing my permanent Archive that includes 90’s Mugler, 90’s Dries Van Noten, Ann Demeulemeester… However if I need to name one designer I have collected the most so far is certainly Yves Saint Laurent- starting from super rare 1970’s pieces… Probably my favourite YSL archive piece is an iconic 1980’s belted leather jacket with power shoulders - it is truly a ‘show-stopper’, compliments on your outfit ensured throughout the day.
6. Whats your dream item, or an item your regret letting go of?
So so many… But probably one of the most ‘hurtful’ one is an iconic Yves Saint Laurent 1976 Russian Ballet Collection velvet runway jacket. A little piece of advice about something very special that you have found (and most likely it holds a high value): if in doubt- hold on to it, make it your permanent archive piece!
7. What motivates you. What gets you up in the morning (can be personal or professional)
Running your own small venture is 24/7 motivation! The to-do list is never fully finished and there are always ideas for the future small and big projects. I absolutely could not live a different slower lifestyle.
8. One bit of advice for anyone starting a 2nd hand business.
Stay true to your own taste - your curation is defined by your unique taste.
Loud labels are not everything -quality fabrics and good tailoring speak for itself.
Be a nice human- that will not get unnoticed.
