Jan Si Studios: Love Conquers All, Sigita's Journey to Create a New Collection In Solitude Ahead of Her Debut Wedding Show With Most Curious
There’s a new collection hitting the scene, A.V.O. by fashion designer, Sigita of Jan Si Studios.
Amor vincit omnia, or love conquers all, is the core message of this Lithuanian-born, London-based designer focused on bridal wear for the modern bride, bridegroom, or anyone who wants to look flawless on their wedding day.
“For me it’s very important how people feel in my clothes. If I can help you to feel better, to feel yourself, I’m all yours.”
She’s the leading lady of her own brand; “I’m putting my name on it…because this is my baby,” she says in earnest, recalling the decision to name her Studio for herself. “[I’m inspired by] the work itself,” she shares. She is the fount from which all ideas flow and the very hands that cut each pattern. In creating each piece, she is creating herself, her identity and her art from fabric that she produces here in the UK.
Besides the new collection, launching very soon (wink, wink) Jan Si Studios is a fully bespoke design service for those who share Sigita’s desire to create their bridal identity from fabric. “I understand that not every bride wants a certain design…every bride wants to put [their] own touch. I work fully bespoke—we work on the design together; we create from scratch.” She’s looking forward to more tailored styles becoming the du jour, as well as brides who are willing to trust her enough to set her free on their looks.
“‘If you could do anything for me, what would you do?’” Sigita pops the question, hoping a bride will someday say “I do” to the opportunity.
“This is every designer’s dream.”
And the dream is renewable, sustainable and rentable! The designer views rentable wedding looks as a trend, but not a passing fad. She’s doing everything in her power to protect the planet from her corner of it, making her sustainable garments accessible to those who want to keep their wedding eco-friendly through the renting of their wedding looks. Some Jan Si pieces are available for rent—speak to Sigita at the show to learn more!
She tells me about hand-beading a dress in the summer—the beads reflected every ray of light they could absorb. The effect—not unlike a disco-ball—was so beautiful, yet so glaring, that Sigita had to wear sunglasses just to complete the work! I’m not surprised that sunglasses became necessary given the space she works in. Our Zoom call begins early in the morning and the light emerges over her face like a spotlight, streaming in from the oversized window I cannot see; even more wall-to-wall windows just behind Sigita fill my screen with warm sunshine. This was the place she spent her lockdown and she views it like a gift— unexpected, unasked for and unreturnable. For these reasons, she’s tried to find a place for it in her life. “I think [the pandemic] has effected everyone, not just bridal, but for me it’s looking at the positive side—I had all this time for myself. The work for me was a get-away.” While homeschooling her eight-year-old child, she would attend to her studio when her new job of teaching could be put on pause. She spent time with herself, her fabrics, her mirror and the windows overlooking a bit of greenery. “It was therapy—like a psychologist talking to me about my problems,” she says, explaining how she processed her lockdown experience in the moment, in the studio, solo.
“I was concentrating just on myself, on my business, on the creativity.”
The only thing that can rival the light in her studio is the light from her smile when I ask what she’s most looking forward to about the Most Curious Wedding Fair, kicking off TOMORROW, March 4th and lasting all weekend long. “I haven’t done a wedding fair—not a proper one, having a stand and talking to people. So for me it’s very exciting, a bit scary, but I’m looking forward to it.” No stranger to a catwalk and right at home with the Most Curious Crew, please join us in welcoming Sigita of Jan Si Studios to Most Curious this weekend. (Tickets are still available at the link!) You may even spot a new piece by Jan Si Studios that would be perfect for your big day, or begin your bespoke process!
I’ll let Sigita have the last word, it’s an important one: “At the end of the day we’re all celebrating love,” says the designer of new bridal wear collection, A.V.O.