My Vilnius is a series of interviews introducing you to people who call Vilnius home. It’s all about the ordinary lives of extraordinary people and vice versa. Fashion, technology and a new chapter in a faraway country. Meet Leila, a Tehran-born creative whose journey has taken her from bridal fashion to data science. She shares her experience of settling into Vilnius, her observations on local style, creative ambitions and the little things that have made this city home.
VP: Tell us a bit about yourself. What’s your background?
Leila: I moved to Vilnius with my husband in December 2023, after he relocated here for work. Starting a new life so far from Tehran was a big transition, but Vilnius has gradually become an important part of my story.
I was born and raised in Tehran, Iran, in a big family with five siblings. I studied Software Engineering, but my career took an unexpected turn towards fashion. After four years working in sales and advertising, I decided to follow my creative side. I became a fashion designer and pattern maker and worked in the industry for several years, including at a bridal fashion house.
Technology, however, never really left my mind. After moving to Lithuania, I found myself drawn back to it, particularly to data and AI. I eventually returned to my original field of interest and began studying Data Science. Today, I find myself somewhere between these two worlds. Fashion remains a big part of my identity, and I hope to bring creativity and technology together in my future work.
VP: You’ve lived in Vilnius for quite some time now. How has your view of the city evolved over the years?
Leila: When I first arrived in Vilnius, everything felt new and unfamiliar. I come from a very crowded and busy country, so the pace of life here felt completely different. The weather was also a big adjustment. Coming from Iran, I wasn’t used to such cold winters, and my first winter was quite challenging. I also found the people and culture different from what I was used to, and the Lithuanian language sounded strange and difficult at first.
Interestingly, my relationship with the language has changed, too. It’s still difficult, but over the past year, I’ve actually started to love the sound of Lithuanian. I’m curious to learn it and hope to start speaking it as soon as possible. I’ve also grown to appreciate the weather more, although I still really dislike windy days and those weeks when it seems to rain every single day!
Over time, though, my relationship with the city began to change. I started discovering my favourite little places, walking around the Old Town, making friends, finding quiet cafés, exploring nature and simply becoming more comfortable with the rhythm of life here.
I think the biggest change is that Vilnius stopped feeling like just the place where I live and started feeling like home. I’ve realised how much I appreciate the city’s calmness, cleanliness and peaceful atmosphere. After travelling to bigger, busier places, I often find myself missing Vilnius’s quietness and feel genuinely happy to come back.
VP: With your background in fashion, which Lithuanian designers or brands have caught your attention? How does the style of Vilnius compare with what you’re used to back home?
Leila: I naturally notice how people dress wherever I go. What strikes me about Vilnius is its understated approach to style. People seem to value simplicity, practicality and individuality, often expressing their personality through just a few carefully chosen pieces.
Tehran has a different fashion language. It’s often more expressive, feminine and glamorous. Having worked in bridal fashion, I was surrounded by couture, beautiful fabrics, intricate craftsmanship and elaborate silhouettes, so it’s a world I’m particularly drawn to.
I’m still discovering the Lithuanian fashion scene, but there are several designers whose work I admire, including Ramunė Piekautaitė, Kęstutis Rimdžius and, of course, Juozas Statkevičius. His work has always impressed me. I haven’t yet discovered a bridal couture scene here quite like the one I knew in Tehran, but I’m curious to explore it further and perhaps become more involved in it in the future.
What I appreciate most about Lithuanian fashion is its balance of contemporary design and restraint. As a designer, I’m drawn to beautiful construction, distinctive silhouettes and exceptional craftsmanship—qualities that, to me, will always matter more than trends.
VP: What does your free time in Vilnius look like?
Leila: I like a balance of movement and stillness. My days off might include a gym session, yoga, a long walk or time spent in nature. One of the things I love about Vilnius is how easily you can move between the energy of the Old Town and the quiet of its green spaces.
I’m also drawn to little cafés, books, films, music and anything creative. Sometimes, my favourite thing is simply wandering through the Old Town with nowhere particular to be.
And then there’s travelling. I love discovering new places, but I’ve noticed something since moving here: no matter how much I enjoy being away, I always look forward to coming back to Vilnius. Something about its serenity is hard to replace.
VP: Where do you go for your morning coffee, after-work drink, and Sunday brunch?
Leila: I’m quite a creature of habit when it comes to breakfast, so I usually eat at home. But I do have a little coffee ritual: an almond milk coffee from Caffeine, just around the corner from my place. Sometimes I take it along for a walk; other times, I settle in with my laptop and study for a while.
For brunch, I like Boka, especially for its croissants and tuna sandwich. Tech Café is another favourite—a good place to work, study or catch up with friends. And I have a soft spot for the sandwiches at Crustum.
I’m still discovering Vilnius’s brunch scene, though. I follow a fairly specific diet and don’t eat out that often, so I still have plenty of places left on my list.
VP: Where can we find you online?
Leila: You can find me on Instagram, and I’m also on LinkedIn, where I share more about my journey into data science and technology.
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