Vilnius native Monika Más is a founder of successful fashion brand Más 924, primarly working with custom orders. Silver Mikiver travelled to Lithuania to capture Monika’s personal style at her atelier and ask her a couple of questions.
What was your childhood like?
I was born in Vilnius, and my childhood was truly wonderful. I spent much of my time growing up in the city, especially in museums, as my grandmother worked in one. Since my parents were often busy with work, after school, I would go to the museum to be with her, spending entire afternoons there until her shift ended. So, you could say that I was surrounded by art from a young age. I have vivid memories of sitting in those vast halls, filled with paintings, doing my homework after school. It was such a unique environment, and it profoundly influenced me. Apart from the museums, I also spent a lot of time in nature. My parents loved to travel, so we often went on road trips and spent a great deal of time outdoors. Nature and art have always been a part of my life. I would describe my childhood as being full of colour, art, and nature. I was lucky to have a wonderful, loving family who gave me such a beautiful and enriching upbringing.
When and why did you become interested in fashion?
I became interested in fashion at a young age, and much of that influence came from my family. My grandmother, in particular, was someone who always sewed her own clothes and had a distinct sense of style. Growing up in a post-Soviet country, it was difficult to find unique items due to limited access to fashion, so my mother and grandmother often made their own garments. From an early age, I was surrounded by this creativity—seeing them design and sew their own clothes gave me a deep appreciation for the individuality and expression behind fashion. At the age of 16, I began working as a model. Back then, it was one of the few ways to gain access to the global fashion world from Lithuania. I spent my summers traveling to Milan, working with renowned brands, and getting a behind-the-scenes look at the industry. This exposure further deepened my love for fashion, as I was able to see the craftsmanship and artistry up close. When I turned 18, I moved to Milan to study fashion business, but after some time, I returned to Lithuania and pursued a degree in international business and communication. Despite working in a different field for a while, fashion always remained close to my heart. Ultimately, I decided to commit to it fully. I moved to London to study design, and that experience solidified my passion. About 10 years ago, I launched my own fashion brand, bringing together all the influences from my early life and experiences.
What fields or aspects have influenced and inspired your design philosophy?
I primarily work with custom orders, collaborating directly with clients, and I find this to be the most interesting and motivating aspect of my work. Every day, my work is filled with new people, their stories, daily experiences, and the transformation of all that information into something tangible. It’s this connection to diverse lives and experiences that I merge with the aspects of design. For me, design is not just about objects or clothes—it’s about life itself. I would say that design is intertwined with how we live, how we interact with people, and how we value the world around us. There is, in a way, a “life design”—how we feel, how we communicate, how we perceive the world and others. In my work, the most important thing is that my clients feel heard and understood and that the design reflects not just the items we create but the philosophy behind them. It’s about how we interact with our clients, the feelings they experience working with us, and the connection we build together. Our design philosophy is to create a community where we can share wonderful design ideas and collaborate on shaping a beautiful life concept together. It’s about creating something meaningful that resonates beyond just the physical object—it’s about the entire experience and the impact it has on the people involved.
How do you balance practical functionality with aesthetic beauty?
In our brand, we approach this balance from two perspectives. We work with both custom-made, bespoke pieces, such as evening wear, bridal wear, and a collection that is more timeless and designed for everyday wear. We are always balancing these two concepts. On one hand, we strive to create everyday garments that have a timeless quality, allowing people to wear our pieces daily, feeling both comfortable and beautiful. On the other hand, we have a completely different approach where we allow people to play with their identity through fashion. We can create something that allows them to embody a new version of themselves, express a part of their personality, and experience a different aspect of their life. This might be for a specific occasion, like a celebration or a themed party, singers' costumes, celebrities' special events, or simply a way for them to connect with how they want to feel. I think the key to balancing practical functionality with aesthetic beauty lies in having these two lines. They give us the freedom to explore and play with the contrast between everyday practicality and the beauty of artistic expression.
How do you define success?
For me, success is a very multifaceted concept. At this stage of my life, I would define success as the ability to enjoy each day, to watch my daughter grow and thrive, and to continue experiencing new adventures together. It’s about feeling energised, motivated, and passionate about life, always eager to explore new opportunities and create something meaningful. Success, to me, is also about embracing moments of rest, creativity, and joy—allowing myself to enjoy life with the innocence and wonder of a child. It means spending time with loved ones, witnessing the happiness and peace in the world around me, and contributing to a beautiful, harmonious society. Ultimately, I believe the greatest success in life is being able to savour every single day and appreciate all these small yet significant moments that make life truly fulfilling.
Photographs by Silver Mikiver