UNDRESS MUSES | SANDRA LEBRIKAITĖ

A dress is an important part of soloist and soprano Sandra Lebrikaitė’s stage image. Yet it wasn’t the stage, but the search for her wedding dress that helped her discover what she truly liked and create not only her stage image, but an entire collection of concert dresses.

“UNDRESS is how I want to look on stage. I feel like I’ve found myself in these dresses.”

Sandra, how did your story with UNDRESS begin?

It began long before I first walked through the doors of UNDRESS. I was preparing for my wedding and looking for a dress when one day I saw an UNDRESS ad featuring Justina Jarutė. I remember thinking, “Oh my God, these dresses are so beautiful! I wish I could wear something like that one day.” (Laughs.) I was still a student at the time, so it felt like a beautiful but distant dream. A few years later, I was singing at Žalgiris Arena. The wonderful stylist Emilija Gutauskaitė dressed me in a light blue UNDRESS gown with a plunging neckline. I couldn’t believe a dress could look so distinctive while still feeling so effortless and minimalist. Encouraged by Emilija, I went to meet Ana and Neringa and see some of the other dresses. Soon afterwards, I left for Africa for a year, and they packed three UNDRESS dresses into my suitcase. I still remember my first concert in Zambia - I was standing on stage thinking, “Even in Africa, I’m wearing UNDRESS!” That’s how our friendship gradually began. Today, UNDRESS means more to me than dresses. It’s the people who were there as I grew, both personally and in my journey on stage. This friendship means a great deal to me.

Are you naturally a dress person, or did your profession turn you into one?

I think it was my profession. In everyday life, I choose sporty, comfortable clothes. I exercise a lot, I’m always on the move, and during rehearsals for performances, I sometimes even have to roll around on the floor. But whenever I step onto the stage, I want that day to feel special. For me, a dress is an inseparable part of my stage image. Perhaps that’s why people often don’t recognize me on the street, even if they’ve heard me sing or seen me in performances or concerts. I look completely different on stage than I do in everyday life.

Which dress makes you feel most like yourself?

If I had to choose one UNDRESS design, it would be BERTA. It feels as though it was made for me.

Which dress brings back the most memories?

BERTA, without a doubt. I wore it for the first concert I organized myself, at St. Catherine’s Church. That concert was very special to me - I poured so much of my heart into it. I remember there was only one BERTA left in the store, and it was a size L. I wanted it so badly that I bought it and had it altered down to an XS. But this dress is precious to me for more than just the concert itself. It reminds me of the people who were there when everything was only beginning. Ana and Neringa were among those who believed in me, encouraged me to create my own concerts, and kept telling me, “You can do it. Go for it. Sing.” That’s why I wanted to wear that particular dress that evening. For me, it was a way of saying thank you for their support and for believing in me.

Your favorite childhood dress?

I’ve always loved beautiful clothes, but I grew up at a time when there wasn’t much choice. If a new style arrived at the market, a week later half the girls at school would be wearing the same dress. Perhaps that’s why I value individuality so much today.

Your most expensive dress?

If we’re talking about price, then of course it was my wedding dress. I got married in autumn, so I had it custom-made according to my own vision - with long sleeves and a long skirt made of natural silk. But if we’re talking about value, then without a doubt it’s my light blue UNDRESS SIRA dress, which I wore the first time I sang at Žalgiris Arena. Some time later, I stopped by the UNDRESS boutique and saw it hanging there. I immediately said, “That’s my first UNDRESS dress!” Ana smiled and said, “Take it. It’s yours.” I still keep it in my wardrobe. Strangely enough, I’ve never worn it again. It feels as though it’s still waiting for a special occasion.

What kind of dress could you never imagine yourself wearing?

One that has no character. I don’t care whether it’s completely minimalist, adorned with feathers, or has other distinctive details - it needs to have that certain something. That’s when a dress becomes so much more than just a beautiful piece of clothing.