Lithuanian Designer Stages Collection as Immersive Theater

Karina Panina Blurs Fashion and Performance Art in Bold New Show

A Vilnius fashion show transcended the traditional runway this week, as designer Karina Panina presented her latest collection, “I No Longer Have Inspiration,” as a fully-staged theatrical performance. The innovative presentation aimed to explore themes of creative burnout and the search for meaning in a hyper-stimulated world.

A Theatrical Debut

Panina’s show wasn’t simply a display of clothing; it was a narrative brought to life by actors Alvydė Pikturnaitė, Povilas Jatkevičius, Matas Petraitis, Lukrecija Vasiliauskaitė, Emi Vilčinskaitė-Povilavičienė, Liudvikas Suborovas, Mikas Jucevičius, and Ugnė Dominaitė. The garments themselves represented the anonymous figures of a city, blending into a muted, grayish-blue mass.

Panina explained that the concept evolved from her previous collection, “Not in Her Shoes,” where she felt compelled to expand on the underlying story. “Already last year, when I was presenting the collection ‘Not in my shoes’, I realized that I wanted to tell the audience a lot more, so I knew that my next show would be supplemented with directing decisions,” she stated.

The Search for Inspiration

The designer’s personal experience with creative block served as the genesis for the collection’s title and theme. She found herself grappling with a lack of inspiration while preparing for a previous project, the Eurovision competition. According to a recent study by the American Psychological Association, 77% of U.S. adults report experiencing stress that affects their physical health. APA Stress in America 2023

“For a while, it seemed like my creation was lacking time and inspiration, but nevertheless, I created a collection that tells a meaningful story of today’s youth. It seems more and more in the vague flow of information, we do not find inspiration or meaning to ourselves and our loved ones.”

—Karina Panina, Designer

Wellness and the Creative Process

The show also incorporated elements of wellness, featuring an Oxy Clinic hyperbaric oxygen capsule as part of the performance. This integration stemmed from a collaboration with Asta Muralytė, a wellness advocate and former model, and her daughter, Antoinette, who also walked the runway. Muralytė emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental and physical health, particularly for young people struggling with burnout and stress.

Panina expressed her gratitude for the partnership with Muralytė and Antoinette, valuing models who radiate inner energy and authenticity. “I have a hard time imagining the performances of my collections without Antoinette,” she said. “I am fascinated by the models that are beautiful not only externally but also in the inside when a person radiates energy and is a real personality.”

The designer hopes her collection serves as a “refreshment” from the constant barrage of information and a reminder to prioritize inner peace and well-being. The event was also supported by the Elektrėnai municipality, Panina’s hometown.