Justicious today is...

A force in constant flux – innovative and eclectic as a music lover, creator and DJ; equally eclectic and passionate as a sneaker enthusiast. Driven by emotion and spontaneity in both realms.

How did music come into your life? What inspired you to choose the path of DJ and sound producer?

It probably all started with music school, which I started attending when I was three. I dropped out in the sixth grade, thinking that I wouldn't achieve much in music, and transferred to art school. After all, both of my parents were involved in art, having graduated from the Vilnius Academy of Arts, so I thought that this was my path.

Ironically, my interest in music production came just a year after I dropped out of music school – from a completely different perspective. I’ve been a big fan of hip-hop since childhood. Thanks to my sister, I often attended hip-hop dance events and there I got acquainted with the work of the legendary American producer DJ Premier. I was fascinated by both the result and the sampling process itself – so much so that it became my passion from the age of twelve.

I uploaded my work to the internet every day. I loved all kinds of music from the beginning, so I created very different sounds - one day a traditional hip-hop "beat", the next - electro, UK garage, drum & bass or something else.

This openness has not only taught me a lot, but also helped me meet many different and inspiring people in the music world - this is probably one of the best parts of this journey. Therefore, even in the more difficult times, I never thought of saying "that's it, I won't compose or play anymore."

How did your passion for collecting sneakers begin? Do you have a memorable first pair?

Image and style have been important to me since I was a little girl. Even in elementary school I wore wide-leg pants, called "lenars", oversized T-shirts and "full caps". MTV was almost always on at home - I wanted to look like my favorite artists.

In those days, it mattered what shoes you wore – skate shoes were in fashion, and the first skateboard shops were located on Konstitucijos Avenue. I convinced my parents to buy my first Vision skate shoes from one of those shops. Later, it was simply necessary to have DC shoes. And in 2008, when I was in fourth grade, my real addiction began – during a trip to France, I bought my first Nike Dunk High with my own money – blue and yellow.

They cost around 90 euros, which seemed like a huge amount for a pair of shoes at the time. But this was probably the first time I felt that quick capitalist dopamine rush and realized that shoes meant more to me than just clothing – they were a combination of the most interesting technologies, as well as an object of sentiment.

What do you think makes a pair of sneakers special or valuable?

As I mentioned, the memories that “stick” to shoes the most are where you bought them, where you wore them, what you experienced with them. It’s often difficult to part with a pair of shoes not because of their value on the secondary market, but because of their personal value. The aforementioned Nike Dunk were very important to me because I bought them myself on my first trip abroad without my parents. They were my first shoes from abroad and the first ones with which I felt like a “main character” as a child. If I had known then that I would one day have a shoe collection, I might not have gotten rid of them even when I grew up.

How do your musical interests influence your approach to fashion and sneakers?

In modern culture, especially pop culture, music and fashion go hand in hand – artists set trends, introduce the world to interesting designers, and increasingly release their own shoe collaborations. Just as rap shaped my style as a child, I now draw inspiration from the most stylish artists of today. Currently, the closest to me in terms of style are Aminé, Lil Yachty, Kendrick Lamar, and ASAP Rocky. The latter in particular introduced me to names like Raf Simons, Martin Margiela, and Rick Owens – through his raps about fashion in my teens.

What role do sneakers play in your creative process? Do you have a pair that you prefer to wear during performances or when working in the studio?

Wherever music is playing – consciously or unconsciously – I find myself tapping my feet to the beat. Probably a professional flaw. As a DJ, I often have to "spot" for more than one or two hours, so during performances I especially value comfort – I choose shoes that do not tire my feet. It is important for me that shoes are stylish, comfortable and practical – otherwise they simply do not stay in my collection for long.

In your opinion, can sneakers reflect your personality? How do you choose shoes based on your mood and style?

Although it may sound strange, I used to say that I look at a person's shoes first, and only then at their eyes. Shoes say a lot about a person - not only about their style, but also about their hobbies, leisure time, social circle. Although I wouldn't guess a person's character just by whether I like their shoes, but the choice often betrays their position - it's like the cover of a book, which allows you to feel whether you will find common ground with that person.

How do you assess the sneakerhead culture in Lithuania? Is there an active community of collectors?

I may not be familiar with the entire sneakerhead community and I wouldn't be able to confidently assess its size, but I know quite a few people with very interesting collections. In addition, there are quite a few events and initiatives for sneakerheads in Lithuania, often related to marketing. I've participated in discussions about sneakers, and the Sneaker Spot sneaker restoration workshop even organized sneakerhead parties.

What trends do you notice among Lithuanians in the sneakerhead world?

Although interesting and eccentric sneakers can be seen more and more often on the streets of Lithuania and even in local shoe stores, Lithuanians still tend to choose safer options and are not very bold in experimenting. Most trends reach Lithuania later than in the West, so some fashionable models take a lot longer to establish themselves here, but also last longer. However, compared to the times when I first started getting interested in sneakers, now the choice of footwear in Lithuania is huge, and you can see shoes that catch your eye on the streets more and more often.