We caught up with Laurynas Vaitkus, founder of Green Globe Vintage, to talk about his journey in the world of street fashion and luxury vintage.

How did your journey into street fashion begin, and what inspired you to open Green Globe Vintage?

I started selling clothes around ten years ago, but the story really begins much earlier — probably in childhood. My mother used to take me to second-hand stores, and she knew all the right places to look. She taught me how to recognise quality fabrics and how to put outfits together. Only now do I realise how influential that was — she was one of the first people to spark my interest in fashion.

Later on, when I began exploring clothing on my own, another defining moment came in 2013 while I was studying at an international school in Bali. An Australian friend showed me a vintage store in Melbourne, and that completely shifted my perspective. It was the first time I understood that some places weren’t just selling second-hand clothes — vintage itself was the foundation of style there. Old NBA starter jackets, vintage T-shirts, unexpected Nike pieces I had never seen before — it immediately drew me in.

How do those early experiences still influence your style today?

I have a fairly large collection of graphic T-shirts that I’m very attached to, even though I don’t wear most of them anymore. Many are tied to films and cartoons from my childhood. I’m especially drawn to the advertising aesthetics of the ’80s and ’90s. I also have a soft spot for vintage basketball pieces. I played basketball for eight years growing up, my room was covered in NBA posters — it was a huge part of my life. I still follow the game closely today, even if I don’t always find the time to play myself.

Tell us about your store concept and why you chose it.

The concept has always been rooted in what I genuinely like. That’s how it was from the very beginning, back when I first started visiting second-hand stores. There was no TikTok, and I wasn’t even on Instagram yet — I simply went into shops and picked what caught my eye. At the time, I wasn’t focused on brands at all, mostly because I didn’t know much about them. Today, the approach is similar, just with more context. I now have a deeper understanding of brands, their histories, and the values behind them, but the initial instinct — choosing what feels right — remains the same.

How has the concept evolved over time? Has your taste, or the market, influenced those changes?

One of the biggest shifts is that nearly half of the store is now dedicated to sneakers. That’s probably the most noticeable change since we opened. Last year, I met Tad from HypedFlea, and we immediately connected. We now work together, and I can confidently say that Green Globe Vintage has also become a sneaker destination. I’ve loved sneakers since childhood, but for a long time it was hard to find anything truly interesting in Lithuania. That’s why it feels especially rewarding to now offer pairs you simply can’t find elsewhere locally.

What was the most unexpected item or brand to become a customer favourite?

It’s hard to single out one specific brand — it happens almost every week. Often, the pieces I’m most excited about receive very little attention, while items I post almost out of obligation end up selling immediately and getting the strongest reactions. That unpredictability is part of what keeps things interesting.

How would you describe the current state of street fashion in Vilnius?

Things are definitely better now than when I first started, but there’s still a noticeable gap compared to other cities. We’re behind in terms of what’s available locally. I’d love to see more streetwear and sneaker-focused stores, as well as a more diverse second-hand scene — especially smaller shops with a stronger focus on genuine vintage.

How do you keep up with street fashion trends in Lithuania and internationally?

I wish I had a more elaborate answer, but it’s mostly Instagram. It’s still a very effective tool if you curate your feed properly. I also spend time on YouTube — there are many creators producing thoughtful content around vintage, streetwear, and sneakers, and I’ve learned a lot from them over the years.

Are there any emerging Lithuanian designers or brands you see having a real impact on the local scene?

It might not fall strictly under street fashion, but Urtekat has been doing consistently strong work for some time now. I’m also very curious to see how Viltė Savickaitė’s work develops in the future. From a more streetwear-oriented perspective, I’m glad to see my friend IHGNAHZ returning to his practice. I also find parts of Puga73’s work interesting.

What street fashion styles are currently most visible in Lithuania?

Skate culture has a strong influence right now. Skate-inspired looks are trending across both streetwear and vintage. Brands from the ’90s and early 2000s skate scene — such as Blind, Hook-Ups, and World Industries — have seen their prices rise significantly over the past few years. At the same time, there’s a broader shift away from ’90s references toward Y2K aesthetics, which is becoming increasingly visible in everyday style.

Are there any markets or countries where you’ve found particularly unique or unexpected vintage pieces?

Lately, I’ve been sourcing a lot from Southeast Asia. The region is full of vintage and streetwear pieces you simply don’t come across elsewhere — especially items originally made for the Asian market, with very specific designs. That said, it’s not an easy space to navigate. Many large stores from the US, Europe, and Australia also source from these regions and often look for exclusive arrangements, which makes finding reliable suppliers more challenging.

Which brands or items are currently most in demand among your customers?

The most searched-for brands are pretty much the same ones trending globally right now: Stüssy, Supreme, Stone Island, and C.P. Company. People are also frequently looking for Evisu jeans. More recently, there’s been a noticeable resurgence of Y2K-era brands — Ed Hardy, Von Dutch, and similar labels have become increasingly popular.

What have been the main challenges in developing the store?

Opening a physical location was by far the biggest challenge. When I first rented the space, it looked nothing like what I had imagined — it had previously been a rather sketchy bar in the ’90s, and very little had changed since then. It took around six to seven months just to get it into a presentable state.

I’m incredibly grateful to my friends and my brother, who helped throughout the process — we did everything ourselves. Supply has been another major challenge. Five years ago, it was still possible to find interesting pieces locally, in Lithuanian second-hand shops or markets. Today, that’s almost impossible, which forced us to look abroad — a process that came with its own difficulties

Where do you see Green Globe Vintage in five years? Are there plans for expansion or new initiatives?

There are definitely plans. I’d like to move into a larger space in Vilnius at some point. And if things continue to develop in the right direction, I hope to open a store in Spain within the next few years as well.