In the first episode of our Mediterranean Diaries series, we explore life in the Mediterranean through the eye of those who call it home. Women and their daily rituals are the heart of Vellutini. In this intimate portrait series, we capture the people, places and traditions that shape life in our little corner of the world...
Monteverde, Rome. Some women are born into the Mediterranean, others find their way here and never quite leave. Meda and Luisa have shared a flat near the Janiculum hill for a year and opened their doors to us on a Thursday morning. Coming from Lithuania and Germany, this blonde duo in a city ruled by dark hair cannot help but draw the eye. Both share a love of vintage fashion, travel and all things Mediterranean, making it no surprise they decided to settle in the Ancient world's capital. Wearing Vellutini Lingerie, they answered our questions about the habits and rituals that make living as a Mediterranean woman so different.
Meda and Luisa on the roof of their Roman residence
Wearing Vellutini Lingerie's Amalia Silk collection
Meda moved to Rome in 2022 to study fashion after a myriad adventures in Vilnius. A Bachelor's in History and Philosophy achieved, some years working for the European vintage giants Vinted and Humana, and an intense period working in political communication and volunteering for a liberal youth organisation had her wondering what would be waiting for her outside of her home country. A few months spent travelling Italy and falling in love with the Mediterranean lifestyle later, she packed her bags for good and set out for the Eternal city.
Luisa knew she wanted to move to Italy from a very early age —she recalls telling her mum she would one day live there or in New York when she was only six years old. She first discovered life in Rome through an Erasmus semester during which she felt right at home and which would influence the rest of her twenties. Back in Germany, she slowly got more and more into vintage sourcing, developing her personal style while studying architecture. She moved back to Rome two years ago and opened her online vintage shop, Chevallier Curated, sourcing away as she roams Italy.
Meda and Luisa's fridge, a recollection of their shared travels
Wearing Vellutini Lingerie's Ghjulia collection
Neither of you was born in the Mediterranean. When did this place stop feeling like somewhere you lived and start feeling like part of who you are?
LUISA: The moment I realised that this was my home and not just a place I had recently moved to was when I stopped feeling the need to go out and travel every weekend. I was genuinely happy where I was, and I didn’t feel the need to leave my apartment all the time or constantly seek distractions. This happened almost immediately after I moved to Rome. It felt like home from the very beginning, and I believe that’s why, even two years later, it still gives me such a strong sense of home and belonging rather than feeling like just another phase of my life.
MEDA: For me, it was actually immediate. The second I moved, I knew this was the new life I wanted to start. I never looked back. That was almost four years ago, but I’ve continued building my personality and discovering who I am throughout these years. I think my second year in Rome was especially life-changing.
Luisa in her bibelot-filled Roman bedroom
Wearing Vellutini Lingerie's Milena set
We often talk about Mediterranean beauty, but what does Mediterranean femininity mean to you?
MEDA: To me, Mediterranean femininity means freshness, taking care of your hormones, slowing down, and prioritising yourself, while at the same time having the strength and confidence to stand up for yourself, as Italian women do. What I also love is that Mediterranean femininity is inspired by the flora, art, and cultural heritage that surround you every day. And a very important part of it is natural fabrics and beauty rituals—especially swimming in the salty sea and tanning under the sun.
LUISA: For me, Mediterranean femininity means being a woman in all her imperfections, without overthinking every calorie, every wrinkle, or every detail of a not-perfect outfit. It’s more about truly respecting yourself as a woman and as a person, without getting caught up in small details that can take away the joy of simply being a woman, of aging and of all the beautiful and difficult experiences that come with it. To me, a true Mediterranean woman embodies a kind of ease with herself, someone who doesn’t overthink things as much and allows life to be lived more freely and naturally.
Meda in her Monteverde kitchen
Wearing Vellutini Lingerie's Milena set
Has living in Rome changed the way you experience your body and your style? How has your style changed since moving here?
LUISA: I think Rome has been the biggest change in my style and, in general, in the way I look. The sun exposure here, the good food, less stress, and a more relaxed pace of life have all contributed to me feeling much more balanced. I feel like my nervous system has become more regulated, and I naturally eat very healthy without even trying. After a beautiful day in the city, I crave fresh, nourishing food, it almost feels unnatural to choose something unhealthy. My style has also changed a lot, partly because of the easy access to affordable, high-quality vintage pieces. As a result, I now gravitate toward high-quality materials like leather, silk and cotton, which are both accessible and cheap here. Overall, my wardrobe has become more focused on texture, quality and extravagant pieces.
MEDA: Oh, 100%. When I was living in Lithuania, I often felt bloated, wasn’t fully embracing my silhouette, and dressed in a more modest way. After living here for some time, I feel much fresher and more able to express myself properly. I experience so much more pleasure in everyday life, and I also feel more appreciated here, which gives me a lot of confidence... My style has improved so much because of all the creative stimulation I experience in Italy. I feel freer in my body, which makes it easier to experiment. And of course, the incredible second-hand shopping scene gives me endless opportunities to play with my style.
Meda and Luisa wear Vellutini Lingerie's Amalia Silk collection
Can you describe your perfect morning in Rome and the daily rituals that have shaped your experience of the city?
MEDA: Oh, I have a few favourite rituals. One of them is waking up early before the city wakes up, having coffee with my lover, and talking about our goals. Then I go to the gym and focus on moving my body. Afterwards, I do some self-care rituals, have a high-protein breakfast with seasonal fruits, and spend some time in the sun before starting work. It’s all about prioritizing myself before getting caught up in the rush of the day. Another ritual that shapes my experience of the city is enjoying a one euro coffee in a simplest Roman bar. I also love wandering through the streets of Rome at sunrise or sunset, capturing the city's beauty. And, honestly, another my ritual is thrifting around five times a week - it’s so affordable and so rewarding.
LUISA: My perfect morning in Rome starts early, waking up with the sunlight especially in summer, around 6 or 6:30. I put on my workout clothes and go for a long walk, usually toward Gianicolo Hill and then maybe through Villa Pamphilj Park. After that, I go home, have a healthy breakfast and slowly get ready for the day. I like to dress in something a bit extravagant, and then head out on my scooter either with friends or alone to study or work in a beautiful library or a nice coffee shop.
In general, my daily life in Rome is very social. I usually have plans and see my friends often. When I’m at home, I really enjoy the peace of my space, but in the evenings I almost always go out again for a walk, a drink, or an ice cream. I can’t even remember the last time I watched a series, because I simply don’t have the time for it.
I think this is what makes it feel like the perfect way to spend your twenties: being surrounded by friends, yourself and living in a city that feels so accessible and full of life.
Meda, Luisa and their cat Melu
Wearing Vellutini Lingerie's Ghjulia set
What scents, sounds or images take you back to your first summer in the city? How has your life changed since and what has remained the same?
LUISA: What reminds me of my first summer in Rome is that I actually moved here in August two years ago, so the city felt very empty and extremely hot. I still remember the constant sound of my fan running day and night.
I also associate that summer with making lots of fresh juices, like citrus ones like orange and lemon and the taste of mint. We went to the beach almost every day. I remember taking the packed train, getting ice cream there, and then lying on the beach eating pears or cherries. On the way back home, we would always stop for ice cream. I always chose the same two flavours: stracciatella and strawberry. Every other summer still feels like my First summer in Italy.
MEDA: Oh, it’s definitely the smell of jasmine on late spring nights. It was so strong in my first apartment, which overlooked a monastery garden, that you simply couldn’t escape it. It followed me through the streets everywhere I went. Now, every time I smell it again, I become incredibly nostalgic. I also love the smell of pizza dough baking in the oven, mixed with pomodoro and mozzarella. It’s so comforting and instantly makes me happy.Since moving here, my life has changed a lot. I can almost divide it into two chapters. The first two years were spent as a student in Porta Maggiore, living on a student budget but still experiencing some of the most beautiful moments of my life—meeting my first love and even visiting Corsica, my first Mediterranean island. The second chapter began when I moved to Monteverde, graduated from university, established myself as a stylist and fashion writer, and started travelling the world. They feel like two completely different worlds. But some things have remained the same: my love for Gelateria Fassi, my closest friends, my gym, and my lover.
Meda wears the Amalia silk set and shorts in Mother of Pearl
Do you think women in the Mediterranean relate to beauty differently than they do in your home countries?
MEDA: Oh yes, they definitely do. In my country, natural and minimal beauty that fits within traditional beauty standards is generally more appreciated, though not necessarily plastic surgery. Women in Lithuania are very emancipated and business-oriented. Here in Italy, however, women take more time to get ready. In my gym and social circle, many women spend at least an hour preparing themselves, yet somehow they still look effortless, just more charming. I also think that, deep down, many women in my country idealise Mediterranean beauty. Because I have a strong community in Lithuania, I often see how much they admire the Mediterranean lifestyle: the diet, beauty rituals, slow living, and especially fashion. For us, this slower pace of life feels like a true luxury.
LUISA: I think women in Germany relate to beauty very differently than women in Italy or the Mediterranean. In Germany, beauty feels quieter and more understated, and people don’t try to stand out as much. Here in Rome, it feels like women naturally stand out without even trying. There’s more freedom in how people dress and express themselves, and less fear of judgment. Everyone seems more comfortable being fully themselves through style, textures and different looks. Because of that, women here appear more confident and more willing to experiment. I see this across all ages, and overall I think they are very bold
A typical Roman breakfast
Luisa wears Vellutini Lingerie's Milena set
What small pleasure feels uniquely Mediterranean to you?
LUISA: I think one of the biggest Mediterranean pleasures for me is spending the whole day at the beach doing nothing, and still not feeling lazy. because the sun simply makes you so happy that it feels completely worth it. I don’t think I ever experienced that in Germany. Another thing that feels very Mediterranean to me is the food culture, especially buying fresh food from local stands. For me, another important part of the Mediterranean lifestyle is community and friendship. All of my friends here are very open and always willing to meet up, so even though I wasn’t born here, it was surprisingly easy to build connections and create a sense of home. People are spontaneous, say yes easily and are generally very social, which made it very easy for me to feel rooted.
MEDA: I’d say eating seasonal foods, because that’s one of the greatest gifts of the Mediterranean climate. Fresh, local produce is available year-round. And, of course, spending time in the sun. Those two things alone can make a huge difference to your wellbeing, and I see strong effect of that on me.
Meda and her colour-filled closet, featuring a hand-beaded patchwork jacket found in India during her travels
Wearing Vellutini Lingerie's Ghjulia set in Panna
Luisa on on the roof of her Monteverde residence
Wearing Vellutini Lingerie's Amalia Silk collection in Canistrelli
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