I AM AOI, A MODEL/ACTRESS,
AND AN EXCLUSIVE GIRL WHO LOVES ACTING
I AM AOI, A MODEL/ACTRESS,
AND AN EXCLUSIVE GIRL WHO LOVES ACTING
I AM AOI, A MODEL/ACTRESS,
AND AN EXCLUSIVE GIRL WHO LOVES ACTING
I AM AOI, A MODEL/ACTRESS,
AND AN EXCLUSIVE GIRL WHO LOVES ACTING
"To me, metanoia is growth that feels real. It's not loud or forced. It's a quiet shift in mindset, priorities, and pace, when you start choosing what actually fits you. It's like redesigning your internal world as you grow — subtle, but it changes everything." - Anna Melikyan
Can you introduce yourself in a few words? (What do you do, what are you passionate about?)
Hi, I'm Anna, an architect based in Yerevan and the founder of Sqotch Studio. I work across architecture and interior design, creating spaces that feel calm, functional, and intentional. I'm most passionate about the process behind them: turning ideas into reality and creating environments that are both functional and beautiful.
I'm drawn to structure, not only in buildings, but in everyday life too.
What moments in your daily life make you feel the most present?
Early mornings. Coffee, a few quiet pages of a book, and a slow start before the day gets loud.
And also the opposite: being on a construction site, fully focused, solving things in real time — that kind of “here and now” feeling.
How do you balance practicality and creativity in your everyday routine?
For me, creativity needs structure. I treat my routine like a blueprint. It has a solid structure that allows for creative open-plan moments.
I plan my day around deadlines and site visits, and inside that framework, I leave space for inspiration. Practicality keeps the work real, and creativity keeps it alive.
How do you see fashion as a form of self-expression, beyond just clothing and accessories?
For me, fashion is personal architecture. It's the way you choose to inhabit the world around you through your mood, your energy, and your taste.
Some days it feels calm and minimal, other days more bold, but it's always about intention and the small details that make something feel like you.
Do you often experiment and change your style and what is the reason for that?
Yes, I do. My style shifts naturally with my lifestyle and the season I'm in. Some weeks I need something sharp and structured, other days I want comfort and simplicity.
I like when my style moves with me, not against me — small changes that still feel true to who I am.
Do you remember your very first bag and is there a story related to it that you would like to share with us?
I don't remember my very first bag, but I clearly remember my first backpack. My dad bought it for me in third grade.
It was baby-blue denim with pink details and a big heart on it, and it was so big it was almost my size.
I felt so proud wearing it, and I loved it because it fit everything and felt super stylish at the time.
How do the things you carry in your bag reflect your personality and lifestyle?
It really depends on the day.
Sometimes it's a small bag with just the essentials, and other days I need space for everything because my work and my personal life overlap a lot.
As an architect, I often carry practical things like notebooks, measuring tapes, lasers, and samples, and my iPad is usually with me too.
And then there's the personal side, my everyday essentials like fragrance, lipbalm, a book, and the little things I always need throughout the day. It's always a mix, and it reflects my lifestyle perfectly.
If you had to create a “life essentials” list, what would be on it—beyond material things?
A calm morning, movement, and time to reset. Curiosity, good conversations, and people who feel like home.
The ability to slow down and enjoy the small moments in between. And honestly, a perfect flash brew is always part of it.
What does the concept of “metanoia” (a transformative journey) mean to you in your life?
To me, metanoia is growth that feels real. It's not loud or forced. It's a quiet shift in mindset, priorities, and pace, when you start choosing what actually fits you.
It's like redesigning your internal world as you grow — subtle, but it changes everything.
What role does sustainability play in your choices, and how does that connect with owning a 57 Metanoia bag?
For me, sustainability is choosing quality over quantity. In design and in life, I'm trying to choose fewer things, but better ones.
Pieces that are well-made, timeless, and meant to last.
That's what I love about owning a 57 Metanoia bag: it's made to be used every day and to stay with you for a long time.
Which 57 metanoia bag do you own, and why did you choose it?
I own the 57 Metanoia Tote. I chose it because it gives me a sense of freedom. I can carry what I need and still have space for small moments, like taking my book with me and reading a few pages whenever I get a quiet window. My days can be a little chaotic sometimes, so having everything in one bag helps me feel ready for whatever the day turns into. And I love that it still looks chic and works with almost any outfit. No one would guess what kind of unexpected work essentials I'm carrying inside.
If you could describe your bag as a companion, what kind of personality would it have?
Calm and capable. The kind of companion that doesn't panic when the day changes in five minutes.
A reliable friend who quietly handles everything and is always down for a spontaneous coffee date.
If your bag could tell a story about you, what would it say?
If my 57 Metanoia bag could tell a story about me, it would say that she's always on the move between plans, places, and little moments for herself.
Sometimes a bit chaotic, but always looking for beauty in the details, whether it's a building facade or a great plot twist.
If your bag could hold one non-physical thing (a feeling, a memory, an idea), what would it be?
If my bag could hold one non-physical thing, it would be a feeling of belonging — like home, not a place, but a mood. The kind of warmth you carry with you no matter which city you're in or what kind of day it is. The kind of quiet clarity that makes you trust yourself, even when life feels unpredictable. And maybe that small “aha” moment too, when everything suddenly clicks and you feel calm again.
What's a piece of advice or a thought that has stayed with you over the years and still influences how you live today?
Trust the process, even when you don't see the final picture yet. I've learned that if you truly want something, you'll find your way to it step by step, even when you don't have all the answers in the beginning. Consistency, patience, and belief matter more than perfect timing.
And I always come back to one thought: “Form follows function, but soul follows feeling.” It reminds me to build everything on a strong foundation, but never forget the part that makes it truly human.