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, the concept of “Metanoia” feels like a quiet but profound inner shift that requires a lot of strength and courage, closely tied to learning to let go of the need for constant validation and slowly building a sense of worth that comes from within — not a one-time transformation, but an ongoing process of returning to myself again and again, each time with a little more honesty and acceptance." - Milena Vartanyan
Can you introduce yourself in a few words? (What do you do, what are you passionate about?)
I’m Milena — the founder of Frip’ Space, a vintage store in the heart of Yerevan, and a
bioinformatician working in oncology research.
Both paths remain deeply important to me. Science has been a part of my life since school and
eventually became a way to contribute to something meaningful. At the same time, I gradually
developed a passion for vintage — sourcing garments and learning about the history of designers
— which started as a hobby and later grew into the small store I opened about two years ago.
What moments in your daily life make you feel the most present?
The daily rituals I really enjoy such as a quick morning beauty routine, the first cup of coffee with
my loved ones and chit chats around it, walking with my dog in the morning sunshine, working
and sourcing more beautiful garment for frip’ space. All these things are easy to get used to or get
tired of but I do my best to appreciate them as much as I can.
How do you balance practicality and creativity in your everyday routine?
It feels like things I do for living already make me keep the balance in place. Sometimes it even
feels like I live two different lives simultaneously; the job I do requires attention, technical skills
and knowledge. On the other hand the vintage business I own takes a lot of creative vision;
curating collections, picking designers we want to see in our selections and styling them the way
we see it.
How do you see fashion as a form of self-expression,beyond just clothing and accessories?
My interpretation of fashion’s purpose is that I see it as a form of the art of living, which can be
found not precisely in haute couture collections, but also in something much simpler. Recently, I
got very inspired by military and workwear garments, and it’s such a plot twist when you see how
clothing used for very clear purposes is inspiring even top designers.
Learning the history behind the pieces you wear is the best way to better express yourself through
fashion.
Do you often experiment and change your style and what is the reason for that?
I think I’ve grown out of the phase of dramatic style changes and reached a point in my life where
I know exactly what I want from my looks. So, I now prefer a more sustainable approach: adding a
few standout pieces to my wardrobe each season or making small appearance tweaks, rather
than constantly reinventing myself.
Do you remember your very first bag and is there a story related to it
that you would like to share with us?
My first “conscious” purchase of a bag was a vintage Gucci Jackie made of canvas and leather. It
was the first time for me when a bag was not only a functional piece of an outfit, carrying my stuff,
but also a small statement and something that made me feel good about my look.
So basically, a friend of mine who has been working in the resale field for years suggested a very
nice capsule collection of vintage bags for my store, and the Jackie was among them. I
immediately felt a connection to it, as it was a very minimalistic black purse with a small hint of
Gucci (the green and red strap and branded lock).
How do the things you carry in your bag reflect your personality and lifestyle?
I think my bag content reflects simplicity of my personality. usually I carry essential pieces like lip
balm, hair brush, headphones, cardholder with a little cash and optionally my kindle or notebook
to read or make some notes.
If you had to create a “life essentials” list, what would be on it—beyond material things?
If I had to create a “life essentials” list beyond material things, I think the knowledge that all my
loved ones are safe, happy, and healthy is fundamental for me. I’d also include a sense ofcuriosity in everything I do
— that almost childish eagerness I hope I never lose. And maybe one
more thing: a quiet feeling of inner stability, the ability to be at peace with myself regardless of
circumstances.
What does the concept of “metanoia” (a transformative journey) mean to you in your life?
To me, the concept of “metanoia” feels like a quiet but profound inner shift that requires a lot of
strength and courage, closely tied to learning to let go of the need for constant validation and
slowly building a sense of worth that comes from within — not a one-time transformation, but an
ongoing process of returning to myself again and again, each time with a little more honesty and
acceptance.
What role does sustainability play in your choices, and how does
that connect with owning a 57 metanoia bag?
Sustainability is a crucial part of my life. It comes first from the way I was brought up — in my
family, we were taught to choose one quality garment instead of several that would be thrown
away in a season. The 57 Metanoia bag and the overall brand concept feel like a natural extension
of that mindset to me, reflecting authentic design and conscious choices.
Which 57 metanoia bag do you own, and why did you choose it?
I myself own a petite Dark Navy Mini Pouch that I love to carry when I’m in the mood for a light,
carefree city walk, taking only a few essentials with me. It always gives me the feeling of a
weekend — here aren’t many obligations, just the things I want to do, and a day spent for myself.
If you could describe your bag as a companion, what kind of personality would it have?
I love this question, as I truly see all my bags as companions throughout the day. I’d describe
them as a really close friend — one of those friends whose presence brings out the best in you
and who always has your back.
If your bag could tell a story about you, what would it say?
If my bag could tell a story about me, I hope it would be a good one, as I take great care of all of
them. I still get genuinely excited every time I come across a new treasure and welcome it into my
little family — and sometimes I wonder if they would feel that same excitement too.
If your bag could hold one non-physical thing (a feeling, a memory, an idea),
what would it be?
It would be a sense of calm. Something I could reach for in moments of doubt — a quiet reminder
to slow down, trust myself, and stay present in whatever I’m doing.
What’s a piece of advice or a thought that has stayed with you over the years and still
influences how you live today?
I have a messy and anxious mind, and once I received a piece of advice — more of a professional
one from my psychologist — to always do a reality check. Anytime I have a thought that really
makes me feel bad, I ask myself: “Is it something real, or did I assume it or make it up?” The
answer is usually the latter.
It’s a simple practice, but it helps me come back to reality, ground myself, and not let my thoughts
define how I feel or act.