My name is Maria in arte Popa, I am a fashion designer and I recently started my musical project where I write and sing songs in Italian even if I am of Lithuanian origin!

My music is inspired by some of the iconic characters and corners of Milan. In my way of describing and living Milan there is a lot of lightness and love, I’m fascinated by those places where time never seems to pass.

Milan has a certain warm melancholy about it during Christmas, it reminds me of my childhood in Lithuania, my heart melts in front of a risotto shared with a Bon Vivant chansonnier, and as he whispers to me ‘domani poi si penserà’ I lift my champagne glass to the stars, that shine like diamonds from Via Della Spiga, and flip my hair: last christmas I was in Courmayeur, this year I am in Gstaad, next year I want Aspen!

And as I patiently wait for my dreams to come true I go window shopping for Christmas gifts and life immediately becomes beautiful.

I start with a low key breakfast at Ponky’s where I like to read books and chat with the owner as I have my morning cappuccino.
The Persian carpet store opposite reminds me of my grandparents house in Lithuania so I feel immediately at home.

I miss my nonna so I go to the ultimate sciura of milan for lunch, La Lina, for a little risotto, and then end the day with a cin cin at La Coloniale with the owner, who is always in style because he wears a fuchsia matching jacket with his fuchsia prescription glasses.