To celebrate International Women’s Day, we spoke with the founder of Vika about what inspires her designs, the reality of balancing motherhood with building a brand and her own personal style. Inspired by creativity, the beauty of childhood and the special connection between generations, Lana has created a children’s wear label that feels both timeless and thoughtful. In this conversation, she shares the story behind Vika, the women who shaped her journey, and what continues to inspire the pieces she creates.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and the story behind Vika? What inspired you to start the brand?
I’m Lana, the founder of Vika, and the brand began from something deeply personal. Growing up, I watched my mum build her own fashion label, pouring her heart into every design. She took incredible pride in how we looked as children, always dressing us with care and attention to detail. That appreciation for beautifully made clothing stayed with me.
When I became a mother myself, I found the same joy in dressing my daughters. Vika was born from that connection between generations - a tribute to my mum, Alla, and inspired by my firstborn daughter, Viktoria. The brand is really about celebrating childhood through thoughtful design, creating pieces that feel timeless, special, and full of meaning.
Being both a mother and a business owner is a powerful combination. How has motherhood shaped the way you approach your work and creativity?
Motherhood has shaped every part of how I approach Vika. My daughters are at the heart of the brand, and they influence so many of the creative decisions I make.
When you become a mother, you realise just how fleeting childhood is. That awareness has made me more intentional about the pieces I create. Clothing that feels beautiful, comfortable, and worthy of the memories families are making in them.
What has been the most rewarding part of building Vika so far?
The most rewarding part has been seeing other mothers and their daughters wearing Vika. When someone shares a photo of their child in one of our pieces, it’s incredibly special.
What began as something deeply personal and designing for my own daughters has grown into a community of families who connect with the same love for timeless pieces and the magic of childhood.
And on the flip side, what has been one of the biggest challenges you've faced as a woman running a business?
Like many women building something of their own, balancing motherhood and business can be challenging. There are moments where you’re navigating multiple roles at once - mother, designer, marketer and founder.
But it’s also incredibly empowering. One of the biggest lessons for me has been learning to trust my vision and continue building something meaningful, even when the path isn’t always clear.
Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
So much of my inspiration comes from childhood itself. The innocence, simplicity and joy of those early years.
I’m drawn to natural fabrics like linen and cotton, timeless silhouettes, and thoughtful details that elevate a piece without overcomplicating it. Often the starting point is imagining my daughters wearing something. Pieces that feel effortless to move in but still special enough to hold onto as memories.
International Women’s Day is about celebrating and supporting women. What does this day mean to you personally?
For me, International Women’s Day is a moment to reflect on the women who shape us. I think especially of my mum, who showed me what it means to create something with passion and dedication.
It’s also a day to celebrate the strength and resilience of women everywhere - particularly mothers who are balancing family life while building their own dreams.
What advice would you give to other women, especially mothers, who are thinking about starting something of their own?
I would say start with something that feels meaningful to you. The most powerful ideas often come from very personal places. You don’t need to have everything perfectly mapped out from the beginning. Trust your intuition, take the first step, and allow the journey to unfold!
How would you describe your own personal style? And has it changed since becoming a mother?
My personal style has always been quite effortless and minimal. I’m naturally drawn to timeless pieces, beautiful fabrics and silhouettes that feel feminine yet simple.
Since becoming a mother, I think I’ve become even more appreciative of that simplicity, pieces that feel beautiful but easy to wear. That same philosophy carries through into how I design for Vika.
And finally, can you give us a little sneak peek of what’s to come for Vika’s next collection?
The next collection continues to celebrate the beauty of childhood, but this season I wanted to introduce something a little more playful. Alongside our signature capsule pieces, we’re bringing in more summer-inspired styles. Think light, effortless pieces designed for long beach days, warm afternoons, and those carefree moments that make childhood so special.
We’re also introducing a few bolder silhouettes and louder styles, which is something new for Vika. It felt like the perfect way to add a fresh energy to the collection while still staying true to the timeless aesthetic of the brand.
At its heart, the collection is still about beautiful natural fabrics, thoughtful details, and pieces that feel easy for girls to move, play, and grow in - clothing designed to live inside those joyful summer memories.
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Vika is a celebration of childhood, creativity and the meaningful moments that shape family life. Thank you Lana for sharing your story with us and for inspiring us this International Women’s Day.
Discover the latest pieces from Vika online
Vika
vika.com.au
@vikakidsofficial