Moments from the Day of the Presidential Election Announcement — January 28, 2023

Interview in Lidovky and Mention on Czech Design

About My Work for the Presidential Couple Pavlová, Following the Election of President Petr Pavel

I had the honor of creating not only the styling but also designing the dress for Mrs. Eva Pavlová — and of inviting fellow designers to collaborate. Jeweler Hanuš Lamr completed the look with his brooch “Pink Chestnut”, and Markéta Folbeur contributed her MACARON Petite handbag in a soft metallic pink.

I remember very little from that day. Most vividly, the quiet morning preparations of the Pavlovi family in Roudnice nad Labem, and the drive following their car to Karlín. After that came moments of tension, focus — and the rest is history.

I hadn’t expected to step onto the stage, where I would be “revealed” as the stylist. I was sure that in my black dress I would blend into the background of far more important strategists. But suddenly, a ten-meter-wide photo of me appeared above the stage — and I realized there was no going back behind the scenes. At that exact moment, my phone buzzed nonstop in my pocket as hundreds of messages started arriving. I remember holding my pincushion and small scissors tightly in my hand, thinking, this must be a dream.

Fortunately, it never crossed my mind that anyone beyond the journalists and cameramen in Forum Karlín could actually see me. Looking back, I’m grateful for that — for believing it was just another working day. Otherwise, I doubt I would have made it to the stage at all.

That unawareness allowed me to stay grounded, to work calmly and professionally — preparing and checking the outfits of the President and the First Lady until the official announcement of the election results.

I am deeply thankful for those extraordinary moments shared with President Petr Pavel, Mrs. Eva Pavlová, and the entire campaign team.

It changed my life — profoundly, and in the best possible way.

Photography: Zuzana Bonisch