Preparations for the Inauguration and a Journey for Fabrics to Italy (Featured in iDNES.cz)

Preparations for the Inauguration and a Journey for Fabrics to Italy

(Featured in iDNES.cz)

The presidential inauguration is the most important ritual of the election — a moment of dignity, ceremony, and symbolism. Nothing could be left to chance.

In my interview for iDNES.cz, I shared the story behind my journey to find the perfect fabric.

For years, I’ve faced a painful reality: the Czech Republic, once a textile powerhouse, has lost nearly all of its high-quality weaving and knitting mills. Thirty years ago, our country produced fabrics that could rival the best in the world. Today, sourcing premium textiles locally is nearly impossible. It saddens me deeply — I would be proud to design using Czech fabrics of global quality. But as that industry has faded, I’ve had to travel abroad to find what I need.

I’m writing this not as a tale of indulgence, but of necessity. When I founded my brand, I made a clear decision: to work only with the finest natural materials — wool, cashmere (one of the noblest types of wool), silk, and occasionally cotton.

It was a bold choice, rooted in my early memories of designing collections for Pietro Filipi under the guidance of my first mentor, Iveta Hendrychová. She taught me the art of working with exquisite fabrics — taking me to Italy to visit the best mills and textile fairs, such as Pitti Uomo and Pitti Filati.

I fell in love instantly. To touch such fabrics is a joy only a sensitive person can truly understand — and to wear cashmere or silk directly on the skin is an experience unlike any other. Once you’ve felt it, you can never return to polyester.

With that in mind, I set off to find the right fabric for the inauguration dress. I am fortunate to collaborate directly with manufacturers who know their textiles intimately — their structure, behavior, and story. After seeing my sketches, they guided me toward the perfect match.

Exclusively for this purpose, they helped me source a unique wool crepe, which later became the defining material of the inaugural ensemble and cape.

And the rest, as they say, is history.
Grazie!