Praha Fashion: Two Czech Designers and their Work in TCD

12 Feb 2009    

Praha Fashion: Two Designers & Their Stories

Two of the Czech Republic's most prominent fashion designers, Tatiana Kovarikova and Jaroslava Prochaskova, are currently guests of the Department of Textiles Clothing and Design on the occasion of their joint exhibition in the Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery.

The exhibition, running through March 6, presents examples of their high fashion garment lines. The designers have been meeting with various TCD studios and classes to discuss their contributions in helping to establish Prague as an emerging European fashion center. Professor Barbara Trout organized the designers’ visit to TCD, one that, in addition to interactions with students in the classroom, includes a full schedule of receptions and meetings with community organizations. Their visit culminates with a free public lecture at 2 p.m. on Sunday Feb. 15, at which the two designers will describe the development of their businesses in Eastern Europe since the Velvet Revolution in 1989.

Two designs by Tatiana Kovarikova

Kovarikova and Prochaskova have shown their apparel designs at market in fashion centers such as Paris, Rotterdam, London and New York. Their designs have appeared in the pages of French Vogue, European editions of Elle magazine and Prague's Luxury Shopping Guide.

Coat designs by Jaroslava Prochaskova

A highlight of the Hillestad gallery exhibit is a grouping of eveningwear decorated with oversized crystals, one of the country's domestic products. Beautifully tailored suits in the exhibit are crafted of novelty weaves, while one dazzling coat is created of faux fur with a black-on-white leather alphabet motif. Imaginative and body conscious, their designs are accurately described as fashion forward with an urban edge.

Tatiana Kovarikova (l.), Jaroslava Prochaskova (r.) and Dr. Barbara Trout (center), organizer of their visit and exhibition, at the Hillestad Gallery reception in their honor

Another aspect of this project will take place from May 18-June 5, when 26 textiles clothing and design students travel to the Czech Republic to study the design treasures of Prague and to visit and interact with Kovarikova and Prochaskova at their design studios and showrooms.

The current exhibit and accompanying events are supported in part by the Nebraska Arts Council, The University of Nebraska Research Council, the Friends of the Hillestad Gallery and the Department of Textiles, Clothing & Design.

The designers meeting with students in TXCD 216 Flat Pattern, with Assistant Prof. Xia Gao