Czech Benefashion 2009
September 13, 2009
Filed under Fashion & Culture, Review
The Bohemian National Hall was full of Czech stars last night shining for a good cause – the Tatana Kucharova Foundation. Tatana, a former Miss World, created the foundation known as the “Beauty of Help” to set up halfway houses to help people – young and old – who find themselves in difficult life situations. Whether its health, social or financial in nature, Tatana believes in giving a helping hand.
Last night a number of luminaries from the Czech Republic joined forces for the Czech Benefashion Show featuring Libena Rochova, head of the Fashion and Footwear Department at the Czech Republic Academy of Arts Architecture and Design in Prague, and her students. The prominent designer whose architectural style was entertaining, innovative and somewhat mind boggling is passing on her knowledge and experience to a new generation! Using glass, paper, plastics, gauge and other inventive materials she and her students filled with the runway with a 21st century vision.
“It was electric,” exclaimed Aja Vrzanova Steindler, a two-time world figure skating champion who defected to the US in 1950. “The imagination was outstanding!” Libena, called the show, Reflection of Tradition/Fusion of Past and Present.
“It was full art,” said Justin Law, commenting on a wicker headdress. “It was beyond the 21st century,” said Yamoto. “It was the 50s thrown into the year 2500.” Yemi A.D., a Czech citizen with African ancestry calls it “artwork on the go! He choreographed the show and is a serious fashion fan of the designer. “It has a deep sense of architecture – it’s about structure and design.” Yemi mixed the music for the show to compliment the natural sounds of Libena’s glass jewelry which some guests said sounded like “chimes on the runway.”
“My glass jewelry is inspired by sculpture,” explained Libena, who designs for Lucie Bila — considered the Czech “Madonna.” “And I love fabrics with sound.” She plays with paper in some of her designs and makes plastics pliable so her pieces don’t look stiff. “Fashion is moving sculpture,” Libena insisted.
Jarmila Rysava got the surprise of her life when she got to rub elbows with Czech musical superstar Karel Gott at the VIP reception after the show. She had come from the Czech Republic to visit her daughter, Barbara Brown, who took her to the fundraiser. Gott is known as the Elvis Presley of his country, so both ladies were delighted.
The show, organized by Czech Center New York in cooperation with Beauty of Help-Tatana Kucharova Foundation gave Georgina Sager a deep sense of pride. “Czech people are very creative,” she said adding that she had survived invasions by Germany in ’39 and Russia in ’48 before making the US her home for the past 40 years.
Libena is putting her ethnic pride into her students. “It’s very important to teach these young people and hand over my experience,” she said. “I like to teach them to be one step ahead.” Job well done Libena!
- Francesca Simon
Photos by Andrea Koch
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