Designblok Premier Fashion Week 2013

DesignBlok’s fifteenth year marks its start with a new spring version

Joann Plockova

Written by Joann Plockova Published on 14.03.2013 15:13:14 (updated on 14.03.2013) Reading time: 4 minutes

Every year in the world’s fashion capitals – Milan, Paris, London, and New York – fashion weeks are held not once, but twice, to meet the seasonal demands of the industry, providing an opportunity for designers to present their spring/summer and autumn/winter collections before the season. In an effort to provide the same opportunity for Czech fashion designers, and thus give Czech fashion design a boost toward more visibility on the international map, Designblok Premier Fashion Week (DPFW) – annually held in autumn as an integral part of Designblok –will present its first spring edition from March 20-24. 

“We want to organize spring DPFW every year as we want Prague to have the traditional spring and autumn fashion week, “ says Larisa Blichová, spokesperson for Profil Media, the organizers behind Designblok. “Fashion designers [have the opportunity] to present their collection for the next season – not just the current one – which is not usual in the Czech Republic.”

What has also not been usual in the Czech Republic is the form the spring DPFW presentations will take. Unlike the autumn version of the event, which presents the collections through large fashion shows, the spring fashion week will take a more intimate approach with the wares presented in salons and showrooms as is common abroad.

The opening presentation will take place inside the boutique showroom of the event’s first presenter – Denisa Nová. Nová, 2007 Czech Grand Design Award Fashion Designer of the Year winner, has presented collections under her brand DNB since 2000. As described by the organizers, “Simplicity is the foundation” of her line. Following Nová’s presentation, the renowned Dior brand will present the first pret-a-porter collection from its new creative director, Raf Simons – to be held in the Dior shop on Prague’s elite shopping street, Pařížská.

Starting the following day, all events will then take place inside Křehký Gallery – an intimate space presenting a variety of contemporary design exhibitions and its own limited edition collection (also home to the offices of Profil Media – Křehký Gallery’s founders). The first presentation inside this main venue is by Talent Cards – a group of four young designers who were selected to present their wares on last year’s Designblok.

Throughout the rest of the event, attendees will have the opportunity to see the Autumn/Winter collections, as well as the current collections, by big names like Klára Nademlýnská, Hana Zárubová, Pavel Brejcha, Monika Drápolová and the mother of Czech contemporary fashion design, Liběna Rochová. In addition to presenting her Autumn/Winter 2013/14 collection – which was inspired by 3D material – Rochová was also part of the event’s preparatory committee.

“[Through this event] The Czech fashion scene should wake up in relationship to international events and actions. The buyers of quality fashion design should find their way to us,” said Rochová. “They are passing Prague now, but with this new project they could have a good reason to come. The date is really important – Designblok Premier Fashion Week should be in calendars of the world’s fashion weeks. Therefore the benefit is really important. Czech fashion designers need to prepare at least two collections every year so they can be a part of the international events.“

Special guests of the event include London-based Czech designer Martina Špetlová – whose collections regularly appear at London Fashion Week and inside prestigious fashion magazines throughout the world – and a collection of France-based designers, including Anna Kermanach, who is behind the globally popular handbag brand Anpluska.

Klára NademlýnskáKlára NademlýnskáKlára Nademlýnská

Klára NademlýnskáKlára NademlýnskáHana ZárubováZorya - Daniel Pošta and Zděnek Vacek
Pavel BrejchaLiběna RochováEva Eisler

Although the majority of the week’s events are by invitation only, the final day of the event provides the opportunity for the general public to have a look and purchase. A pop-up shop, open from 11:00 until 18:00., will feature the collections of all the designers who have presented throughout the week, as well as new collections by a number of jewelry designers. “Every designer will have his or her own place in the gallery where he can present his clothing or jewelry. There will be changing rooms so visitors can try on the clothes,” explains Blichová.

Along with the pop-up shop, a “Jewelry Brunch” will run from 11:00 until 14:00.. Internationally known Czech jewelry designer Eva Eisler will premier her new collection WABI SABI. In her signature fashion, the pieces comprising the collection look like sculptures. 2012 Grand Designers of the year, Daniel Pošta and Zděnek Vacek will also have a new collection on display.

The culmination of the event will be an invitation only evening gala at the Troja Chateau – a final fashion show where all the Autumn/Winter 2013/14 collections will be shown. In its entirety, the 2013 spring DBFW marks the premier event of Designblok’s fifteenth year.

Who’s your favorite Czech fashion designer? Have you ever attended any Designblok events? Share your fashion tips for more spring fashion inspiration.

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