Gold, boots & the zen of working mom

Lucie Šíma, a music and film producer, mother of Niko, an avid collector of cowboy boots, a devoted fan of Johnny Cash and rock'n'roll, and a lover of vintage leather vests from Saint Laurent, allowed us to peek into her Žižkov apartment and her wardrobe full of treasures, each with its own story to tell. In an apartment with a prominent library, adorned with the iconic Wassily chair and decorated in a boho style mixed with elements of Japanese culture, modern art and Czech design, we interviewed Lucie not only about fashion, music, and film, but also about her love for Los Angeles.

As a lover of vintage, where do you do most of your shopping?

I prefer to shop second-hand - and not just for vintage items. It makes sense to me both in terms of affordability and sustainability. Plus, I love the thrill of finding something special. I have most of my pieces through Vestiaire - like one of my most beautiful vintage treasures - a Chanel belt from 1994, worn by Naomi Campbell on the runway. When I travel, I scour vintage shops and flea markets. In Paris, I bought a lace blouse estimated to be from around 1890, so it's already an antique. The silk ribbon has frayed, but otherwise, it's still in beautiful condition, and I wear it in the summer. My engagement ring is from Naples in the 1950s, created as a celebration of life after the end of World War II; we bought it at an auction.

During our shoot, you mentioned memories of LA and how you could imagine living there. What's the reason behind it, and which places from this city have left the biggest impression on you?

My positive connection to L.A. started way back, amidst listening to The Doors and attempting to make my own “Jesus sandals”. I fell in love with it on my very first visit. We stayed in a little cottage in Venice, close to the ocean, and it all had such an easy, relaxed vibe that I sorely miss in Prague. As vegetarians, we greatly appreciated the local restaurants and organic stores. Erewhon became our daily haunt - highly recommended. We also spent some time near Joshua Tree, which was a beautiful, spiritual experience. Alone in the desert, coyotes would come right up to the fence at night... Three highlights from L.A. - the Arts District in Downtown, matcha ice cream in Little Tokyo, and the palm-lined streets of Silverlake.

For several years, you worked as a concert producer. Could you elaborate on what your job entailed?

Well, as a concert producer, it's all about bringing together bands, promising them money, food, drinks, endless admiration, and then hoping that someone will actually show up and you won't end up in the red. Unfortunately, that's often the reality, especially in the realm of more experimental genres. On the flip side, smaller gigs come with lower stress levels and some financial security, albeit the assurance that no one will be making a fortune. :) I personally booked Czech bands, occasionally those from Berlin, and the furthest I went was booking Wreck and Reference from Los Angeles. But within Full Moon, we also hosted concerts with international stars like Jozef van Wissem, who composed music for Jarmusch's film Only Lovers Left Alive, producer Samuel Kerridge, Belgian band Warhaus, or Japanese group Bo Ningen.

What's one meeting that stands out most in your memory?

I fondly remember an evening spent with the late Věra Boudníková - the wife of Vladimir Boudník. We had a fabulous party together. While I ended up falling asleep in her bed, she sewed a teddy bear for me. She left me a few items, including gloves from a dissident priest in Humpolec, with the fingers cut off so he could turn the pages of the Bible. She had a great sense of humor.

You yourself had a project centered around vintage clothing. What led you to that, and do you plan to return to it?

I've been considering returning to it. Currently, neither music nor film production holds the same appeal for me as before, perhaps until Niko gets a bit older. A store could beautifully merge my love for clothing, photography, and music. The concept would be somewhat different because I don't want to restrict myself solely to vintage intentions, but the details are still unclear. Everything will evolve as we go along.

According to your wardrobe, it seems that accessories, especially shoes - cowboy boots, hats, jewelry, and vests - play a significant role in your style. Why these particular pieces? Where do you find them?

I adore old American country music, Townes Van Zandt, Johnny Cash. This love has undoubtedly found its way into my wardrobe. Recently, I rewatched The Magnificent Seven, my favorite childhood movie, and it dawned on me that it might have started there. My first Barbie doll was a cowgirl, haha... Some of my cowboy boots are from America, some from Mexico, but most are from Saint Laurent and Celine, with two beautiful pieces from Isabel Marant. I mainly source vests from vintage finds on Vinted and thrift stores, and my jewelry comes from Alighieri - that's my heartfelt passion.

You're a big fashion collector, but if you really had to part with some pieces, which ones would you "shed tears" over the most?

How much time do we have? :) I would bawl my eyes out over my fringed leather vest from Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane, circa 2014. Hedi designed it as part of his Psych Rock collection, paying homage to the psychedelic movement of the 60s. It appeared in one of his most famous editorials for Vogue France, though a different version was showcased on the runway. By the way, I recently managed to get my hands on the dress from the same look. Other beloved pieces include a cropped velvet jacket, also from Saint Laurent, pre-fall 2016, and unique cowboy boots from Phoebe Philo's Celine fall 2017 collection. Not as rare, but certainly my most frequently worn, is the blazer from Isabel Marant, which has the perfect, slightly oversized fit. Whenever I wear it, I feel as safe as if I were in armor.

What do you feel most comfortable in and what makes you feel like a femme fatale?

Comfortable? A blazer, jeans, oversized tee, and sweatpants. Swap the sweatpants for jeans, add some red lipstick and voilà.. :)

Do you talk to your husband and son about their clothing choices?

If it were up to me, they'd look like Brian Jones and little Ari Boulogne. Haha... Not for now, I have the privilege of dressing Niko, and I really enjoy playful children's clothing, mixing colors and patterns. When he's older, he'll inherit my rock 'n' roll jackets; I hope he will be heading towards that style.

You've allowed us a glimpse into your home, which, in my opinion, reflects your unique style, pace of life, travels, and memories. Which interior and decor pieces are you most proud of, and why?

I absolutely adore the Wassily chair, an immortal design by Marcel Breuer from 1928. I managed to get my hands on a limited edition piece commemorating the 100th anniversary of Bauhaus - only 500 were made. Unlike the classic model, it has a dark metal frame. Among the most interesting pieces from our travels are antique wooden Geti shoes from Kyoto and a two-meter totem from Indonesia. A rare gem for us is an original print of Kosmosex, which my husband and I received as a birthday gift from Pavel Brázda himself - complete with a dedication. And the newest addition to our collection of objects is the Akari UF3-Q lamp by designer and sculptor Isamu Noguchi, which we had been wishing for a long time.

Which film or book would best capture you and your life?

"Gold, Boots & the Zen of a Working Mom." It's still a work in progress, but I'm hoping for a happy ending.

You're a lover of Žižkov, so what are the three places not to miss?

Žižkov boasts a bohemian character, shaped primarily by its inhabitants - students, workers, artists, and Prague's eclectic mix. It maintains a rawness and authenticity to this day. I'd recommend strolling through the streets around Kostnické Square and Bořivojka, climbing up to Vítkov to enjoy the breathtaking views of Prague, visiting an exhibition at the A.M.180 gallery, and if you're into unconventional music, don't miss Punctum in Krásovka.

I have a feeling that you're someone who lives for experiences and emotions. What would bring you the most joy right now?

My big dream is a road trip across America - seeing Arches National Park in eastern Utah, driving through Arizona, visiting Georgia O'Keefe's home and studio in New Mexico, and if I'm lucky, stumbling upon a concert by Colter Wall and Orville Peck along the way. Hopefully, it'll happen someday.

PS: Any material desires? Bringing back some custom, hand-painted cowboy boots from there would be amazing. :)