MBPFW: Day 3
HARPER’S BAZAAR: FASHION DESIGN SELECTION
The third day of the Mercedes-Benz Prague Fashion Week kicked off with the Harper’s Bazaar Fashion Design Selection / Mattoni Young Fashion Stars, featuring a series of fashion shows by student studios from the Technical University of Liberec, Tomáš Baťa University in Zlín (Fashion Design Studio), and an international guest from Central Saint Martins.
As part of the student showcase, the program also featured the Mattoni Young Fashion Stars competition. This contest is open to university students specializing in fashion design. In its second edition, the brief challenged contestants to design two looks - one menswear and one womenswear - taking inspiration from the mineral elements found in Mattoni mineral water, while adhering to a Red Carpet dress code.
Out of ten finalist designs, the expert jury was most impressed by the creations of Jakub Mikulášek (Faculty of Art and Design, UJEP), Anna Dunděrová (Studio of Fashion and Footwear Design, UMPRUM), and Vojtěch Smrž (Studio of Fashion and Footwear Design, UMPRUM).
The highest overall score was awarded to Jakub Mikulášek for his design inspired by the sedimentation of mineral substances.
ELLE GALA: VALÉRIE JURČÍKOVÁ / ALEXANDRA GNIDIAK
The evening program, under the patronage of Elle Czech Republic, was dedicated to two distinct voices of the emerging fashion scene – Alexandra Gnidiak and Valérie Jurčíková. Their joint show offered contrasting yet complementary perspectives on femininity, history, and the present moment.
Valérie Jurčíková
Valérie Jurčíková is known for her intuitive design approach and her experimentation with unconventional materials. Her collections often begin as sculptural fashion objects, later transformed into wearable pieces. In this collection, she immersed the audience in the atmosphere of 60s and 70s airport lounges, where wealthy women and flight attendants once crossed paths. The show opened with models in blue uniforms reminiscent of vintage airline attire, evoking the hustle and anticipation of pre-departure. The collection combined feminine silhouettes with elements of industrial aesthetics. It featured denim, velvet, lace, and metallic details, creating a tension between delicacy and rawness. A standout look included khaki velvet dresses adorned with metal necklaces, symbolizing the inner strength and independence of the wearer.
Alexandra Gnidiak
Alexandra Gnidiak drew inspiration for her new collection from the legendary race car driver Eliška Junková. This influence was reflected in designs that merged elegance with sporty dynamism. Models walked the runway in sharply tailored suits with wide-leg trousers, paired with racing caps and goggles - evoking the atmosphere of interwar motor racing culture. The collection featured a warm, muted color palette of browns, yellows, and powdery shades of beige and pink. This palette referenced the visual aesthetic of Wes Anderson films. Gnidiak focused on precision tailoring and detail, creating garments that resembled sculptural pieces - each telling the story of a strong and independent woman.
