Vendula Šulanová: Between Fragility, Power and Quiet Rituals

Atelier Conversations celebrates designers who create from emotion, intuition and quiet inner strength — and for me, this chapter is deeply personal. Vendula Šulanová is not only a remarkably talented Czech fashion designer, known for her thoughtful denim, premium materials and impeccable craftsmanship, but also a long-time friend: humble, warm, and one of the kindest souls I know. Her pieces, always meticulously executed, can be discovered at SmetanaQ Showroom | Designer’s shop & studios, where her aesthetic continues to evolve through precision and feeling.

There is a quiet duality at the heart of Vendula’s work — a constant dialogue between fragility and power, intuition and discipline. Recently, she unveiled a new collection in the inspiring space of Flow, where her designs entered into a visual dialogue with the work of artist Veronika Manukjan. In November, she will travel to Copenhagen to dress a Swedish film star at her movie premiere, while also preparing a meaningful project for the Veronika Kašáková Foundation.

Her answers reveal a creator who feels deeply, designs intentionally and finds beauty everywhere — in people, in fleeting encounters, in the scent of coffee on a city street, and in the irregular lace symbolising infinity that shaped her recent collection. “Even shyness can hold immense inner power,” she says. When she feels lost, she returns to rest: sleep heals more than we admit, a quiet wisdom passed down from her mother.

In this conversation, Vendula shares insights on colour, chaos, rituals and the kind of inner strength that grows quietly — transforming uncertainty into beauty, and beauty into something real.

When was the last time something moved you so deeply that you thought: I need to transform this into my work?

The strongest inspiration came from realising how closely two opposing forces are connected — fragility and strength. I’m fascinated by the moment you understand that even the softest shyness can carry immense inner power, and the other way around. This duality constantly appears in my work. For my AW 23/24 collection, I discovered lace with an irregular pattern of intertwined threads that captured this idea beautifully — symbolising infinity, vulnerability and resilience all at once.

Which colour or texture describes your current mood and why?

Right now, I feel like a blend of brown, burgundy, red and deep navy. Brown gives me grounding and warmth; burgundy represents femininity and maturity; red carries courage and life; and deep navy brings calm and silence. Together, they form a harmony of strength and softness — exactly how I feel today.

What helps you reconnect with yourself when you get lost in your creative process?

When a day starts shifting in the wrong direction, my medicine is rest — and sleep. I’ve learned that distance and recovery solve far more than endless overthinking. Sleep, to me, is a powerful reset that brings clarity and peace. And to be honest, my mum taught me long ago that sleep really does heal more than we admit.

“Intuition and discipline — that’s the balance my work lives on.”

What fascinates you at the moment in life, in light, in people, in details?

Lately, I’m deeply inspired by the work of Veronika Manukjan. Our aesthetics connected so naturally that we created a shared project — a dialogue between our creative worlds. I’m equally moved by human encounters. Sometimes you meet someone for the first time, and something inside you shifts. Emotion rises, sometimes even tears — touched by the energy that person carries. It’s a strange, beautiful feeling of safety and connection that stays with me long after.

Is there a place you return to when you need to feel creative energy again?

When I need to recharge, I follow my senses. I love walking through the city — the scent of fresh coffee, chocolate, perfume drifting through the air.
I stop in a café, enjoy a moment of silence, savour my small luxury: coffee crowned with chocolate foam. That’s when calmness and gratitude arrive — and with them, new ideas. I often carry a sketchbook, so those first lines quickly turn into new designs.

What does your creative chaos look like, and how do you keep balance within it?

My process is a mix of intuition and discipline. I let things flow — but always with a clear intention.
Balance comes from inner calm and the trust that beauty is born from contrasts. When I stop trying to control everything, something deeply personal emerges.

If you could exhibit just one piece that speaks for everything you do — which one would it be?

I would choose my off-white lace dress, the one I wore on the evening of my wedding. It symbolises who I am — and what I create.
The lace with its irregular pattern evokes infinity and strength, while holding softness and feminine delicacy.

What is your favourite ritual that has nothing to do with creating?

I love meditation — moments of silence and stillness when I can simply pause and be present. It may seem unrelated to my work, yet these moments are when new thoughts and ideas often appear.

“When I stop trying to control everything, something truly personal emerge.” Vendula Šulanová

What does it mean to you to be an artist in 2025?

Being an artist today is about balance. On one side is the desire to create, search for beauty and express a personal vision; on the other side stands the reality of our time — sustainability, social media, economic and cultural pressures. I feel myself evolving as a designer — my aesthetic and handwriting deepen — yet the world demands much more than talent: resilience, authenticity, adaptability. My work becomes not just an escape, but an answer. A way to turn uncertainty into beauty, into calm, into something real.

What does your ideal work-free Sunday look like?

Sunday is for family. For calm, laughter, presence. Moments that remind me why I do all of this.

Which film, book or song is accompanying you at the moment?

Right now, I’m listening to “Nice to Each Other” by Olivia Dean. It’s uplifting and full of joy — my daughter and I often dance to it. Her fans describe her music as “that soft, honest magic that flows straight into the heart” — and that’s exactly how I feel about it.

Vendula Šulanová VS

Vendula Šulanová is a Czech fashion designer and the creative force behind the label VS, a brand defined by premium materials, precise tailoring and a deep sensitivity to detail. Her professional journey spans Prague, Hong Kong, Beijing, Amsterdam and Hamburg, where she refined her aesthetic in international creative studios with a strong focus on denim, construction and contemporary womenswear.

Her work bridges intuition and craftsmanship — designing for women who carry both softness and strength. VS collections are produced in limited series to ensure exclusivity and exceptional quality, while honouring sustainability through low-waste processes and thoughtful material use.

Vendula’s design language grows from contrasts, emotions and quiet rituals. She creates pieces that feel intimate yet powerful, timeless yet deeply personal — embodying a modern femininity shaped by depth, resilience and beauty in detail.