Exhibition of Dresses by Hana Podolská, which Had Also Been Worn by Mandlová and Benešová (until 20.1.)
The unique exhibition of luxury dresses by Hany Podolská from the time of the First Republic, is to be seen at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague, from 30. 8. 2018 to 20. 1. 2019.
Any period has its artists, scientists, philosophers, writers and fashion designers. Hana Podolská (1880 - 1972) is a phenomenon, a representative fashion designer the First Republic style of clothing. Similarly to our current way of looking at fashion brands like Chanel or Dior, during the period of the First Republic, it was Hana Podolská´s fashion house.
Whose had her clothes made by Hana Podolská?
It was the most prestigious salon of the interwar period of Czech society. Therefore, it was here that luxurious evening gowns as well as elegant casual clothes were ordered by stars such as Adina Mandlová, Nataša Gollová, Jarmila Novotná, Eliška Junková et al. The door handle of the salon in Prague Palace Lucerna was also touched by Hana Benešová; on several occasions.
Her dress appeared also in many movies which you are sure to know: Rukavička (1941), Kristián (1939), Katakomby (1940), Zlatá Kateřina (1934).
Valuable collection of luxury models from the interwar period
It is not a cse of retro fashion, but a long-term concept of monitoring of style. The curator of this unique exhibition is PhDr. Eva Uchalová who has been engaged in the topic of interwar fashion on a long-term basis, as exemplified by her many publications and previous exhibitions. She has been collecting materials and clothes from the workshop of Hana Podolská for over thirty years and you now also have a chance not only to see, but also to touch the luxurious materials from which they were made. The organisers also prepared one amazing thing: a microscope which you attach to your mobile phone and then on its display you can see the structure of the fabric, enlarged many times over. Our recommendation is for you not to miss this opportunity!
Johanna Vošahlíková turned into Hana Podolská
The luxury fashion house developed from a small dressmaking workshop, which was founded by Johanna Vošahlíková, which is the original name of Hana Podolská. The name of Hana came to be through the shortening of the name of Johanna and when in 1907 she married Viktor Podolský, she acquired a surname under which she was known to all esteemed and important people of the interwar period.
Curator of the exhibition, Eva Uchalová continues to ask everyone, who could help to extend the collection by new pieces or information, not to hesitate to contact her through the contacts listed on the museum website.
