The essence of tradition, artfully executed craftsmanship and thoughtful sustainability could summarize the Aleš Hnátek brand, though this would be a simplistic description of a multi-layered body of work.
The brand’s creations engage with themes that extend beyond the boundaries of fashion design. The starting point for the collections is often the material itself. Rather than selecting from the endless material options readily available today, Aleš draws from his personal archive consisting of various unused fabrics from craft workshops and upholstery fabrics from old sofas. He admires the old fabrics, appreciating their beauty, intricate patterns, skilled workmanship, and perceiving the ancient smell and the stories woven into their frayed fibres. He has a passion for archival textiles that evoke the atmosphere and spirit of their era. These materials boast a level of quality rarely seen today, serving as an ideal foundation for new products, which in turn allow the brand to breathe new life into them. This individual approach naturally comes with certain limitations that align with the principles of sustainability, such as the finite nature of resources and the absolute uniqueness of the pieces produced. Aleš also feels the need to reflect the context of today’s world and current events, making him a natural advocate for sensible consumption. Each of his pieces is a work of art, where artistic intention merges with respect for applied craft. In addition to visual appeal, this demands precise craftsmanship, functionality and wearability. The resulting garments thus rightly belong to the category of wearable artworks.
This status is the result of Aleš's complex approach and creative signature. Just as important as what lies beneath the surface of his work is the form of the garments. Aleš’s collections are distinguished by a cohesive aesthetic that oscillates between a dreamlike world and sophisticated elegance, achieving a harmonious balance of individual elements. The refined structural designs are complemented by the texture and appearance of the selected materials, which add an additional visual and haptic layer to the garment.
Sustainability in Aleš’s conception is not just a buzzword but a solid foundation of his entire work, rooted in a deep understanding of the issue in all its complexity. Local and ethical production results in stylistically coherent products that resist short-term trends and are built to last. In his vision, fashion is not about transience but about lasting continuity and a responsible approach to life.
Veronika Soukupová text