Prague chef Karpiskova teams up with Alois Ficek on capsule line

Bara Karpiskova, founder of the Prague bistro Bjukitchen, is preparing a joint capsule collection with designer Jan Trakal and his fashion brand Alois Ficek — a project that grew out of an apron that doubles as a dress.

The collaboration had been discussed for several years, but the spark was one specific piece: an apron-dress Trakal made for Karpiskova for an event during Prague Fashion Week. After the show, the entrepreneur decided to display it in the bistro's window — and while setting it up, she and the designer realised they wanted to do a joint photo shoot together, and eventually a whole line of clothing.

At the heart of the collection is that same apron-dress, along with oversized unisex T-shirts in heavy cotton, dresses, a canvas work jacket and a sweater. The aesthetic will reflect both Alois Ficek's signature style — loose silhouettes, quality materials and playful details — and Karpiskova's own taste, as a recognisable face of her own food projects.

“The whole collection is built around things I'd actually wear to work myself,” the entrepreneur explains, adding that she prefers loose clothing that's comfortable at the bistro, at the playground and at dinner alike. The colour palette will echo the bistro's interior — pastel tones with a minimalist cut and unexpected playful details.

As in his other collections, Trakal will use deadstock materials — leftover fabric that never made it into production. That, together with a craft-based approach and original illustrations, is a defining feature of his brand, named after the designer's great-grandfather.

The collection will be released in a limited run. The most accessible item will be the heavy-cotton T-shirt, the most expensive a dress or jacket. According to Karpiskova, prices won't exceed ten thousand crowns, and some pieces can be custom-ordered to measure.

This isn't Karpiskova's first venture beyond food — previously, as the author of a popular recipe book, she successfully sold her own aprons and admits she collects them. For Trakal, collaborating with food projects is already familiar territory: he has worked with Bystre Karel, Solo Bakers and Prague's Sandwich Rodeo, and also designs pieces for the sock brand Ferdinand.