JAN CERNY CZECH REPUBLIC

Jan Cerny remembers the precise moment when he realised he wanted to become a designer. “It was at Jakub Polanka’s show during Mercedes-Benz Prague Fashion Weekend 2013,” recalls the talent who is still attending Tomas Bata University in Zlín, a city in Moravia. “Later, I chose to focus on menswear because it felt more natural for me.” Now, he is trying to nd “a balance between the stereotype of a masculine man and the fragility and softness of the soul”. This explains why he isn’t afraid to experiment with colours and patterns, but also with the use of sequins and shiny materials. Jan adds that he likes to take cult pieces – such as trench coats, denim jackets or classic shirts – and give them “fresh meaning and a new function”. “My customers look for items that are exciting and cheeky, but at the same time wearable on a daily basis,” explains this designer whose SS 2018 is inspired by all the time he spent in airports last summer. “I think they are weird, anonymous places where you have almost no privacy: they scan you and everything you have with you,” says Cerny. “Besides that, you have the chance to encounter very strange and diverse people. I attempted to recreate this mix of peculiar characters in my runway.” When asked about emerging designers he would like to work with, Jan concludes by naming the British: “I love their playfulness and fearlessness. For instance, I admire Cottweiler, where I recently finished an internship.” •