5 Great New Ways to Shop in Prague

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Two to three times a month La Gallery Novesta hosts a Fashion Shake, where designers from around the Czech Republic and Slovakia are invited to the store to share their inspiration for their latest collection (think of it like a press conference that is open to the public.) Check out the latest fit and flair dresses from Czech-born, Parisian based designer Katerina Geislerova or jewellery designer Hanus Lamr’s veritable works of art using gold, silver and accents from Czech nature. All of their upcoming events can be found on their frequently updated Facebook page.

Kurator, a small space located off busy Karoliny Světlé, was one of the first stores to bring the trunk show concept to Prague. This newly opened space uses such precision in their merchandising that moving from the rack, to the fitting room, to the register is a little too easy. The concept behind Kurator is simple enough to follow. Owner Martina Mala, part of the design duo behind the Belka label, is the acting docent of the store, which mixes new Czech labels like Petra Ptáčková with more established ones like Zuzana Vesela and Zorya and adds flare with designers from abroad like Anne Willi or Maison Charoussas. The “exhibitions” are hung in the store from anywhere between a month to two months before being changed out with each one being launched with an “opening”.

Of course when it comes to trunk shows one doesn’t immediately think of second-hand shopping but Jane Bond Special, of the fascinator fame, has opened a store in Vinohrady that finally does second-hand shopping right by combining the best of vintage and second-hand clothing and mixing it with new trend-driven pieces and accessories. Not only can you see the latest in store, with a personal explanation from the designer herself, but you can also check her Facebook page daily to view the latest in-store inspiration, new arrivals, sales, and events.

Code:Mode was clearly the catalyst that started it all and thanks to this one festival Prague has been washed over with more than its fair share of shopping brouhaha. Besides the staple favourites like Dyzajn Márketand Holešovice Market, there is Grace’n’Glamour which holds two festivals per year with the next one taking place on November 30. Grace’n’Glamour caters more to the woman who is drawn to A-line dresses, wide-brimmed hats, and button downs with ruffled collars than the street wear attire that seems to be prevalent throughout other Czech design festivals. You will have to wait til this spring (March 27) for the next night shopping with Prague Fashion Night Out which will be teaming up with Harper’s Bazaar for an evening of fashion fun. Can’t wait to get your fashion fix? Check out the 8th annual Harper’s Bazaar charity event, on Thursday, November 21 from 16-18:00 at DSC Projekt Space on Wenceslas Square. The event benefits local charities Enticelle, Dobreho Andela and Kapku Nadeje and features bags, clothes and accessories at sample-sale prices.

The one idea that has truly taken hold by both old and new retailers is that of the pop-up. The idea really sprung onto the scene in 2010/2011 thanks to the Minty Concept Store which blended Czech labels, Los Angeles jewellers, bloggers, fashion journalists, and international magazines like cult favourite Purple with coolness and panache. Minty has since come and gone replaced by a bevvy of shopping choices which fluctuate between pop-up’s and the non-boutique boutique.

Once a pop-up, Boho has since become a permanent store in Vršovice with events and themes parties occurring weekly and additional pop-ups like a restaurant, bicycle event, as well as dj sets and champagne. Think of it as a massive block party in one of the coolest up-and-coming districts in Prague.

Molo7 a newly launched e-tailer with big dreams of introducing the mass public to something other than mass produced clothing, focuses on original and progressive fashion labels. While the website is only in Czech, it is pretty user friendly based more on pictures making navigation easy. Zoot.cz even offers designs from Happy Socks, Juicy Couture, Desigual, and Melissa plus an array of other trend brands offers free pick-up (and try on) from Hlavni Nadrazi, plus they always have solid sales for those shoppers looking for a good deal.