Fashion from the Czech-Slovak Ball: From Fairy-Tale Gowns to Fashion Missteps That Hurt the Eyes
Elegance, national pride, and peak social etiquette came together last weekend at the Prague Municipal House, where the prestigious Czech-Slovak Ball took place. The celebratory evening offered a showcase of the finest taste, featuring grand gowns from leading local designers and classic tuxedo minimalism. Join us to see what modern Central European nobility looks like and who didn't quite manage it this time.
Móda proti proudu
Názor PROTI PROUDU: Denisa Zajíčková
Eva Perkausová as the Embodiment of Luxury
Presenter Eva Perkausová opted for a classic black look this time, which is anything but boring. At a social event, she shone in a long evening gown with a transparent, richly decorated bodice that serves as the dominant element of the entire model. The delicate mesh with embroidery and sequins creates the effect of a luxurious corset, beautifully highlighting the figure and adding flair and a slight touch of provocation to the dress. The gown for Eva was designed by the talented designer Zuzana Lešák Černá.
The bottom part of the dress, on the other hand, is smooth, flowing, and elegant, so the overall look doesn’t seem cheap but very balanced and noble. Eva thus confirmed once again that she knows where the line between sexy and tasteful is, and she walks it with absolute confidence. She left her hair loose, slightly wavy, and voluminous, which is a sure choice that works perfectly with evening dresses. The makeup is fresh, natural, with an emphasis on the eyes and softly pink lips, nothing unnecessarily overshadows the striking outfit. The accessories are kept understated; the clutch is modest, the jewelry is not distracting and allows the dress itself to shine. Overall, it's a very successful look that would hold up even at much larger social events. The only "criticism" might be that black is a proven and safe choice, but in this case, if something works this well, there’s no reason to experiment. Eva Perkausová thus only confirms that she is among the best-dressed faces in Czech show business. The times when she was criticized for being too provocative are long gone. Today, she perfectly balances on the edge, and we have a lot to learn from her.
Sara Sandeva like a fairy from a fairy tale
Actress Sara Sandeva attracted attention this time in a gown that is delicate, feminine, and at the same time very effective. It was created by her very good friend, designer Hermine Khalaf Pogosyan. She chose long sparkling dresses in a warm brick pink shade, which beautifully highlights her fair complexion and natural elegance. The off-shoulder cut looks romantic and slightly old-fashioned, but definitely not outdated. On the contrary. The dresses gently hug the body, accentuating the silhouette, and thanks to the soft pleating and flowing train, they give the entire look both nobility and flair.
Sara is not an actress who tries to shock at all costs, but a woman who knows exactly what suits her and where her strength lies. She left her hair loose in soft waves, with makeup that is subtle, fresh, and very natural, which works perfectly with more striking dresses. She keeps the accessories grounded, with no unnecessary extravagance, and everything contributes to the overall impression. The result is a harmonious, elegant look that could easily hold its own on an international red carpet. If there is anything to criticize, it might be that the train can be slightly impractical in a busier setting, but from a fashion police perspective, it's more of a plus than a minus. Sara Sandeva exudes confidence, femininity, and a lot of style, confirming that she never puts a foot wrong. One would wonder why her partner Jakub Prachař let her attend the event alone in such a dress. Compliments from colleagues must have been pouring in!
Michaela Badinková in Striking Green
Actress Michaela Badinková demonstrated that elegance doesn't have to be boring or overdone. She attended a social event in a long green dress that immediately catches the eye with its bold color and thoughtful design. The emerald shade is daring, yet in her presentation, it appears very sophisticated and beautifully complements her type and fair skin. The design with exposed shoulders and a crossed bodice adds femininity and nobility to the outfit, while long gloves in the same tone elevate the entire look to a slightly Hollywood glamour style.
The recent breakup with actor Jan Teplý Jr., with whom she has two daughters, has evidently done her well. She looks confident and very feminine. Like a lady who has finally found herself. We can only speculate whether the amazing transformation is due to a new love or if Badinková is simply enjoying her solitude to the fullest. Either way, she really looks great lately, and green was the perfect choice.
Gabriela Lašková and the boldest dress of the evening
There is no room for debate here. Presenter and influencer Gabriela Lašková looks absolutely stunning. The gold-brown sequin dress fits her perfectly and has just the right type of shine—not overly flashy, but naturally festive. The material catches the light with every movement, making the outfit work not only in photos but also in real life. The cut is smart, without unnecessary extravagance, focusing more on silhouette and clean lines.
At first glance, it's clear that Gabriela doesn't aim to shock at any cost but knows well that sometimes one strong outfit is enough to make a statement. Hair styled up, makeup gentle and fresh, everything matches beautifully, and no detail accidentally steals attention. The result is elegant, but not cold, festive, yet still human. Simply a look to remember, leaving you with the thought—this was truly a success. Although she said goodbye to modeling years ago, she clearly still knows her way around the fashion industry. And if she ever decided to pursue a career as a stylist, she would surely find her clients almost instantly.
Hermine Khalaf Pogosyan as an advertisement for style
This is what it looks like when a designer creates the best advertisement. Not only did she dress Sara Sandeva in an outfit that was absolutely perfect, but Hermine Khalaf Pogosyan herself was stunning. She bet on the contrast of black and white, which never fails. And here, this combination is even slightly more interesting. The white dress has a clean, almost sculptural line that exudes calmness and confidence, while the black details in the form of flowers and trimming give the model a slightly dramatic touch.
The upper part with a black throw over the shoulders is daring more in mood than in neckline. It's a fashion statement that compels those present to examine every detail. The dress works beautifully with the figure, not blatantly sexy, but definitely not boring. Hermine knows very well that style doesn't have to shout to be noticed. She left her hair loose, her makeup is gorgeous, and the whole look holds together without unnecessary question marks. The result is elegant, a bit different, and above all, memorable. Exactly the type of outfit with which a woman never goes wrong.
Názor PROTI PROUDU: Anděla Vostrá
Jana Nagyová Lost in Blue
Popular actress Jana Nagyová, forever known as Princess Arabela, struggled a bit on the red carpet this time. The deep blue dress is striking in itself, and the color suits her, but there is simply too much fabric. This is despite her apparent attempt to dress appropriately for her age. The flowing material layers around her figure, twists, and at times seems to have a life of its own. Instead of the outfit carrying the actress, one gets the impression at times that she is more lost in it.
Long sleeves and excess fabric create the impression that the dress was designed more by chance than for a specific silhouette. Nagyová appears dignified and calm, the jewelry and hairstyle are chosen with sensitivity, but the overall look would benefit from more lightness and less volume. The result is not a fashion misstep, but a sadly missed opportunity. The color works great, the cut less so. Arabela deserves to be seen, not to be drowned in layers of fabric.
Andrea Verešová at Her Next Wedding
We can't help it - this is a bride all stitched up. You can see on model Andrea Verešová that white is a safe bet for her, as she wears it often. Here, however, she might have gotten a bit too close to wedding preparations. The corset bodice, long gloves, and a rich skirt with a train together create a memory for many of their own special day, which is quite a pity for such a ball.
The dress itself is crafted with precision and Andrea has the figure to carry off such models, but the overall look is too formal and somewhat overshadows the event itself. Instead of an evening gown, it simply seems like an invitation to a bridal salon. If the train or gloves were missing, the outfit would appear slightly more appropriate for a ball. Whether this was intentional or a reminiscence of her own wedding, only the model knows. Next to her husband, lawyer Daniel Volopich, she looked stunning. But we're used to that with Andrea and expected something more. A white dress is simply a thin ice, and going to a ball dressed as a bride is always a bit of a problem.
In contrast, model Justýna Zedníková wore her white gown perfectly. She looked festive and did not give the impression of a bride. With Andrea, the attempt at precision was simply too much, and in the "battle of the white gowns," Justýna won. The same goes for Andrea Bezděková, who was stunning.
