Karlovy Vary are bustling again. Czech and Slovak celebrities are heading to the spa town and its colonnades to showcase the most striking outfits from their wardrobes on the red carpet. While some have been symbols of elegance for years and are among the best-dressed guests of the festival, others regularly opt for extravagant creations that cause a stir long after the evening ends. Who dominated Karlovy Vary with their outfit in past years? And who, on the other hand, really missed the mark with their fashion choice?
During the time when Adam Mišík (29) was in a relationship with model Natálie Jirásková (21), daughter of TV presenter Iva Kubelková (49), he was one of the most striking men on the red carpet at the Karlovy Vary festival. He wasn't afraid of bold combinations, liked to stand out from the crowd, and often chose outfits that were as extravagant as they were eye-catching. At the festival, he alternated between glittery jackets, leather jackets, bold jewelry, and shirts worn on a bare chest. His style had a distinct signature and was definitely hard to miss.
What he will show up in this year remains to be seen. Jirásková is no longer by his side, and after their breakup, it seems that Mišík is opting for a more modest and mature elegance. Although he still maintains a rock flair and a sense of fashion, extravagant experiments have recently given way to cleaner lines and minimalist outfits. Nevertheless, he is one of the personalities from whom something extra is always expected on the red carpet. Whether he will surprise this year again or remain true to a more restrained style will be revealed only by the first festival evenings.
If there is a celebrity at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival that photographers are waiting for with the greatest anticipation, it is undoubtedly the actress Jitka Čvančarová (48). Her arrival on the red carpet is consistently one of the most watched moments of the evening. Over the years, the actress has built a reputation as a fashion icon who isn't afraid of bold gowns, deep necklines, or daring cuts that highlight feminine curves. However, while some admire her outfits, others consider them unnecessarily provocative. Yet, they leave almost no one indifferent.
It is precisely thanks to her eye-catching outfits that Čvančarová repeatedly ranks among the most talked-about personalities of the festival. Whether she opts for a glittering evening gown, a dramatic train, or bold jewelry, she always ensures that her appearance is discussed long after the festive evening concludes. Whether she will go for daring elegance again this year or surprise fans with a more modest model remains a question. It is quite possible that she will hold back. Recently, tabloids have been speculating about a divorce from her husband, dancer Petr Čadek (47). He was even recently seen in public with another woman. Is this confirmation of a crisis, the end of a great love, or is nothing happening? Who knows. We'll see if Čvančarová will feel like attracting all the attention again this year.
The Karlovy Vary Film Festival has had its icon for many years, and that is undoubtedly the historian and archaeologist Andrea Bartošková (73), widow of the longtime festival president Jiří Bartoška (†78). On the red carpet, she never made a misstep and for many years was an inspiration to women who admired her refined taste and natural elegance.
She never relied on flashy gowns, deep necklines, or extravagant cuts that attract photographers' attention at all costs. Her strength lay in simplicity, quality materials, and perfectly fitting styles that highlighted her grace. Next to Bartoška, she always appeared calm, confident, and humble, which made her one of the most respected ladies at the Karlovy Vary festival. This year, she returns to Karlovy Vary for the second time after her husband's passing. Many expected last year's festival to be sad and full of tears due to Bartoška's passing in May. Although a few tears were shed, the July event turned into a celebration of all that Bartoška had built over the years. It was clear that even after his departure, the festival could thrive. And Bartošková belongs on the red carpet this time as well. It is expected that, as in previous years, she will remain true to her understated elegance, which never needed flashy styles to leave a strong impression. We certainly have much to look forward to once again.
She is sharp, direct, and the same style is reflected in her fashion sense. Writer and law graduate Radka Třeštíková (45), former wife of photographer Tomáš Třeštík (48), has shown several times that she definitely does not follow the crowd. On the red carpet in Karlovy Vary, she is not afraid to experiment and regularly comes with outfits that stir passionate debates. Sometimes she goes for boldly translucent dresses, other times she surprises with a revealing outfit or an unconventional hairstyle. For this reason, she is among celebrities whose arrival photographers and fashion critics eagerly anticipate every year. Her outfits rarely blend in with others. The proof of this was a minimalist black-and-white outfit with a striking silhouette, high turtleneck, and long gloves. It resembled a fashion show more than a classic festival dress code.
It's undeniable that Třeštíková always managed to evoke emotions and ensure that her appearance was talked about long after the festival evening ended. We're already curious if she's planning any crazy surprises this year.
If anyone has the gift of never going wrong on the red carpet, it's actress Jitka Schneiderová (53), known from the series Místo zločinu Zlín. She always appears elegant, very feminine, and never relies on outfits that are superficially cheap or try to shock at any cost. For the Karlovy Vary festival, she regularly chooses models that prove true style doesn't require extravagance. Her gowns are usually minimalist, perfectly tailored, and refined down to the last detail. In previous years, she stood out in ethereal dresses by designer Zuzana Kubíčková and in a minimalist white gown by Chloé with a pleated cape, which was among the best-rated models of the festival. Fashion critics consistently rank her among the fixtures of refined taste and one of the best-dressed Czech actresses.
Schneiderová is proof that on the red carpet, you don't need a deep neckline or extravagant cuts for a woman to stand out. All it takes is a perfectly fitting dress, an eye for detail, and the natural elegance that the actress has maintained for many years. It's no wonder that she always appears among the celebrities whose outfits are rated the best by fashion experts. It's worth noting that her refined taste has also been inherited by her daughter Sofie Anna Švehlíková (20), who is the star of every event.
Even back when Emma Smetana (38) worked as a presenter for Nova TV, there was a part of her that wanted to do things her own way. Perhaps that's why she didn't last long at the commercial station. This same personality trait is evident in her wardrobe choices. On the red carpet, she rarely arrives as a wallflower blending into the crowd. Instead, she consistently chooses outfits that divide both the public and fashion critics into two camps.
Together with her partner Jordan Haj (37), she is part of a duo that isn't afraid to experiment in Vary. In previous years, she made a statement with a combination of an oversized jacket, mini shorts, and a short top that revealed her belly when she attended the premiere of the film Banger. Last year, she caused a stir with a corset body and striking furry boots, which immediately became one of the most talked-about outfits at the premiere of the film Diary of an Alcoholic.
However, Emma never longed to please everyone. She views fashion as a means of self-expression and is not afraid to push boundaries. That is precisely why she is one of the personalities whose appearance on the red carpet is eagerly watched by photographers and fans. With Emma, you never know what might surprise you this time. Her style also reflects her love for France, where she lived with her mother Monika Pajerová and her father, musician Jiří Smetana, from the age of two. They stayed there for four years, and Emma then spent another four years in Strasbourg.
If you are ever looking for inspiration for the most beautiful romantic dresses, you can rely on the wardrobe of actress Jana Plodková (44). On the red carpet in Karlovy Vary, she has been proving for years that elegance doesn't have to be ostentatious. Instead of bold necklines or glittering gowns, she prefers delicate silhouettes, airy materials, and designs that appear almost fairy-tale-like.
Plodková is among the women who maintain a clearly recognizable style. She often chooses pastel shades, minimalist cuts, or romantic dresses complemented by subtle jewelry and natural makeup. It is precisely thanks to this that she is regularly listed among the best-dressed women at the Karlovy Vary festival, and her outfits have earned praise from fashion experts. The actress has never needed to shock to draw attention to herself. She relies on lightness, femininity, and timeless elegance that does not succumb to fashion trends.