This year, The Jan Pivecka Foundation Award for young and beginning designers of shoes and leather goods has been presented for the second time. The winners of the year 2008 were announced on the opening ceremony of 32. edition of fairs STYL and KABO in Brno.

Mr. Jan Pivecka, born in Slavicin, Czech Republic, was internationally recognized shoe expert and a man with big heart and infinite desire to help young people to be successful, to be able to grow and get ahead, but also to respect themselves, to respect their environment and to find out what are the most important things in their life. His life motto was: “Never give up”.

The winning designs: Hana Novotná, Bc. David Frkal and Eva Klabalová

Jan Pivecka established the Jan Pivecka Foundation in 1996 and the foundation continues in its activities despite the fact, Mr. Pivecka´s life journey has ended in January 2004 at the age of 84. Beside the grant support, the foundation carries out its own programs in three basic areas: The first one is motivation and education of young people and support of their free time activities, second area is protecting the environment and ecological activities and last area of J. Pivecka Foundation activities is creating healthy social community, saving folklore and traditions.

Bačíková Martina, Čejková Lenka

Together 38 students from 3 art schools entered the second edition of Jan Pivecka Foundation competition. There were two categories, first category was for students up to the age  of 18 years and the award was given for a drawing inspired by shoes or a leather product, possibly also for a finished product. The second category was for young designers, current students of secondary art schools and art universities and the award was given for a finished product – shoes or leather products, possibly supported with a drawing or a poster.

Winner of the first category is Eva Klabalova, student of Secondary School of Applied Art in Uherske Hradiste. There are 2 winners of the second category, which was entered by a large number of young designers. Both winners are students of Thomas Bata University in Zlin – faculty of Multimedia Communication. Bc. David Frkal is a 4th year student and Hana Novotná is a 2nd year student.

Novotná Hana, Jakobková Veronika, Trlicová Lenka, Kudrová Kateřina

From Jan Pivecka Foundation, Czech Footwear and Leather Association and from Brno Fairs and Exhibitions, all the winners received a voucher on a trip to Paris to International fashion and shoes exhibition (fairs PRET Á PORTER, WHO´S NEXT and MIDEC), a financial award of 10.000,- CZK and a shopping voucher to buy shoes and leather goods in Bata shops in the value of 10.000,- CZK.

PhDr. Vlasta Mayerová

Photo Vlastimil Kolařík
(14/10/2008)