A former architect, now the creator of the brand Přešij mě něžně, who is not afraid of colors, opinions or deep dives. In an interview, she openly talks about her inner feelings, the joy of creation and why upcycling is more than just sewing for her and why fashion is not just a style, but also an attitude.
What brought you from architecture to upcycling and sewing?
Motherhood. On parental leave, I felt the need to create and painting simply didn't interest me anymore. We've always had a sewing machine at home. Both of my grandmothers sewed, one of them even professionally. My mother sewed too and now, when she's almost eighty, she's back to it. It's a great workout for the brain and soul.
But I was clear about the materials – new fabrics don’t inspire me in any way. Not just because of their look or feel, but also because they don’t awaken anything in me. Maybe it’s because I’m a frugal and minimalist soul – probably because of my dad, who was a monk-architect. Luckily, my sister and mom balance it out a bit.
But finished things are a different story. They are like a sketched landscape that you can dive into and get lost in (I deliberately seek out that feeling of getting lost). The feeling when your head turns off and you just are. It is a spiritual activity. Deep dives, today it is called flow.
What does it mean to you to work with materials that already had their own story?
I love Marcel Duchamp and the whole ready-mades movement. I find it incredibly adventurous to use ready-made things and reshape them. You never know what will come out of it. Working with materials that have already experienced something is more than just a way of creating for me. It is my philosophy of life. Sustainability gives me meaning and joy.
Overall, I'm somewhere between art, DIY and chance, and that's where I feel most comfortable. I need to try new things, combinations, compositions... because I get bored really quickly (which is completely against Zen, I know). But it's this searching, this reshaping, that's my flow.
Do you have any specific criteria for choosing the clothes or fabrics you use?
I definitely avoid plastic and polyester. I really hate those artificial sports materials, ugh! But denim, that's my endless love. I don't know why, but whenever I come across it, I just take it. There's something raw and true about it. I mainly choose preserved materials. For example, I'm really into hair now, even though they're mostly made of PVC, I try to find older pieces that don't shed hair anymore. But I'm always simply drawn to fabrics that have already had something to do with it.
You talk about people not wearing colors. Why do you think that is the case and why are they so important to you?
I don't know why so many people are afraid of them. But when you look around, it's crazy boring. A lot of people are conservative and afraid. The main thing is that no one thinks anything of them. So what? Who cares? I think they lack imagination. They only deal with mundane things and it never occurs to them to stand out from the crowd. It's actually a political issue. Fashion is an attitude and we wear uniforms – Zara, H&M, corporate style…
When I lived in Shanghai, I really enjoyed how bold and uninhibited the women there could be. They are completely crazy – in the best sense of the word! They have a sense of humor and don't take themselves too seriously. And that's exactly what I'm looking for – lightness, playfulness, exaggeration. I don't want to be "too much design", I prefer to be outside the mainstream. I'm not an Elle woman and I'm actually glad for that.
Where would you like to move next? Do you have a project that is currently maturing in your head?
Yes, I want to do a performance exhibition, I'll see where it takes me, but most importantly, I want to feel free and honest with myself. Authentic.
What would you recommend to someone who wants to start creating sustainably but doesn't know how?
That's a great question. I would recommend starting to look for ways to avoid buying new things and apply it to your entire lifestyle. Swap, go to junkyards, shop at flea markets, thrift stores, or flea markets. Look at older things and try to fix them or give them a new meaning. For example, you can repaint a painting from a flea market and give it a second life. But start with small, simple projects so that you don't get discouraged right away. And most importantly, don't get overwhelmed by Instagram and social media in general. There is often just "pomaded beauty" that you don't need to see or follow at all.
What do you think is the biggest cliché or misconception people have about sustainable fashion?
I think that sustainable fashion is expensive is one of the biggest clichés. Similar to the myth that healthy food has to cost a fortune. Sustainability in fashion doesn't mean buying expensive pieces made of organic cotton, but wearing things repeatedly and for a long time. Maybe thirty times or more. Imagine that there is already enough clothing in the world to last six more generations. Where do you think it will all go?
Why did you apply to the Craft Accelerator?
I signed up on a friend's recommendation and to be honest I was very skeptical because I had already completed a similar program and didn't have high expectations. But today I am so grateful that I went for it. I learned a lot of new things and moved incredibly forward.
What did you bring to the program – what challenges did you solve?
I entered the program at a time when I was more immersed in upcycling, moving away from new knits and washable papers and finding my own path. Upcycling is not an easy discipline.
You really have to know how to sew, and I learned that for eight years, and I'll probably continue to do so until I die. But having a plan in life, something I want to do for the rest of my days, that's important. And I want to create. Live by the woods and create.
But at the same time, I still fight my demons. Those silent saboteurs in my head who say that what I'm doing is useless. That someone else has already done it. That I should do something that makes "more sense" for society. But what is that? Sitting in an office and designing houses from new materials? Who benefits in the end? Those who profit from it and can then fly into space, for example.
After all, did you know that the biggest polluters on the planet are the richest? Nothing against making money, but the key question is what you do with it. That's the most important thing, in my opinion.
What has participation in the accelerator brought you so far - personally and professionally?
I definitely got younger, refreshed, and gained self-confidence in my weirdness. I met a lot of great and inspiring people. Thanks to Terce Pinďáková, I learned how to present myself better on social media, Markéta U. helped me organize my business, and with Luďek Š. I became clear about where I wanted to go next. We talked a lot about mindset. About the fact that we set a lot of limits for ourselves, and often completely unnecessarily. I'm not saying that everything is possible. It's not. I'm not naive. But enough is possible. And that "enough" is enough for a satisfied life.
What new things have you introduced thanks to the program - whether in products, communication, or brand operations?
I changed my brand – from Omform to Sew me over gently (vendulabenes.cz). It was a big step, especially within myself. Throwing away old blocks is a chore, but I owe a lot to myself and the people around me. In order for something new to be born, one must first make room. And that's exactly what Luděk taught me. I still remember our conversations about the workday, morale, and discipline, and I return to them when I need to be reminded of why I do all this.
Discipline is not a chain, but a key to freedom. When a person has it, life is easier. Things go more smoothly. And maybe that's why we are here - to rejoice, to spread love, to be kind and generous to each other.
You can find more about the project at www.vendulabenes.cz
Instagram: _vendulabenes_
About the acceleration program
Craft accelerator is our support program for all those who have decided to turn their passion into a meaningful journey. For creators and artisans who want to grow, advance their business, or just start one.
Over the course of several months, participants will immerse themselves in the world of business, marketing, finance, and law. They will receive workshops, one-on-one consultations, and mentoring to help them avoid dead ends and learn from the experiences of those who have already walked a similar path.
The program also includes practical topics such as pricing or presentation skills, but most importantly - a safe and motivating environment where self-confidence, new collaborations and friendships are born.
The entire program is also thanks to the generous support of city of Ostrava free for all participants.
