Dr. Elisabeth Längle and doc. Liběna Rochová initiated a new project of the Fashion and Footwear Design Program of Prague’s Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design (UMPRUM). Entitled Recycling Fashion Icons, the assignment consists of redesigning distinctive prêt-à-porter items from Längle’s own extensive collection into a new brand collection. Donated garments include dresses by Jean Paul Gaultier, Helmut Lang, Donna Karan, YSL and others.

The Academy’s students chose the brands and put themselves in the role of a newly appointed creative director redesigning the collection and creating three outfits and one accessory, all capturing the identity of the brand and moving it forward in a desired way. Bringing new ideas and imprinting the brand with one’s own creativity is seen as a crucial mission of the project.

"Seizing the DNA of iconic brands, respecting their nature and elevating them with a new creative aspect" is how designer Liběna Rochová describes the concept. Liběna Rochová has been working in the field for many years, often representing Czech fashion design abroad (exhibitions and shows in Vienna, Paris, Lyon, New York, Dusseldorf and Los Angeles). Her experience and skills allow her to design film, theatre and stage costumes, tailor-made works of art, gowns for singer performances as well as everyday clothing, prêt-a-porter collections and her own collections of unique models, the most prestigious discipline for each fashion designer. Her work is inspired by individual and fine art and is more open to art than to strictly fashion design forms, which again she confirmed by cooperation with the Czech choreographer and dancer Dusan Týnka, who operates the Dance Theater in New York. The original choreography of the fashion show, carried out by professional dancers Týnkova ensemble, was so imaginative that all 150 visitors broke out in enthusiastic expressions of admiration.