The house of fashion was once synonymous with luxury

Prague – The House of Fashion on Wenceslas Square, opened with great fanfare and a crowd presence 70 years ago, on July 8, 1956, is built in the spirit of timeless architecture of sober modernism. For its time, it was a very high-quality neo-functionalist realization that overshadowed the style of socialist architecture. Thanks to the wide range of fashionable goods from leading companies, it quickly became synonymous with luxury fashion.

After the opening of the building, aside from shops selling fabrics, rolls, as well as woolen clothing, luxurious garments were available: dresses, suits, formal attire, ball gowns, and various accessories for women, and for men, primarily well-fitting suits, shirts, and ties. Special editions of shoes began to appear, custom-made at the former Baťa production facility in Zlín, as well as Czech costume jewelry, primarily from Jablonec. New collections were quickly snatched up by affluent clientele, mainly the wives of contemporary politicians and influential communists. Lavish banquets associated with the presentation of new collections were also organized here, by invitation only.

The previous building on the parcel where the current construction stands also served a commercial purpose. Once there stood a house called U Kominíků, or also U Nigrinů. At the end of the nineteenth century, a café frequented by famous personalities operated in its premises. However, by the beginning of the twentieth century, the significantly remodeled building was no longer suitable, and so it was demolished. In its place, a representative apartment building in the Art Nouveau style was constructed between 1913 and 1914. Its ground floor was designated for commercial functions, while the upper floor was claimed by a café that lasted until the end of the 1920s. During the Prague uprising, the building was bombed during a German raid and only a shell remained.

It was then decided to build a new house, designed by architect Josef Hrubý, the author of the main department store of the Brouk and Babka chain on Poříčí – the White Swan, and later also of the Laterna Magika in the Adria Palace. The House of Fashion was built between 1954 and 1956. Its architectural design was exceptional even at the time of its creation. Architect Hrubý took advantage of a slight social relaxation to free himself from the dictates of socialist realism and returned to the heritage of interwar architectural avant-garde. He created a neoclassical building with elements of functionalism. The harmoniously balanced whole already stood out at its time due to its advanced technical equipment. The façade of the building is complemented by a sculpture by artist Vladimír Janoušek featuring textile motifs. The building has been protected as a historical monument since December 1992.

On the ground floor of the building, there is currently, for example, the American fast-food chain Popeyes. Various shops and offices occupy the other floors.