WEAVING AT TRADICE

Weaving at Tradice is represented by the exceptional work of Mr. Fidler from Hlinsko, Mrs. Buchtelová from Malá Vrbka, and Mr. Kubák from Strmilov. In our 2023 collection, you will find lightweight scarves made of cotton, linen, and silk, as well as warmer wool versions, wool jackets tailored from hand-woven fabrics, and decorative woven patterns on our belts. Behind every single one of these products stands a person with a great heart for their craft and a production tradition spanning more than a century.

JOSEF FIDLER – Scarves of Cotton, Linen, and Viscose Silk

We have been collaborating with Mr. Fidler since 2016. For Tradice, he weaves scarves and shawls on hand looms built by Mr. Kubák of Strmilov. Mr. Fidler has three looms, each with its own name, and his relationship with his cottage is just as personal. It is part of the original historic settlement called Betlém (Bethlehem) in the heart of Hlinsko—a town deeply intertwined with the history of weaving. It is said that in Hlinsko, you couldn't throw a stone without hitting a weaver; locals still remember the rhythmic thumping of looms echoing throughout the area.

However, the craft suffered a massive decline, to the point where the traditional technique known as chenille (žynylka) was completely forgotten. No one knew how to make it anymore. It was Mr. Fidler who brought the 'weaving pulse' back to the little blue cottage. He returned the looms to their rightful place and rediscovered the lost secret of chenille. He calls it the 'crown jewel' of Czech textiles. Crafting a chenille plaid is a masterfully complex task; it took him years of trial and error to reconstruct the process because the know-how had vanished. There is a witty and suspenseful story behind this journey, but no one can tell it quite like Mr. Fidler himself. Even though I’ve heard his 'adventure' several times, I always wait in anticipation for the climax. You truly must visit Betlém one day to hear it for yourself.

For our brand, Mr. Fidler produces scarves in natural tones of cotton, linen, and viscose silk, as well as vibrant colored scarves. For the natural collection, he designed a specific weave that beautifully highlights the precision of the hand-loomed texture. He ties the fringes by hand. I especially love the tiny, subtle slubs of linen visible in the fabric—small greyish bundles that give the scarf its character.

This year, I requested colored scarves in shades of red and blue to complement our fabrics and the nature outside our windows. Mr. Fidler surprised me with deep crimson and midnight blue designs, framed by a delicate check pattern. They feel wonderfully traditional, reminiscent of the 'vlňák' shawls worn with folk costumes in my home region of Podluží.

Mr. Fidler holds the official title of Bearer of the Tradition of Folk Craft. In 2017, his chenille production technique was officially added to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Czech Republic.

HANA BUCHTELOVÁ – Belts with "Činovať" Weaving

Mrs. Buchtelová and Mr. Urban are the only master weavers in our country dedicated to the rare technique known as Činovať (or Horňácko Činovať). They live in the village of Malá Vrbka in the Horňácko region, a unique ethnographic subregion of Moravia. Both Hana Buchtelová and Mr. Urban hold the prestigious title of Bearer of the Tradition of Folk Craft. Činovať is a globally unique type of traditional folk fabric, officially listed as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the South Moravian Region.

Historically, Činovať adorned both folk costumes and household textiles like bed linens and tablecloths. It is said that even King Charles IV had Činovať on his table. In the past, the beauty and number of these woven pillows in a bride’s dowry were a symbol of her wealth; they were proudly displayed on a wagon for all to see as she moved to her new home.

The aesthetics of traditional Činovať patterns are unmistakable, typically arranged in striking stripes. The most common colors are vibrant red, or a combination of red and black on a cream (off-white) background, often accented with yellow.

We began our collaboration with Mrs. Buchtelová in 2022. She weaves on a loom that is over 200 years old, inherited from her grandfather, who reportedly brought it back from America. Although she studied landscape architecture, she eventually returned to the craft she watched her grandfather practice since her childhood.

At Tradice, our dresses and skirts are often accompanied by belts to define the silhouette. These are very popular with our clients because, much like the wrap-around folk skirts of the past, they adapt beautifully to a woman’s changing figure over time. We incorporate Mrs. Buchtelová’s woven panels into these belts, usually sewn from our signature solid-color fabrics. These pieces are so coveted that our first collection sold out almost instantly. Today, you can find them at all our retailers across the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

WOOL BY FILIP KUBÁK – Shawls, Vests, and Jackets

At the Kubák family workshop in Strmilov, wool is the heart of everything. The craft is led by Zdeněk Kubák, a designated Bearer of Tradition, and his son Filip. Filip oversees the entire journey of the material: he personally visits the farmers during shearing, ensures the wool is properly washed, and manages the dyeing process in a nearby facility. Only then does the yarn return to their workshop to be woven into the final fabric.

The Kubák family has been weaving since 1870, with the craft passed down from father to son, though the history of weaving in Strmilov can be traced as far back as 1654. Today, they still work on looms from the 1930s—machines that are remarkably beautiful, allowing you to observe the entire mechanical dance of production.

New to our collection is the 'Vlňák'—a traditional large wool shawl. Historically, women of all ages in the countryside wore these instead of coats, which were often a luxury they couldn't afford. In the Slovácko region, you can still see grandmothers wearing them today. The 'Vlňák' is a large square, typically worn folded into a triangle. While the classic pattern is a bold check, our version features a subtle indigo check in just one corner, set against a neutral, natural beige base.

Its versatility makes it a staple for a modern wardrobe; it can replace a poncho, a cardigan, or a light jacket. It even serves as a cozy throw or a blanket to wrap around yourself and your children.

We have also introduced tailored jackets and vests made from herringbone wool, woven specifically for us in two shades: a cool light beige and a warm darker beige. The herringbone pattern is timelessly elegant. In the darker variant, the pattern stands out through a blend of three yarn shades, while the lighter version reveals its texture only under certain angles of light. Thanks to these historic machines and generations of family expertise, these products are entirely unique. With proper care, they will serve you for decades, just as the original pieces still serve their owners today.