CGD

Nastassia Aleinikava perhaps sailed into the world of Czech design inconspicuously, but the more distinct trace she has been leaving behind. Every year, she comes forth with a mature collection continuously developing her unique morphology; she does not stagnate and does not fear experimenting with either forms or subjects. The young designer earned this year's nomination for her jewellery series, Comets, inspired by outer space, as well as the eyewear collection created for the Slovak brand, IOKO. In addition, Aleinikava already succeeded in the Czech Grand Design Awards last year when she reached the highest target and walked off as the Grand Designer of the Year. No wonder, though – hardly any artist active in the Czech Republic today can bear comparison with her eerie, fairy-tale, maybe almost mythical pieces. As early as from her studies in the studio of Eva Eisler, Aleinikava has been faithfully following her line of expression, which does not tend to minimalism or pragmatism but instead stakes on emotions, memories, and imagination. Her "comets" thus can be precise casts of the age-long hair embellishment, which little girls cherish as their most precious sacrament. However, it is at the same time elegant, timeless jewellery that loses nothing of its elegance over time. Exactly this capability to make viewers unsure as to what they actually hold in their hands is Aleinikava's most important asset. She plays when working, intentionally keeping the rules loose, and this is what wins her points. She seems to be more restrained in the eyewear collection designed for the luxurious Bratislava-based IOKO glasses shop. She developed it with her husband, Pavel Kahotski, and the frames from their workshop are literary easy on the eyes, noticeable and majestic at first sight. Their self- conscious silhouettes clearly suggest that the designer is anything but afraid of challenges.

Veronika Pařízková