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The Talent Lab competition, organised by Vogue CS and the fashion brand Medicine, opens the door for young creators to build distinctive visual worlds and translate them into original graphic designs for clothing prints. This year's theme, "Create Your Own World", attracted dozens of entrants, and the jury noted an exceptionally high standard of submissions. Among the six selected winners was Anna Reichmannová, a Fashion Design student at Sutnar Faculty (under the supervision of Pavel Ivančic and Ivana Ostřanská). Her design draws on bold colour, playfulness, and an imaginative take on natural structures, revealing a strong personal voice and a keen sense of how to translate a concept into textile design. In an interview with INFO.zcu, she discusses her creative approach and experience with this prestigious competition.

Anna, congratulations on your success in the Talent Lab competition! How did you come to take part?

I signed up on my own initiative - the competition caught my eye on social media. Then I forgot about it for a while and only submitted my entry on the last day before the deadline. Lucky I did! (laughs)

Did your studies at the Sutnar Faculty help you in any concrete way when working on this project?

Since I was already planning to focus on digital print for clothing in my thesis project, the timing worked out well. While working on my thesis, I had been experimenting with various designs, so I drew on that experience for my competition entry. My studies gave me a solid foundation in working with graphic editors and thinking about colour composition and visual design in general.

Do you have the opportunity to get involved in real competitions and projects during your studies at the studio?

Yes, we do. In my experience, though, it depends more on the students' own initiative than on prompts from above - although the studio leadership does send us competitions, particularly in footwear and accessories design. Last year, for example, I had the chance to present my garment at Prague Fashion Week as part of the Mattoni Young Fashion Stars competition, so yes, the opportunities are definitely there.

How did you approach the brief? What does your colour composition represent?

I interpreted the theme "Create Your Own World" as an expression of the world in all its colour, fluidity, playfulness and diversity. I chose bold, unconventional colours that, to me, symbolise energy, changeability and the many different ways people see reality. I also drew inspiration from the organic structures of nature - not depicted realistically, but in an imaginative form that allows for multiple associations, so that each person can create their own visual world based on what they feel and how they experience reality.

What motivated you to enter this quite prestigious competition?

My main motivation was seeing it as a great opportunity to get my work out there and show it to a wider audience. At the same time, it's a valuable experience that could open up further possibilities for me in the future. Honestly, I find myself asking the opposite question — why wouldn't someone who loves art enter and give it a try? There are so many reasons to do it. It's a chance to be part of something you're passionate about, to keep growing, and to gain experience in an environment that inspires you.

Are there any further opportunities arising from the competition, such as a collaboration with Medicine?

What I value most is the chance to be featured in an issue of Vogue CS, as I see that platform as a real milestone and a significant space for showcasing creative work. On top of that, Medicine will select designs from the six winners to include in its 2027 collection. Maybe using the motif as a print, pattern, or graphic element on garments, accessories, or other products. If a design is chosen, the creator will be credited in the product description and will also be part of the marketing and communications campaign for the entire collection, which is set to launch and go on sale.