From the history of art to a fashion salon in Vinohrady ****************************************************************************************** * ****************************************************************************************** ****************************************************************************************** * "School is important, it forms people. You only must be open and perceive it." ****************************************************************************************** *========================================================================================= * Hana Noble is interviewed by Marie Opatrná *========================================================================================= Hana Noble studied the history of Christian art at Catholic Theological Faculty of Charles she runs her own Lazy Eye fashion salon in Prague in Vinohrady specialising in American re the 1950s. Were you focused on the 20th century American culture already during your studies or were other topics? In my bachelor work I dealt with the 1990s art in the Czech Republic, in particular the wo David Černý and Milena Dopitová. After completing my bachelor studies at Catholic and Theo of Charles University I went to Ústí and Labem to study curatorship. There I studied Ameri to present. I was interested in the 1950s, but it was not my main specialisation At our faculty, you studied the first year of a new field of study – the history of art. Y the beginnings of the Institute of Christian Art History at Catholic Theological Faculty o University. You attended lectures of big personalities in the field about whom the current hear or whose books they read. Who do you remember most? Perhaps professor Royt, who still works at the faculty. And of course docent Med, he had a charming his red sweater. Doctor Slezák was also excellent. I even took my dog to his lect In various interviews you mention that you started your business after your internships in York where you had found your first retro dress. I would like to ask about those internshi do them and how did you feel there? When I went to Catholic Theological Faculty of Charles University, it was not possible to internship. It was only possible to go to Dresden and to Vienna. Naturally, it was only fo speak German. And I couldn’t. I managed to arrange my internship only later when I studied a friend of mine I got a contact to a gallery in London and I signed an agreement with the I could go there. I worked directly in the gallery, there were more interns like me and ea in charge of something else. But I think that more beneficial than working in a cultural i living in the city, going to exhibitions etc. I arranged the second internship completely by myself. And I also paid for it by myself. I Czech Center and agreed my internship with them. I could only stay for three months but be I went to exhibitions, libraries etc. Both were the most valuable experience for me, I got going abroad. I think all students should do similar internships, not only because of the can gain new experience and see how it works somewhere else. Recently I read in the web portal Artalk.cz an article about an exhibition of the Academy graduates. The author of the article which was called “The Best and the Rest” was contempl idea whether it is right to follow only the successful graduates of Academy of Fine Arts a “unsuccessful” ones. Most graduates actually use their qualification and artistic thinking professions and activities. I believe that in the field of history of art it is similar. Only a few graduates become art historians and some work in protection of cultural heritag them use their knowledge and skills in other professions. In my opinion, however, their st in vain, studying history of art changes you in a certain way and influences your view of see it in the same way? I must say that I often think about it. I am glad that I decided to study art history. Fir secondary art school – stage design. Then I wanted to study UMPRUM or a similar school. Bu to Catholic Theological Faculty of Charles University. There I found a great bunch of peop my schoolmates but also people I knew from the secondary school who worked in artistic mil know many other people from this area, interesting projects and galleries. For example peo with A. M. 180 Gallery, which influenced me significantly. I think that you should not han you will not become an art historian or curator. Such a job can only be done by a person w from God. And I was aware of the fact it was not me. So I chose a different path. But the important because it forms you. You only have to be open and perceive it. Not to beat your brick wall when it is not possible to go that way. At such a moment it is necessary to fin draw experience from it. I got a lot from school and I like to remember my school life. In the point of view of nowadays, you are a young and successful entrepreneur, mother of t know many famous people who wear your clothes. On the other hand, you also give your time several foundations. I would like to ask you about your attitude, how you connect your bus non-profit sphere and with your intention to help. I can say it was a coincidence and it started thanks to retro dresses. Moreover, I called after my eye defect. So it seemed appropriate to me to start helping others as well. Moreo is visited by many people with a handicap. The other day, a lady with an oxygen mask came people themselves tell me they feel very comfortable there. It makes me happy. So I starte we should not only talk about disabled people and their problem but also help them and mot example, we connected with the Pink Bubble organisation supporting people under 30 who suf from cancer. Together we prepared a fashion show for Karlín ball where our dresses will be clients of this organisation together with actresses and models. I like to help these peop them and support them. We want to continue this cooperation in future as well. We want to lost their hair. Encourage them. I also intend to support the foundation financially, with from my earnings. Together with other designers we are also planning to make fashionable a specially for these women. I must ask an obligatory question, because if a theologist have read the interview to this be wondering. Is there a family connection with the theologists Timothy and Ivana Noble or coincidence? My husband is a foreigner. When I got married, we searched whether some other people with lived in the Czech Republic. We found this couple. So, we know about them, but we are not have never met. I’ve read that you do not sew but you choose fabric yourself. Where did you learn it, this taught at Catholic Theological Faculty of Charles University or in Ústí? I can’t even sew on a button (laughter). But that’s not the point. It depends how you are it (laughter). First my Mum sewed for me, now I have a team of dressmakers. I only provide patters and put it all together. But without my team, it would be impossible. The experien have gained from life. And I am still learning, what to choose and how to work with it. Ma sew one day (laughter). The text was first published in DOXA vol. 4, no. 2, May 2018 [ URL "https://www.ktf.cuni.c version1-doxa_02_2018.pdf"] , pp. 17 - 18.