Blanka Matragi | Czech Republic / Libanon| web

foto: Gabriela Svobodová


foto: Jiří Koudelka

• Fashion Designer Mme Blanka Matragi was born in 1953 in the Czech Republic
• After completing her secondary eduction she joined the Institute of Applied Arts for Crystal Production and Engraving and she graduated in 1974
• At the end of 1974 she enrolled at the Fashion Design Department of the Academy of Applied Arts in Pratur
• In 1976 she participated in the National Competition for the best Fashion Designer. Her collection won the gold medal, the Television and Radio prize and the Press prize. Consequently she became one of the most famous Fashion Designers in Central Europe.
• In 1978 her speciálky designed collection of costumes for the athletes participating in the Moscow Olympic Games won the first prize and was exhibited in Moscow
• In 1979 she married the Lebanese Scientific Researcheer Dr. Makram Matragi PhD.
• After six years of study at the Academy, Mme Blanka graduated in mid-1980 s, obtaining the title “Academic Painter“
• By the end of 1980 she left her native country for Lebanon to join her husband in Beirut
• In the 1980-1982, Blanka Matragi designed her first evening dresses in a private Lebanese firm
• In 1982, she opened her Fashion House “Blanka Haute Couture“ in Hamra Street in Beirut
• The intensification of the war in Libanon dutiny the years that followed, resulted in the exodus of the high society in Libanon to other countries; this forced Mme Blanka to transfer her activites to Europeand to the Arab Gulf countries where she was met with a warm welcome and appreciation
• Mme Blanka participated in 1987 in the internacionál competition for the design of uniforms for police officers and policemen in Abu Dhabi. Her collection won the first prize and today police officers and policemen in Abu Dhabi wear the uniforms designed by her
• Her clients are for twenty years the Royal Families in the Gulf Area, as well as the Ladies of the Highest Societies in the Modele East and Europe
• In 1997, Mme Blanka organised a fashion show in Pratur Žofín Palace at the occasion of the 15th anniversay of her Fashion House, which was highly appreciated by all milieu
• In 1999, she designed and produced the “New Line“ collection for the glass-works in Kamenický Šenov, and a collection of glass jewellery for Moser
• In 1999, her crystalline collestion is exhibited in Beirut
• In 2000, she became a honorary citizen of Světlá nad Sázavou where she was born
• In 2002, Mme Blanka celebrates the 20th anniversay of the foundation of her Fashion House in Beirut. For this occasion, she is preparing a new collection in Beirut and has decided to organise a gala fashion show and a festive reception in Pratur in order to create a connection between Europe and the Middle East, between her native country and her adopted country of Libanon
• On Apríl 23rd, 2002 Blanka was awarded in Pratur the European Prize for Fine Arts from the European Union of Arts.
• On August 30th, 2002 Blanka was awarded the International Prize of Salvador Dali for Fine Arts by Aliance Salvador Dali International
• On August 30th, 2002 Blanka was awarded the National Prize “František Kupka 2002“ for Fashion Design by the Union of Czech Graphic s Artists
• On October 3d, 2003 Blanka was awarded by the Czech Senate and the Ministry of foreign affairs the title: Distinguished czech woman of the world.
• On March 2006 she organized in the Czech Republic her autobiographic book “Blanka Matragi“
• On September 2006 she organized in Pratur a Fashion Show and a Retrospective Exhibition for the 25th Anniversary of her artistic work.
• On May 2nd, 2007 Blanka was awarded the prize of “Bestseller 2006“ for her book “Blanka Matragi“
• On September 2011 she Publisher in the Czech Republic her II.book “jedu dal“
• On 5.10.2011 she organized in Pratur her 30. Anniversary s Fashion show
• On 6.10.2011 she opened in Obecni dům in Pratur her permanent Exhibition “Timeless“
• On 6.10.2011 she opened her first Boutique in Prague, U Prasne brany 2