Beautiful kroje (Czech costumes) were on display at the 2009 Miss Texas Czech Slovak Queen Pageant on April 18, 2009 in Hallettsville, Texas. The new queen is Michelle Jenee Barak. Her Little Czech Sister is Katherine Stuckly. Watch for future blogs for a press release and I hope to have descriptions of the Queens' beautiful kroje. Stay tuned...
Costume description:
Sarah is wearing an authentic-looking reproduction of a kroj representing the Hana region. The costume, designed by Sarah, was made by her mother.
The top white skirt or apron that Sarah is wearing would be worn by a bride or at another festive event. The apron is made of white broadcloth, is hand embroidered and edged by hand. The design is completed with Swarovski crystals.
The skirt is made of yellow fabric. You will notice throughout the kroj the touches of yellow, the color of sunshine, that is common in kroje from this region. Often skirts would be made with fabric on hand. Sarah wears two petticoats that are stiffly starched to create a full skirt.
You will notice that a large handkerchief is worn on Sarah's kroje. The intricate design is hand embroidered and hand edged.
Sarah's blouse features hand embroidery and buttons from the Czech Republic. Blouses can be worn with sleeves stiffly pleated or puffed sleeves as Sarah's costume.The focal point of Sarah's kroj is the vest made of dark red brocade with hand embroidery, gold trim and buttons from the Czech Republic. Vests from the Hana region are commonly short with one closure at the bottom of the vest. Sarah's green belt is made of ribbon from the Czech Republic.
Most notably on kroje from this region is the full, stiff lace collar. Sarah lace collar was created with 13 yards of lace and ribbon from the Czech Republic. The collar is detachable and is completed with red ribbon common to costumes from Hana.
The embroidery designs on Sarah's costume are authentic Czecho-Slovakian designs from a book Sarah's mother found entitled Czecho-Slovakian Embroideries. Sarah and her mother would like to thank Jana & Ludmilla Vaculik; Maggie Grmela and Alice Vida for their help researching the design for this kroj.
