Jan Société and the Office of the Commissioner General of Czechia’s participation at EXPO 2025 have presented a custom-designed collection for the Czech National Pavilion in Osaka
The collection, inspired by Japanese workwear, includes a full set of clothing for the entire staff of the Czech National Pavilion at EXPO 2025 in Osaka. These outfits will be worn by hostesses, restaurant staff, and other team members working in the pavilion. The collection consists of a bomber jacket, shirt, T-shirt, trousers, and an apron, complemented by a special silhouette of the Prestige x Jan sneakers and a scarf featuring René, the pavilion's mascot. The outfits are color-coded according to roles—light sand for hostesses and visitor guides (permanent exhibition) and blue for the gastronomy team.
"The theme of Czechia’s participation at EXPO 2025 is Talent and Creativity for Life. I am truly delighted that we can collaborate with talented professionals from various fields—such as culture, design, art, F&B, and business—who have a global reputation and are helping us present Czechia more than 10,000 kilometers from home. One of these exceptional talents is Jan Černý, and I would like to sincerely thank him for designing the uniforms that the pavilion staff will wear every day," comments Ondřej Soška, Commissioner General of Czechia’s participation at EXPO 2025, directly from Osaka. He adds: "Although I initially told Honza that I wanted to build on the Olympic collection for Paris and create a similar buzz with something extravagant, he once again did it his own way. And I’m glad he did—the uniforms harmonize perfectly with the Japanese setting, embracing Japanese minimalism while remaining highly original. They subtly incorporate elements used in our presentation – the mascot René, the designation Czechia, and an observant eye will also notice the linden leaf from our logo, referencing our national symbols, cut glass, and Japanese origami."
Jan Černý approached the collection holistically, designing a set that accommodates various weather conditions and temperatures throughout the six-month duration of EXPO in Japan. The entire collection is highly versatile, distinctive, and easily recognizable among visitors, thanks to its uniform color scheme and the bold Czechia print on the back.
Drawing inspiration from the dialogue between iconic Czech workwear and Japanese workwear culture, the primary material is cotton, specially treated with enzymes during washing to create a light and comfortable feel. The Prestige x Jan sneakers, crafted from cognac-colored leather, feature perforations on the inner side for ventilation, ensuring comfort even in higher temperatures.
"During my research on the (lack of) fashion culture in Czechia, I discovered an intriguing parallel between our own and Japanese culture. I realized how similar our beloved—and sometimes despised—work overalls are to Japanese workwear, a style deeply rooted in Japan’s clothing culture. So, I allowed these two workwear traditions to engage in dialogue through my designs. The result is these uniforms, which might remind some of Otík’s overalls from My Sweet Little Village. But once placed in the international setting of EXPO in Osaka, that reference fades, and the workwear silhouettes of my collection take on a completely different meaning. That transformative aspect of fashion—the way a change in environment and context can completely alter the perception of clothing—is something I truly enjoy," explains Jan Société’s founder and creative director, Jan Černý, summarizing the main inspiration behind the collection.
A closer look at the collection reveals embroidered details on the chest, referencing the essential pockets of workwear garments. However, instead of functional pockets, these are subtly outlined with embroidery, elevating them to a decorative element. The garments are not adorned with artificial embellishments but with details that naturally belong to workwear. On the back of each piece, you’ll find Jan’s signature label along with a bold Czechia print, ensuring visibility across the EXPO grounds.
The silhouettes are oversized, unisex, and unexpectedly minimalist compared to Jan’s previous collections. "There’s a reason for that—by opting for muted colors and clean silhouettes, we can stand out among other pavilions, which often go for highly colorful and patterned outfits. Additionally, the Japanese rarely wear patterns; they value minimalism and loose silhouettes. That’s precisely why this Jan Société collection might be a perfect fit," adds Jan Černý. The uniform collection has a washed look, giving it a natural, lived-in feel as if it has already been worn. Another strong link to its inspiration can be seen in the apron design, which, with its cut-out at the bottom, resembles iconic dungarees.
"I’m glad that with this collection, I can challenge the outdated perception of hostesses at business events—where people immediately picture a young woman in high heels and a tight mini dress, standing by a table as mere eye candy for businessmen. The world doesn’t work like that anymore, and I personally reject the idea that women should be presented in such subordinate roles. Moreover, such an outfit would be not only inappropriate on a global scale but also entirely unremarkable in Japan—Japanese fashion rarely embraces tight-fitting garments, instead favoring the freedom of oversized silhouettes and loose cuts. I believe that by dressing our staff in this way, we can capture visitors' attention and make the Czech National Pavilion truly memorable," says Jan Černý.
Beyond the uniforms for the pavilion staff, Jan Černý also designed suits for the pavilion’s management. Additionally, Jan Société is set to present its work in Osaka through a conceptual fashion show.
About Jan Černý Jan Černý is a Czech designer creating contemporary menswear and genderless fashion under his brand, Jan Société. Despite his young age, he has already achieved remarkable success. He completed an internship under the late Virgil Abloh at the Louis Vuitton atelier in Paris, served as the creative director of the Czech brand Kara, and was featured in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list. His designs are worn by personalities such as Barbora Strýcová, Calin, and Ben Cristovao, making him a key figure in Czechia’s young cultural scene shaping the style of a new generation.
In 2024, he designed the official Olympic entry collection for Czech athletes. Thanks to its modern aesthetic and innovative approach, Time Magazine ranked it among the top three Olympic
About the Czech Pavilion at EXPO 2025 In December 2022, after more than twenty years, the Office of the Commissioner General announced an open, anonymous architectural competition to design the National Pavilion for EXPO 2025. Thirty-eight studios have participated, and in March 2023 a jury of experts led by the world-renowned architect Eva Jiřičná selected the winning design: a glass spiral by Apropos Architects. The main structure of the building will be made of modern wood panels, while the façade will feature art glass, which has a centuries-old tradition in Czechia. The National Pavilion, which will be located on the artificial island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay from April to October 2025, will provide a prestigious setting for Czech participation at EXPO 2025. The pavilion will house a permanent exhibition, a multifunctional auditorium, facilities for business meetings, restaurants, a CTP lounge, and a relaxation area overlooking the sea.
About the Czech participation at EXPO 2025 This will be the sixth time that Czechia has taken part in a world exhibition as an independent state. Ondřej Soška, who won the Ministry of Foreign Affairs selection process with his concept and theme "Talent and Creativity for Life", has been serving as Commissioner General since September 2022. Czechia aims to showcase not only what the Japanese already know and admire, such as Czech glass and classical music, but above all Czech innovations, nanotechnologies, promising start-ups and talent from the regions.
