I'm pretty self-dependent. Shoemaking requires other crafts, such as woodworking, toolmaking, wax preparing and ergonomy. And thanks to a lot of time spent trying and learning things on my own, I'm more or less able to cover everything I need myself.

Luckily, the world is filled with masters in the field. I have been privileged to meet many, for example at the championships in shoemaking. But my main inspiration is history. I'm very fond of the journals of shoemakers from the period around 1900.

For me, shoemaking is an applied art. I'm incarnating visions. I love the moments of silence beyond time and space when the only thing that exists is here and now. And I cherish the opportunity of learning and exploring the old production techniques.

I do, but only occasionally. The only one who stuck with me is my current colleague, Aneta Gretzová. The moment she entered my workshop is memorable: her certainty and determination to become a shoemaker were fiery. At last, I felt someone shared my fascination.