The creators of this store revisit the great Czech classics of wooden toys by bringing them up to date with more contemporary colours, shapes, or options.
Some parts of Prague are untouched by globalization. You need a sharp eye if you’re walking on Milady Horákové street in art district Letná (Prague 7).
Among the varied mixture of shops, stop at the toy shop with the catchy name Hugo Chodí Bos (Hugo walks barefoot). The local brand offers toys as they were designed before 1989.
The toys are authentic copies of originals and have a very strong Czechoslovak visual identity. The color combination, the unique shape, and the choice of material capture the aesthetic of the past exactly.
Most of these popular toys were in every household. Generations of adults are usually really excited to see them again.
They are made by the most talented designers are timeless and could serve as interesting objects to own.
The variety you can find there includes but is not limited to classic wooden toys (pull toys, stacking toys, puzzles, etc.), tin toys (wind-up toys, cars, mountain cable cars), lovely illustrated books, paper toys including decorative mobiles, children’s suitcases, and collectable toys (e.g. Frida and Vincent Van Gogh figurines).
We would recommend the inflatable toys by renowned toy designer Libuše Niklová (1934-1981), one of Czechoslovakia’s most important toy designers during the 1960s and ’70s. She was revolutionary and technologically innovative.
The shop Hugo Chodí Bos sells her iconic inflatable animals: giraffe (see photo), buffalo, elephant, pony and caterpillar. No wonder the particular work was recently presented in an exhibition at MoMA in New York or at the London Design Festival.
Buy locally-made toys and accessories from Hugo Chodí Bos and support the tradition of high-quality toy making.
Info:
- Address: Milady Horákové 26, Prague
- Telephone number: +420775407298
- Opening Times: Mon – Fri 10:00 – 18:00, Sat 10:00 – 16:00
