Růžena Žertová

1945-51 - studies at the gymnasium in Frýdek-Místek


1951 - begins studying architecture at the Faculty of Civil Engineering CTU in Prague, simultaneously attending the AAAD (Academy of Art, Architecture, and Design) in Prague 


1952 - transfers to the Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering at VUT in Brno in the studio of Prof. Bedřich Rozehnal


1957 - completes his architectural studies and prepares for the entrance exams in scenography with Prof. František Tröster at the Theatre Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague


1957 - after graduation, receives a job placement at the Ostrava Stavoprojekt; however, its director, Josef Kempný, refuses to release her for further studies; Žertová gives up her studies at DAMU
1957 - in the fall, she is accepted by Zdeněk Řihák to Potravinoprojekt in Brno 


1960 - moves to the State Project Institute of Trade Brno (SPÚO), where she works until 1983; here she also meets her lifelong partner, architect Igor Svoboda 


1966 - together with Igor Svoboda travels to Great Britain; visits Ernst Wiesner in Liverpool and hands him materials for an exhibition dedicated to Bedřich Rozehnal


1968 - is once again close to emigrating - this time to Switzerland


1972 - begins designing costume jewelry
from 1975 focuses on designs and creating lighting fixtures, which are offered in shops of Dílo 


1976 - marries Igor Svoboda 


1978 - she and her husband lose their attic apartment on Dvořákova Street; later that year, they acquire land to build their own house in Žabovřesky 


1980–83 - besides her work at SPÚO, Žertová oversees the construction of the house, manufactures lighting fixtures, and cares for her ill husband and seriously ill mother 


1983 - among other reasons related to disagreements concerning the design of the Ostrava Prior, leaves SPÚO; as a member of the Union of Fine Artists, she dedicates herself fully to artistic craftsmanship and works as an independent designer until 1989 


1983 - Žertová begins creating original jewelry from titanium


1990 - establishes her own architectural studio; focuses on designs of family houses and residential complexes 


1992 - the Moravian Gallery acquires two lighting fixtures and a titanium necklace created by Žertová for its collections 


2009 - Oldřich Ševčík and Petr Pelčák, with the help of Ondřej Beneš, nominate Žertová for the ČKA Honor Award 


2009 - the work of Růžena Žertová, especially her jewelry, is presented at the Prague Biennale by Barbora Klímová 


2009 - awarded the Gold Medal of the Brno University of Technology 




2011 - the department stores of Růžena Žertová are presented in their largest scope to date as part of the exhibition and publication KOTVY MÁJE / Czech Department Stores 1965-75