Kocourek MIKES Mléčná Čokoláda: A Blend of Flavor and Art

This past Christmas, my husband added Kocourek MIKES Mléčná Čokoláda to the family gift package after spotting it at Kaldi. It’s become a thoughtful touch in our holiday tradition, one that began when I joined his family. While the milk chocolate was enjoyable, what really caught my eye was the wrapper—a charming illustration by Alena Ladová.

The artwork has a nostalgic feel, and I later found out that Alena is the daughter of Josef Lada, one of the Czech Republic’s most renowned illustrators. Discovering this connection made me appreciate the design even more. The wrapper felt like a small piece of art, so I took a moment to photograph it—a simple way to document something unique.

Curious about Alena’s other work, I visited joseflada.com and found a delightful collection of illustrations that reflect her family’s artistic legacy. Learning about Josef Lada’s influence and Alena’s contributions sparked a new interest in exploring the Czech Republic. The idea of experiencing the culture and history behind such creations makes the prospect of visiting feel worthwhile.

For those intrigued by the chocolate itself, more details are available at carlachocolate.com. It’s always a nice surprise when something as simple as a bar of chocolate offers not just flavor but also a glimpse into a larger story.

Have you ever come across packaging or design that made you stop and take notice? It’s fascinating how even small details can lead to unexpected discoveries.

This experience also became the inspiration for the upcoming Makers' Day #13 flyer design! While the characters on the flyer have been created by my friend Nobusan, I drew inspiration from the chocolate wrapper’s palette and bold framing to highlight the storytelling aspect of the illustration.