BROKIS
4 5
PEoPLE
PEOPLE
Entrepreneur Jan rabell is one of the most dynamic
figures in the Czech republic’s glassmaking industry.
born in Prague in 1965 to a Puerto rican father and
Czech mother, he grew up in his father’s homeland,
later returning to Prague to pursue a master’s
degree in economics. He went on to hold various
managing director posts in the field of finance and
banking. in 1997, he purchased the ailing Janštejn
Glassworks and set about restoring its prestige
and competitiveness primarily by introducing
unconventional glassblowing techniques and
production technologies. in 2006, he founded
the family-run premium glass lighting brand brokis,
quickly developing it into one of the most important
players in the market and exporting its products
around the world. Mr rabell’s charisma, energy, and
innovative vision continue to propel brokis and
Janštejn Glassworks steadily forward.
brokis art director Lucie koldova is an acclaimed
Czech product and furniture designer. Her col-
laboration with the lighting brand began in 2010
with the timeless Muffins and balloons collections,
which she designed while living and working in Paris.
The voluminous glass lights embody her charismatic,
elegant style and quickly established brokis as
an innovative producer of handblown glass light-
ing. she is the creative force behind the brand and
is instrumental in shaping its product portfolio and
image. Her creations, objects of desire, include glass
sculptures, glass lighting, poetic gallery pieces, and
limited series works. breathtaking colours, unusual
proportions, and vibrant formal contrasts move her
work seemingly beyond the realm of the possible,
a trademark at once apparent in lighting collections
such as Macaron, Puro, ivy, and spectra. in addition
to developing ever- more novel and exciting motifs,
Lucie koldova has introduced important technologi-
cal and formal solutions that have enabled brokis
to push the limits of handblown glass production.
“NOTHING’S IMPOSSIBLE;
NEVER SAY IT CAN’T
BE DONE.”
JAN RABELL
“I SEE A LIGHT AS A SCULPTURE,
AN OBJECT RADIATING ENERGY.
I SHAPE THE ENERGY OF LIGHT
THROUGH THE RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN THE SOURCE
AND THE GLASS”
LUCIE KOLDOVA
