Glass is both fragile and strong, transparent and transformative; it possesses infinite possibilities. Through the medium of glass, artisanal Czech glass brand Linda Pro redefines the relationship between art and quotidian objects. Founder and designer Linda Procházka is among this year’s emerging designers at CENTRESTAGE. Dive into her creative world and explore her visionary insights on art and design, and learn about how she expresses emotion and highlights craftsmanship through her work.

VOGUE HK: You graduated from UMPRUM and worked as a designer at Lasvit, contributing to Czech glass light installations. How has this experience shaped your current design philosophy, especially in your LINDA PRO collection featuring glass handbags and accessories?

Linda Procházka: Graduating from UMPRUM – the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague – was an extraordinary privilege. It is, without doubt, the leading design school in the Czech Republic, and it gave me the freedom to experiment, to dream, and to shape my artistic voice in a deeply authentic way.

Equally transformative was my experience working abroad, specifically in London with Lasvit, where I designed large-scale light installations from Bohemian crystal glass for projects all around the world. The contrast between these two worlds – the poetic, almost bohemian atmosphere of an art academy and the fast-paced, high-pressure environment of an international design company – shaped my creative philosophy in a very unique way.

From one, I learned to stay open-hearted and imaginative in my approach to design. From the other, I developed a strong sense of structure, discipline, and responsibility – all essential for running my own brand. This balance is at the core of how I approach my brand, LINDA PRO – where delicate glass objects are conceived with both artistic soul and a sense of purpose, each piece carrying its own story and meaning.

VOGUE HK: Why did you choose the glass as a symbol or medium for your brand?

Linda Procházka: I first discovered my deep connection to glass during my diploma project, “Birth of light”, when I temporarily relocated to the north of Czechia — a region often referred to as the “Crystal Valley.” This area holds the highest concentration of traditional glass workshops in the country and a centuries-old heritage of working with hand-blown glass. Living and working there taught me both the technique and the soul of the material. Anyone who has witnessed the process of hot glass being shaped by hand and breath understands how quietly powerful and emotionally charged that moment can be.

Glass is a unique medium: both fragile and enduring, luminous yet full of nuance. In 2023, traditional Czech glassmaking was officially recognised by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity – a meaningful affirmation of the value this craft holds. For me, choosing glass was a way to carry this traditional craftsmanship into modern form. Through my work, I aim to bridge heritage and contemporary design – allowing one to inform and elevate the other.

VOGUE HK: Tell us more about your inspiration. What are the influences that create these works?

Linda Procházka: I used to think that inspiration for my work came from different places each time. But over the years, as I created more and more pieces, I began to realise that it always, in some way, originates from within. My designs are often a reflection of my personal experiences and perception of the world around me. Much like in art, the inspiration doesn't come from the outside, but from the inside.

That’s why my work often balances on the line between design and art. The meaning behind each piece is just as important to me as the execution itself. I see every object not only as a form, but as a story – a quiet message waiting to be discovered.

VOGUE HK: How do you perceive craftsmanship?

Linda Procházka: I see craftsmanship as something that deserves deep respect – especially the slowly disappearing ones, such as traditional hand-blown glassmaking. These skills are more than just techniques; they are the embodiment of time, knowledge, and experience passed down through generations.

When a craft is truly mastered, it allows us to create objects with a special kind of value – one that goes far beyond function or appearance. It carries the human touch, memory, and intention. In today’s fast-paced world, I believe it's more important than ever to preserve these increasingly rare forms of making and to celebrate the quiet power they hold.

VOGUE HK: For the glass bows, glass handbag and the Coquette collection, what did you explore and what kind of Czech craftsmanship was involved — what is your creative process?

Linda Procházka: The Coquette collection was first introduced last autumn at Designblok – the largest art and design festival in Czechia. The theme of the year was Youth, which led me to reflect on childhood dreams and how they evolve over time – whether they come true, shift, or quietly fade away in adulthood.

The limited collection, consisting of one-of-a-kind pieces including vases, handbags, and glasses, explores the motif of the bow – delicately shaped in both soft pink and clear crystal glass. The bow became a symbol of femininity, delicacy, and memory. Through this collection, I continued my ongoing effort to bring glass into the world of fashion. This time, I was inspired by the visual language of the coquette aesthetic – a hyper-feminine style marked by ribbons, soft hues, and romantic silhouettes – and translated it into glass.

The technique used to create these pieces is highly demanding – it requires not only exceptional craftsmanship, but also specialised tools and equipment. Each element is made individually and then joined together while still hot, directly in the glass studio. This process, known as hot assembly, means that no adhesives are used; every connection is formed in the furnace, as part of the material itself.

The most technically challenging – and at the same time most valuable – piece in the entire collection is a vase adorned with twenty-eight glass bows. The process began with the creation of the main vase, which was then slowly cooled and delicately decorated with a hand-cut surface. Separately, twenty-eight delicate bows were formed from pink glass and annealed. Once all parts were complete, everything had to be reheated to the same temperature, and the vase was mounted back onto the glassmaker’s pipe. One by one, each bow was carefully attached using a torch – a process that was long, intense, and required absolute precision. A single wrong movement could have destroyed the entire piece and many hours of work.

VOGUE HK: How would you describe your work?

Linda Procházka: Elegant, delicate, and quietly luxurious – my work blends traditional Czech glass craftsmanship with a contemporary sensibility. Each piece is made with care and intention, reflecting not only aesthetic beauty, but also the time, skill, and human touch behind it.

VOGUE HK: LINDA PRO redefines the relationship between art and everyday objects. What do you think of art, and how important is artistry in relation to functionality?

Linda Procházka: For me, art is not defined by where an object is placed – in a gallery or in someone’s home – but by the intention and emotion it carries. I’ve always been drawn to the spaces where art and design overlap, where everyday objects are treated with the same sensitivity and thoughtfulness as sculpture.

Through LINDA PRO, I aim to blur the line between function and poetry. A vase, a glass, or even a handbag can become something more – a quiet reflection of beauty, memory, and craftsmanship. Functionality matters, of course, but it doesn’t have to be in opposition to artistic value. When the two meet, something truly meaningful can emerge – something that not only serves a purpose, but also resonates on a deeper, more emotional level.

VOGUE HK: What currently fascinates you? Do you plan to expand your work to more international platforms or explore other artistic disciplines?

Linda Procházka: At the moment, I find myself deeply moved and inspired by feminine strength and energy, much more than ever before. I’m currently pregnant, and this experience has made me more attuned to the women around me: their stories, their resilience, everything they’ve faced and carried, whether they are mothers or not. This chapter of life is not easy for anyone, especially for artists. And I’m often brought to tears by moments of encouragement and solidarity between women. There’s something profoundly powerful about that quiet support.

Looking ahead, I hope to expand LINDA PRO internationally. I believe there’s a genuine space for this kind of work to be appreciated beyond borders, both as a celebration of Czech craftsmanship and as a contemporary voice with emotional depth.

In the future, I also dream of connecting my glass work even more directly with fashion, not only through accessories, but by designing complete garments myself. I see this as a natural continuation of my world, where the body, material and story all become one expression.