Bohemian Rhapsody

Bohemian Rhapsody

- Elizabeth Kerr

For all intents and purposes, Leon Jakimic has come full circle, sitting at the same top floor table of The Upper House where Lasvit was born a decade ago. He can, arguably, take credit for the resurgence of Bohemian glass making worldwide: in just 10 years, Lasvit’s sculptures, art installations and lighting accessories crafted from handblown glass have become hallmarks of the world’s chicest private homes and commercial spaces.

Jakimic is back at The Upper House for the unveiling of the hotel’s Christmas tree and back in Hong Kong after the Milano Design Film Festival premiered director Kryštof Jankovec’s 30-minute documentary biopic, Breakpoint, a post-YouTube advertising exercise. With its vaguely post-apocalyptic imagery and phoenix-from-the ashes tone, Breakpoint – whose title can refer to the point that wins a game of tennis or the potential end of the line for a community and a tradition – details Jakimic’s vision for Lasvit in simultaneously cocky and generous strokes. Plenty of time is given over to Lasvit’s glassblowers, as well as creative director Maxim VelÄovský.

“Our aim is to be the most inspirational glassmakers; to inspire the world through something beautiful,” explains Jakimic. “Something that can add to people’s happiness. We’d never want to sound so over-confident to say we can change anyone, but we feel we can make people happier and more relaxed when they see a beautiful lighting sculpture above the kitchen island or in the lobby of a hotel. This is our mission.”