Interview with Janja about the changes that the Year of the Snake will bring to brand

The serpent has been a symbol of renewal, wisdom and deep connection to the natural cycles of life since ancient times. In the Year of the Serpent 2025, it's time for re-evaluation, transformation and a new direction. This is what Janja Prokić has decided to do. Soon she will leave the premises of her shop in Mala Strana to open a new studio in Bílkova Street, close to other shops that represent niche luxury. This change stems from Janja's desire to return to a form of selling that is more natural to her personally, as well as the need to find a location that is more convenient and accessible for her clients.

Here is an interview in which the designer candidly describes the key decisions that led to Janja Prokić's brand shift.

The Year of the Serpent is associated with transformation, rebirth and wisdom. How do you see this symbolism in relation to the changes in your life and work?

For me, the Year of the Snake coincides with several major decisions - both professional and personal. The biggest change is the studio move and my long-planned return to studio-style sales. I've found that business is a great thing, but I miss having more privacy, more space to work individually with clients, and being able to spend more time with them. My jewelry is quite intimate in nature and I think it deserves this approach. That's why after three years I've decided to leave the space on Kampa, which no longer serves me as well as I need it to - I feel it's time to throw it away like an old snake.

At the moment I am in the process of furnishing a new studio and making furniture, which I designed all by myself again. And I can't wait! At the beginning of April we will open and I will be able to welcome my clients to my new paradise and introduce them to the new studio concept, which I believe will bring a change for the better for them as well.

How do you perceive the process of change in your work and life? Do you see it more as a search for balance or as a movement towards something new?

I perceive the process of change, whether in my personal life or in my work, mostly positively! I'm a big fan of when things move, and of course I like it best when it's in the right direction. But sometimes we take a path that we don't understand why it's good for us in the beginning, and only time will tell. I often opt for the more challenging options, but my experience confirms that these are the paths that tend to be more rewarding - for me as a person and for my brand and career. Since turning 40, I've been seeking greater balance in both of these areas and taking more and more steps to achieve it. For example, I'm spending a lot more time at the cottage and in nature. And when it comes to work, I can now safely say that I only do projects that I really want to do and only work with people who are mutually enjoyable. And that's just wonderful!

How did you experience the moment when you decided to move the brand again and leave the store in Mala Strana? Was it a difficult decision?

I thought about it for a really long time. While opening a retail store made my work more accessible to a wider audience, I also felt that it took away the ability to tell stories and reveal the deeper context of the collections, which is what I create for, and it's essential to me. It felt like I was depriving myself and my clients of the moment of surprise, emotion and emotion that goes along with it, and which I personally find personally recharging. Kampa was great because it allowed me to fulfill a long-held dream of having a free art gallery and connecting contemporary jewelry with contemporary art. And I definitely plan to continue that in my new studio!

What energy were you looking for when you envisioned a new location for your studio? Did the space meet your expectations?

From the beginning, I was looking for a salon-type apartment that would have walk-through rooms. I wanted each room to have a different atmosphere, to guide the client through the space as a story - my story - and to awaken their curiosity. Equally, I knew that when I entered that space, I needed to feel like I could breathe in there and that I had the space to tell my stories, to create my own world and let people see into it and the opportunity to take a piece of it away. The location of the Old Town was also very important, where I can accommodate clients in terms of facilitating visits.

How will the new studio be different from the current store?

The difference is that customers will be welcomed into a more personal and private environment of an Art Nouveau salon apartment, where they can quietly enjoy a coffee on the sofa or a drink and enjoy their visit without rushing. The studio consists of three generous rooms. The first will be dedicated to gold, the second to silver, and the third to be used as a lounge for clients who wish to be in direct contact with me, for example when commissioning bespoke jewellery. I want to continue to provide first-class client service and I believe we will take it to an even higher level in the new space. It is also important to mention that customers will be able to come to the first floor studio at any time without an appointment, just as they have been able to do so in Kampa.

Will your own vision of the interior be reflected in the interior again?

I can't do it any other way - I designed the entire interior myself, including most of the furniture, which will be complemented by historical pieces that I enjoy with some kind of peculiarity or rarity. There will also be iconic design pieces from my favourite furniture brands such as Wittmann, Vitra, Classicon and Gubi. There will also be chandeliers made especially for us by Studio Dechem or new pieces from Bomma presented at Milan Design Week as well as pieces from DCW, which I love! Contemporary young Czech designers will be represented by Johan Pertl, Karolína Kučerová and Ivo Jedlička. In the studio, works from my private art collection will be displayed on the walls. I would like my clients to feel that they have come to visit me in my home, in my boudoir, which is also a bit of an art cabinet.