Marcus Richards
Rokos produces glassware that comes to life when it is used. We value rarity, originality, exceptional quality and creativity. Our customers enjoy the unusual combined with the exquisite.
Tell us about yourself?
My grandparents escaped from Czechoslovakia during World War two. My parents met when they were schoolteachers, both involved in the school’s orchestra. As the UK’s education system is unsuitable for dyslexic children, I went into the arts.
If you could go back in time a year or two, what piece of advice would you give yourself?
Buy glasses with a longer focal length. Whilst my glasses have yellow lenses which makes reading much more of a joy, since the words take on great clarity, the short focal distance makes me lean forward in order to bring the computer screen into focus, which gives me a bad posture.
What problem does your business solve?
Our work is for people who seek to possess the unexpected or for people who would like to buy a surprising gift.
What is the inspiration behind your business?
I presented a design for a bowl to a buyer in London. They liked it and advised me to make a larger offering which would be more attractive to a shop.
What is your magic sauce?
We absolutely will not compromise on design or production so that each object is exceptional.
We are proud to make work that is unexpected. We are aware of trends but do not seek to follow them, which makes our minimalist work timeless.
We dare to spend time developing ideas without the certainty that they will be physically possible at the end of the journey.
What is the plan for the next 5 years? What do you want to achieve?
We will grow the range and although our work will continue to be hand made in small numbers, it will be available in a larger number of galleries and boutiques. Our studio will grow slightly.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?
The most difficult problem to solve has been discovering craftsmen to make our work in the small numbers that we seek, to an exceptional level of quality.
Because we found reliable and highly skilled glassmakers and the stainless steel fabricator consistently let us down, we switched our medium of choice from metal to glass.
We may work with a wider range of materials in future, as we discover talented craftsmen to work with.
How do people get involved/buy into your vision?
People may discover our work in design boutiques selling home decor, or on our own website – rokos.com. We are a studio brand also designing and offering consultancy for others.
