Our Story
Behind Kodanska is designer and CEO Marie Graff. The name Kodanska means Copenhagen Street in Czech and is named after the street in Prague where Marie and her family lived for several years. Marie's husband, Anders, was stationed in the Czech Republic, giving Marie a new everyday life with time and space to pursue her entrepreneurial ambitions and creative ideas.
This is where the idea for Kodanska was born. Marie was looking for a salt cellar for her home but could not find one that combined functionality and aesthetics in the way she envisioned. This led to a collaboration with a local ceramicist, who helped bring Marie's vision of the perfect salt cellar to life. The design quickly became popular among friends and family, and before long Marie found herself exhibiting at a design fair for emerging Danish designers.
The Kodanska journey quickly gained momentum. At the same time, Marie's fascination with Czech glass craftsmanship grew, and new designs were developed in collaboration with a local glassworks in Prague.
In 2013, we turned our lives upside down and moved from Denmark to the Czech Republic.
We found an apartment in the heart of Prague on a street called Kodanska. Translated from Czech, it means Copenhagen Street.
For two years, I was on maternity leave with our second child, Villum. During that time, we built a life in Prague, formed new friendships, and immersed ourselves in the city and Czech culture.
Living in Prague introduced me to a vibrant creative community and sparked the dream of creating designs of my own.
Before glass became our signature, Kodanska started with handmade ceramic designs created in Prague.
With a car full of products and plenty of excitement, I showcased my very first designs at the Danish design market FindersKeepers.
After five inspiring years in Prague, our family returned to Denmark and settled in the countryside outside Vejle.
In 2018, Kodanska exhibited at its first trade fair, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the brand.
That year, Danish Summer was nominated for Design of the Year at Formland Design Fair, putting Kodanska on the map within Danish design.
Since then, Kodanska has participated in design fairs across Europe, gradually growing from a small startup into an international design brand.
From the very beginning, craftsmanship has been at the heart of Kodanska. We started with ceramics and later found our true passion in glass.
Family has always been an important part of the Kodanska journey, and they continue to inspire me every day.
From an early age, my children have joined me behind the scenes and experienced the craftsmanship that brings our designs to life.
Today, they still enjoy visiting production and are often the first to share their thoughts on new designs.
Today, our family of six keeps life busy and colourful, balancing everyday adventures with the journey of growing Kodanska.
Today, Kodanska is dedicated exclusively to mouth-blown glass, crafted in close collaboration with skilled artisans in Europe.
Our ambition remains the same: to create colourful, innovative designs that bring joy to everyday life while being produced responsibly and built to last.
Our values
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Every piece is unique
We create exclusively handmade products, making each piece one of a kind.
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Quality without compromise
We never compromise on quality. Every product passes multiple quality checks before it reaches our customers.
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Partnership and craftsmanship
Our artisans are an essential part of Kodanska. We work closely together and plan production to support craftsmanship throughout the year.
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Fair partnerships
We believe in fair partnerships. Every piece is valued equally, which means we pay the same price per product regardless of volume.
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Honesty and integrity
We value transparency, reliability and long-term relationships. We do what we promise and treat our partners with respect.
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Behind the scenes
We believe in transparency and enjoy sharing the journey behind our products, from the first sketch to the finished piece.
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Designed together
Our customers help shape Kodanska. By listening closely to their wishes and feedback, we continue to develop meaningful collections.
Design Without Waste
At Kodanska, we believe that beautiful design and responsible production go hand in hand.
By continuously exploring new techniques and creative production methods, we ensure that every part of the glass is used and valued. What might be considered waste in a traditional production process often becomes the starting point for new designs and new ideas.
Our ambition is to create products that combine craftsmanship, creativity and responsibility while continuously refining the way we produce glass.
A Journey We Share
At Kodanska, we believe meaningful change is created together. While we continuously challenge ourselves to develop more responsible ways of producing, we know that real progress depends on the choices we make collectively.
Every purchase is a vote for the kind of future we want to create. That is why we are committed to designing products that combine beauty, quality and responsibility while remaining open about the journey behind them.
By sharing our ambitions, challenges and progress, we invite our customers to be part of the conversation. Together, we can support craftsmanship, encourage thoughtful production and help shape a more conscious future for design.
Our journey is ongoing, and we are grateful to share it with you.