DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT
By Annie Davidson Watson
50
golden year
JOHN HARDY MARKS 50 YEARS WITH BOLD NEW VISION FROM REED KRAKOFF
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The Balinese-born brand celebrates its golden anniversary with heritage reissues, new stores, and a fresh creative direction.
This year marks half a century of John Hardy — a major milestone for the Bali-based jewelry house known for artisanal craftsmanship, cultural symbolism, and sustainability. Founded in 1975 by Canadian artist John Hardy, the brand gained recognition for its handwoven chains, mythological motifs, and commitment to community and the environment. Now, under the creative leadership of Reed Krakoff, John Hardy enters a bold new chapter rooted in heritage but oriented firmly toward the future. To mark its five-decade legacy, the brand has launched two commemorative collections: Icon 50 and Spear 50. Icon 50 reimagines John Hardy’s beloved heritage chain as a modern statement piece, available in sterling silver, gold, and pavé diamond variations. Spear 50 revisits one of Krakoff’s own designs from his early tenure at the house, embuing it with Balinese symbolism and a refined, sculptural aesthetic. Together, the collections reflect a brand at the crossroads of legacy and innovation. Krakoff, who joined John Hardy as creative chairman in 2022, brings decades of industry experience and a minimalist eye honed at Coach and Tiffany & Co. Since taking the helm, he has introduced the high
fine Artisan series, launched in fall 2024, showcasing rare diamonds and precious gemstones in 18K yellow and white gold. He’s also expanded existing collections like Surf, Pebble, and Love Knot, and ushered in collaborations with names including Athena Calderone (spring 2025), Todd Snyder, and Wölffer Estate. His approach has balanced reverence for traditional Balinese craftsmanship with a clean, contemporary design language, helping John Hardy reach new audiences while deepening loyalty among longtime fans. The anniversary coincides with physical expansion, including new retail locations at Rockefeller Center in New York and Miami’s Design District, both opened in late 2024. These flagship stores underscore the brand’s growing luxury positioning, alongside a successful shop-in-shop at Saks Palm Beach Gardens and a robust wholesale presence. As John Hardy celebrates 50 years, it continues to honor the values on which it was founded — community, artisanship, and sustainability — while embracing change through visionary leadership. With Reed Krakoff steering the creative direction, the brand is poised not just to celebrate its past but to define the next era of modern jewelry design.
36 | BENARI JEWELERS MAGAZINE
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