JOHN HARDY CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY & ICON CHAIN MASTERCLASS PROGRAM

Images courtesy of John Hardy

Creative Chairman Reed Krakoff commemorates John Hardy’s Legacy

John Hardy Jewelry, founded by Canadian jeweler John Hardy in 1975, celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025. Currently, the brand is led by Creative Chairman Reed Krakoff, who upholds the brand’s heritage and values for a contemporary global audience. The ethos of John Hardy is deeply rooted in the ecosystem of human and natural resources in Bali, a commitment that is reflected in the work of both Krakoff and the John Hardy workshop.

In February, the brand introduced the Icon 50 and Spear 50 anniversary collections. Upcoming events at the John Hardy Seminyak Boutique in Bali feature an exhibit showcasing jewelry from the archives, as well as a new Icon Chain Masterclass for customers interested in weaving silver and customizing their icon chain bracelets.

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Reed Krakoff, a three-time Accessory Designer of the Year Award recipient, joined John Hardy in 2022. He is known for reinvigorating luxury accessories and has made a significant impact on the industry. Krakoff’s directional design and brand concepts have revitalized John Hardy’s codes, DNA, and values, furthering its jewelry proposition.

Reed Krakoff has refined classic motifs like Icon’s handwoven chains and Naga’s Balinese dragon. They have launched new collections like Surf, Spear, Pebble, and Artisan Series, showcasing their signature silhouettes and transforming weaving into two-dimensional textures. These collections aim to elevate the jewelry look and become future brand heroes.

Inspired by the marigold flower found in Balinese products, Reed Krakoff has used orange as a brand color to evolve its stores, packaging, campaigns, and branding. By embracing a global luxury lifestyle and moving beyond its tropical roots, the company has adopted a 360-degree strategy to honor Balinese artisans and craftsmanship.

“Everything has a direct connection to the brand’s spirit, but it’s been refined. We build from the handcrafted aesthetic by developing more design concepts and silhouette expansion. Since 1975, sustainability and social impact thinking was built into the core of the business, and it remains a core part of the business and a source of employee pride,” said Krakoff. In the spirit of its founder, an eco-activist well before it trended, metals are reclaimed, and stones are ethically sourced.

John Hardy is committed to preserving Balinese craftsmanship and providing training and mentorship to disadvantaged youth. The company’s “Jobs for Life” program offers job opportunities, and one of its current jewelry designers is a graduate of this program from 15 years ago. Additionally, John Hardy aims to preserve traditional hand-crafted jewelry techniques, such as weaving silver and gold chains and carving wax for casting, to prevent these skills from fading away.

The design studio and headquarters of John Hardy are situated in Ubud, Indonesia, and serve as a creative and community-focused space. The estate, constructed from eco-friendly bamboo, consists of several buildings and provides nutritious lunches for over 650 workers. In addition, the studio is actively involved in cleaning the island’s polluted beaches and rivers, while also promoting sustainable livelihoods through the Bamboo Village Trust.