John Hardy is a luxury jewelry company founded in 1975 that is based in Bali, Indonesia rather than European cities like Milan or Paris. The company's founder John Hardy was inspired by Bali's natural beauty and crafting traditions to create pieces incorporating local techniques. Current creative director Guy Bedarida continues this tradition by mixing precious and simple materials in designs inspired by Balinese culture. Each piece is handcrafted by local artisans in an environmentally sustainable way. Model Cara Delevingne is the new face of the brand and enjoyed her experience visiting the craftspeople at John Hardy's studio in Bali.

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Cara
Delevingne
C A R A ’ S N E W
J E W E L S
Sustainable luxury is the
philosophy behind
John Hardy
jewelry.
By Natasha
Silva-Jelly
FINE-JEWELRY firms usually
inhabit the European epicenters of
Milan and Paris. But in the case of
John Hardy jewelry—which has just
tapped the model Cara Delevingne
to be its glamorous new face—the
company’s headquarters overlooks not
the Via Condotti or the Place Vendôme
but the rice fields of Bali.
John Hardy, the company’s founder and
namesake, was a young art student when he
first traveled to the idyllic Indonesian island
in 1975,and promptly fell in love with the
lush jungle surroundings and handcrafting
traditions of its people.Hardy decided
then and there that he wanted to
create jewelry that captured
the essence of Bali’s mystical
charm.One of his first pieces,
the Classic Chain bracelet—
which remains a top seller—
aptly reflects that, using a signature
Balinese chainweaving technique.
Fast-forward four decades,and the com-
pany,with creative director Guy Bedarida
at its helm (Hardy sold the business in 2007),
boasts eight different collections,among them
the proverbial jewel in its crown,Cinta.With designs
inspired by mythical creatures like the Naga
dragon—a symbol of love,prosperity,and protec-
tion—the high-end line features glittering,ethically
sourced diamonds and bold, colorful gemstones,
including sapphires, tanzanites, rubies, and opals.
The Italian-born designer, who worked for
Boucheron and Van Cleef &Arpels before relocat-
ing to Bali 15 years ago after Hardy approached him
to head the design team, says:“I like to mix rich
precious materials like silver and gold with simple
ones like leather and rosewood.Of course,I still look
to the fashion world and Europe,but I’m so inspired
by the ancient culture of Bali, the nature, the
beautiful Hindu people, and the easy way of life.”
Bedarida, who believes that every woman’s
jewelry wardrobe should begin
with a bracelet, adds:“Jewelry is
personal. Some women love gold,
while others prefer silver,as it’s more
contemporary. I like mixing them
together. There’s something quite
elegant and historical about it.”
Each piece is meticulously crafted by
hand, many by artisans using traditional
methods of weaving and hammering.“Bali is
full of creativity,”says Bedarida.“Our mission
is to elevate the local talent, and to show
the world that you can create a luxury brand
out of a developing country.”
Designing jewelry that takes its
inspiration from the island’s natural
beauty and the Balinese cul-
ture,and giving back to that
environment,are at the heart
of every John Hardy design,
an ethos that has been instilled
since the beginning.The brand has
implemented a“Greener Every Day”
initiative, which includes working with
reclaimed silver and gold,tracking the origin
of all gemstones,and planting bamboo seed-
lings (900,000 to date) to offset the carbon
emissions produced by the company’s operations.
As for Delevingne, who was photographed for
the new campaign on a black sand beach, in the
pristine waters of the romantic Amankila luxury
resort, and relaxing in a hammock against the
island’s breathtaking backdrop, she says that the
experience was“magical and one that I will never
forget.” The model also got to work alongside
artisans at the John Hardy design compound, an
open-air studio–cum–workshop–cum–organic farm
nestled among banyan trees.“You really see the love
that goes into it.There’s a community of artists
creating together in a beautiful, tranquil setting.”
Her favorite piece?“The silver Coil wrap bracelet,”
she says.“It shows you don’t need to sacrifice lux-
ury to be conscious of the environment.” I
Model designer
Delevingne said that meeting
the workers and handcrafting
pieces (above) at John Hardy’s
self-sustaining studio near
Ubud in Bali was a highlight of
her trip: “I never wanted to
leave. I want to live there.”
John Hardy necklace, $12,000. 888-838-3022.
John Hardy
earrings,
$15,900
John Hardy
ring, $10,000
COURTESYJOHNHARDY.DELEVINGNE(TOP):BYRONKALET