The John Hardy creative director is taking the Indonesia-based company to new Bali highs
Guy Bedarida spent his childhood moving with his family through a variety of cultural hot spots: Paris, Rome, Florence, Vienna, Tunisia. Now, he finds himself in another artistic haven: As the head designer of John Hardy—a position he’s held since 1999—Bedarida lives and works in Bali, supervising the creation of the brand’s signature ethnic-inspired, hand-hammered silver designs. We’ve heard the Hardy headquarters described as an “eco-paradise.” No surprise, then, that under Bedarida’s watch, a number of jewelry initiatives with an environmental tie-in (supermodel Angela Lindvall’s recycled metal QVC collection, Angela by John Hardy, for example) have made the company greener than ever.
Bedarida’s pet rabbit, Joelle
Age: 47
Number of years in the biz: 25
Number of employees you oversee: A team of 30 designers and carvers. There are a total of 650 employees who work in the compound.
Family/pets: A rabbit who just gave birth to four babies
Describe your personal style: French/Italian casual chic
Cinta earrings with Marble Cone Shells and gemstones
First piece you ever designed: A set of earrings and necklace for a royal family
The single piece of jewelry you’re most proud of: The Kick Cuff, which is engineered to create an ease of wear for its owner
Favorite gemstones: Spinels, because they come in so many vivid colors
John Hardy Classic Chain Kick Cuff with black sapphires
What do you like about working in silver? I like its versatility. Shiny, matte, hammered, smooth, with ruthenium. Silver almost becomes a different material each time.
What will we see from the John Hardy and the Cinta collections in 2012? Quintessential John Hardy style, but with pieces that are lighter, younger. A new take on our Bamboo motif with bright colors. In brief, expect new shapes and new colors!
Best piece of advice you ever received: Remain true to yourself!
Naga gold and silver dragon head ring with red spinel
Worst piece of advice: Be a chameleon!
First job ever: When my mother made me clean my room!
How did you get started designing jewelry? I always wanted to be a jewelry designer. I made a portfolio, got an introduction at Boucheron, and that was it.
If you weren’t designing jewelry, what would you be doing? I would love to be an architect.
Jewelry you’re wearing right now: Everything from our Naga collection: a new ring with a dragon head with red sapphire eyes. Two bracelets with dragon’s heads: one in black sapphire pavé, the other one in white sapphire pavé.
iStockphoto
Five items on your desk right now: A silver pen, a drawing from the new collection, my iPhone, two prototypes from Fall 2012
On your playlist: Adele’s new album
Exercise regimen: Hitting the gym three times a week
What did you have for breakfast? French press coffee, some tea, some yogurt with granola and honey
Guilty pleasure: White chocolate
Drink (daytime/evening): Champagne
First website you check every day (not your own!): French and American newspapers
Scent: Any scent from Nasomatto
How do you unwind? A glass of champagne with friends
What’s your favorite thing to do in Bali? I love to visit my favorite antique dealers.
Superstitious? No.
Book you’re reading: Patti Smith’s biography
Book you’ve been meaning to get to: Any book by Proust
Preferred news source: Television
Main means of transportation: Car
iStockphoto
Favorite movie: Any Fellini movie
Who would play you in your life story? I would be flattered if anyone would want to play me.
Personal motto: Enjoy life to the fullest.
More JCK Asks… from JCKonline.com:
+ JCK Asks…Christian Tse
+ JCK Asks…Loree Rodkin
+ JCK Asks…Ivanka Trump