MajorsAug 05, 2022
Former Nike Executive Joins Team at David Yurman MajorsSep 15, 2022
Reed Krakoff, Former Head of Design at Tiffany, Joins John Hardy
Krakoff is the jewelry brand’s new creative chairman and strategic advisor to L Catterton, the private equity firm that owns John Hardy.
A file photo of Reed Krakoff from his time at Tiffany & Co. Krakoff, who worked at Coach for 16 years and spent four years at Tiffany as chief artistic officer, is now creative chairman at John Hardy. It is a newly created role for the company.
New York—Reed Krakoff, who spent nearly two decades as creative director at Coach and about four years at Tiffany & Co., is now joining John Hardy.
The jewelry brand announced Wednesday it has named Krakoff to the newly created role of creative chairman as well as strategic advisor to L Catterton, the private equity firm that holds a majority stake in John Hardy.
As creative chairman, Krakoff will work alongside CEO Kareem Gahed and oversee the creative and artistic direction of the business. He’ll also become a minority stakeholder in John Hardy.
“John Hardy has a strong reputation for its authentic combination of artistry, sustainability, and craftsmanship, and I believe the brand has tremendous untapped potential,” Krakoff said.
A graduate of Parsons The New School of Design in New York, Krakoff has more than 30 years’ experience with luxury brands.
He rose to prominence during his time with Coach (1996-2013), most of which was spent as president and executive creative director. He is credited with overhauling and reviving the brand’s image and turning it into a $5 billion business.
Related stories will be right here …
The jewelry brand announced Wednesday it has named Krakoff to the newly created role of creative chairman as well as strategic advisor to L Catterton, the private equity firm that holds a majority stake in John Hardy.
As creative chairman, Krakoff will work alongside CEO Kareem Gahed and oversee the creative and artistic direction of the business. He’ll also become a minority stakeholder in John Hardy.
“John Hardy has a strong reputation for its authentic combination of artistry, sustainability, and craftsmanship, and I believe the brand has tremendous untapped potential,” Krakoff said.
A graduate of Parsons The New School of Design in New York, Krakoff has more than 30 years’ experience with luxury brands.
He rose to prominence during his time with Coach (1996-2013), most of which was spent as president and executive creative director. He is credited with overhauling and reviving the brand’s image and turning it into a $5 billion business.
From 2017 to 2021, Krakoff served as chief artistic officer at Tiffany & Co., lending his touch to the jeweler’s in-store restaurant, the Blue Box Café, which opened in 2018; the collection of “Everyday Objects,” which included the $1,000 tin can that lit up the internet right before the café’s opening; and the “Paper Flowers” jewelry collection.
He left the company shortly after LVMH’s acquisition of the jeweler was complete, exiting alongside a handful of other executives in early 2021.
Krakoff is a three-time winner of the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s “Accessory Designer of the Year” award and serves on the CFDA’s board of directors.
“L Catterton has been a strong believer in the growth opportunities ahead for John Hardy, and we are confident that, with Reed’s artistic eye, the brand’s distinctive heritage will continue to be set apart,” said Michael Chu, global co-CEO of L Catterton and chair of John Hardy’s board of directors.
“L Catterton will also benefit from Reed’s role as a strategic advisor across select investments and future acquisitions.”
L Catterton, which focuses on buyouts of consumer-facing brands, acquired John Hardy in 2014. It reportedly was exploring a sale of the brand earlier this year, before the deal-making market softened.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Majors
The Latest
PodcastsAug 19, 2026
Episode 8: Diamond Industry Update With David Bonaparte & Ronnie VanderLindenThe industry veterans join the podcast to discuss diamond marketing, the FTC Jewelry Guides, and lobbying for lower tariffs.
Policies & IssuesAug 19, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Embraces Dupes With Trade-In ProgramThe jeweler is encouraging customers who own lookalike rings to come into the store and trade them for credit towards an authentic piece.
SourcingAug 19, 2026
Vasant Mehta, a Dedicated Diamond Industry Leader, Dies at 81Mehta led India’s GJEPC through the 2008 financial crisis and was respected worldwide for his wisdom, integrity, and knowledge.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
CrimeAug 18, 2026
2 California Men Arrested in Fatal Vehicle Smash RobberyOne is the driver who allegedly crashed a car into a Sacramento jewelry store in April, striking a 71-year-old employee who later died.
Weekly QuizAug 13, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
ColumnistsAug 18, 2026
Peter Smith: The IKEA Effect and Bridal Branding In a new column, Peter Smith posits that people actually enjoy putting together IKEA furniture, and the same is true for engagement rings.
CrimeAug 18, 2026
Thieves Snatch $1M in Jewelry From New Jersey Jeweler9lakha Jewelers in Iselin, New Jersey, was the target of a smash-and-grab robbery on Aug. 8.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
Lab-GrownAug 18, 2026
Ring Concierge, Kendall Jenner’s Tequila Brand Collab on GiveawayThe jeweler has partnered with 818 Tequila to gift lab-grown diamond studs to a bride-to-be and their bridal party.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
Exhibition on Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Studios to Open at The MetThe exhibition will feature more than 100 drawings of stained-glass lampshades, windows, and more, many created by women and émigrés.
CollectionsAug 17, 2026
Marquise Diamonds Dance in Spinelli Kilcollin’s ‘Wren’ CollectionMarquise-cut diamonds in drop charms are the center of the new collection, reflecting the movement of a dancer in modular styles.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
There’s a New Jewelry Show Coming to FloridaThe inaugural Fort Lauderdale Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show will be held from Jan. 28 through Feb. 1, 2027.
IndependentsAug 14, 2026
Smyth Jewelers to Open Fourth LocationThe family-owned jeweler will open a new showroom in Bel Air, Maryland, this fall.
CrimeAug 14, 2026
Wife of Man Convicted in Jeweler’s Murder Sentenced for Conspiracy Amanda Ileana Hernandez is married to Carlos Hernandez, one of two men in prison for the 2024 murder of Michigan jeweler Hussein Murray.
TrendsAug 14, 2026
Paul Morelli’s Latest ‘Wavey Vine’ Earrings Embrace ColorThe reimagined jewel, our Piece of the Week, trades the diamonds in the original 1998 design for blue, pink, yellow, and green sapphires.
Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales FallIn the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.
AuctionsAug 13, 2026
This Gold Cadbury ‘Conundrum’ Egg Set a World Auction RecordThe 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.
SourcingAug 13, 2026
2,488-Carat Diamond, Largest Found in Botswana, Has a New Owner Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.
CollectionsAug 13, 2026
John Hardy Infuses ‘Icon,’ ‘Heishi’ Collections with ColorThe expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.
Lab-GrownAug 13, 2026
Jean Dousset Opens Third StoreThe lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Eshed-Gemstar on the Painstaking Process of Cutting ‘The Legacy Emerald’The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Elderly NYC Woman Targeted in Jewelry Swap SchemeTwo suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Another Diamond Mine Poised to CloseFinsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Jewelry Store Employee Gets 20 Years to Life in Choking Death of BossMichel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.
MajorsAug 12, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names New SVP of SalesLongtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.
AuctionsAug 11, 2026
Verdura Unicorn Brooch With Royal Connection Up for Auction The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.
