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
Weekly QuizOct 03, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
Introducing My Next Question, the PodcastA monthly podcast series for jewelry professionals
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
PodcastsNov 27, 2025
Test Podcast With VideoTest Podcast With Video. New interview with Ada Lovelace.
PodcastsNov 25, 2025
Test New Podcast PostAbstract for tests. New Podcast interview with John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morison.
ColumnistsOct 09, 2024
Peter Smith: 7 Things to Know When Selling LuxuryAhead of the holiday season, Smith delves into the often subconscious reasons people buy luxury products for themselves or their loved ones.
AuctionsOct 09, 2024
Rolex Worn on Apollo 14 Mission Up for SaleThe GMT-Master “Pepsi” belonging to astronaut Edgar Mitchell is a standout in RR Auction’s online “Space Auction,” going on now.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
PGI Launches New Virtual Sales TrainingRetail sales associates can access the video series on mobile to refresh their selling skills.
Policies & IssuesOct 09, 2024
GJNRF: Reaching Out, Rebuilding Futures For 25 years, India’s Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation has provided aid in the wake of war, natural disasters, and global crises.
AuctionsOct 08, 2024
Sotheby’s Selling Jewelry That Belonged to a Bulgarian TsarThe November auction will feature a collection of jewels owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family.
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Rio Tinto Begins New Phase of Production That Will Extend Diavik’s LifeCommercial production has begun underground at the Canadian diamond mine’s A21 pipe.
SurveysOct 08, 2024
What to Know About Online Shopping This Holiday SeasonDeloitte and Adobe Analytics shared their insights on the season, from the retail sales forecast to the role of generative AI.
CollectionsOct 08, 2024
Sylvie Adds New Men’s BandsThe Texas-based jeweler collaborated with luxury clothing brand Uncommon Man on men’s bands designed with European influences.
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Is Current Diamond Industry Turbulence Shaping a ‘New Normal’? Industry players have found ways to cope with market conditions while working to reshape themselves in the face of emerging realities.
SourcingOct 07, 2024
Rio Tinto to Offer 76 Diamonds in 2024 Beyond Rare Tender The sales event, in its second year, features a selection of rare diamonds from the miner’s Argyle and Diavik diamond mines.
CollectionsOct 07, 2024
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi Partners With Heller Jewelers on New CollectionA portion of the proceeds from the “Always Dream” collection will go to Yamaguchi's foundation, supporting early childhood literacy.
SurveysOct 07, 2024
Hill & Co.’s New ‘Business of Jewelry Report’ Is OutThe first in what is slated to be a series of in-depth reports from the consulting company, it focuses on shortening supply chains.
