JCK Asks…Guy Bedarida



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:
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+ JCK Asks…Loree Rodkin
+ JCK Asks…Ivanka Trump

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