INTRODUCING HIJAU

Home

INTRODUCING HIJAU

Written by Magaly Fuentes

United by a shared passion for the environment, Guy Bedarida, Creative Director and Designer of John Hardy, and supermodel Angela Lindvall have partnered to create Hijau, a line of recycled and sustainable silver jewelry for the John Hardy Bamboo Collection. Hijau, which means “green” in Balinese, is inspired by the stunning look of sliced bamboo, resulting in the ultimate representation of beauty, creativity and sustainability.

The story of John Hardy jewelry starts in 1975 when John Hardy, a young Canadian art student, moved to the captivating Indonesian island of Bali and began to study Balinese jewelry-making techniques with master artisans whose ancestors were goldsmiths to the island’s former royal courts. As Hardy combined the techniques he learned with innovative new designs, he formed the company in 1989. In 1990 Head Designer Guy Bedarida joined the company to develop the Bali design studio, bringing the traditions of haute joaillerie and introducing techniques of fine jewelry illustration.

The launch of the Hijau Collection emphasizes John Hardy’s mission to be ‘Greener Every Day’ as their initiative is fittingly titled. John Hardy programs include sustainable advertising, carbon offset, planting bamboo seedlings for every piece of the Bamboo Collection that is purchased, green workshop buildings in Bali built of local natural materials such as bamboo, adobe and thatch, and offices in Hong Kong built according to strict green guidelines.

Lindvall, a vegetarian and devoted environmentalist who is also the founder and president of the Collage Foundation, an organization that promotes sustainability and environmentally conscious choices among young people, was immediately enthralled when she visited the John Hardy headquarters. Lindvall was both impressed and inspired by the green values of the company and the incredible versatility and beauty of the Bamboo plant. Lindvall will be the spokesperson for the green initiatives of John Hardy.

Included in the breath-taking Hijau line are rings, bracelets, earrings and a large cuff, with prices ranging from $295 to $3,000, as well as a woven organic cotton cord bracelet, retailing for $95, which was especially designed by Lindvall. One hundred percent of the proceeds for the cotton cord bracelet will be donated to ForestEthics, an organization that protects endangered forests, wildlife and human well-being. 10% of sales from the rest of the Hijau collection will also be donated.