Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/720642
J ust when you thought River Oaks District had it all, jewelry brand John Hardy debuts its first freestanding U.S. boutique in Houston, along- side luxe neighbors Dior, Tom Ford, Hermès, Harry Winston, and Cartier. Hardy's new digs may be glittering and modern, but the eco-conscious company — which is based halfway around the world in enchanting Ubud, Bali — employs more than 700 Balinese artists and crafts- men whose artisanship and sense of community is the brand's ethos. Preserving mas- ter craftsmanship and Balinese tra- dition, ensuring s u s t a i n a b i l i t y , and establishing a ZEN BY FRANCINE BALLARD A BALINESE JEWELER JOHN HARDY MAKES A POWERFUL SPLASH. mission to provide training, mentoring, and financial support for Balinese orphans keeps Hardy chiefs awake at night. But the message is consistent and on point: Past campaigns have promoted "Wear Bamboo, Plant Bamboo," assigning a portion of sales of the stunning silver and gold Bamboo collection to fund plantings in Asia. And you thought John Hardy was just another pretty jewel. The artisan-made collections are crafted with 100 percent certified recycled gold and silver. Poetic bead bracelets in ruby, lapis, malachite, and moonstone symbolize power and strength; Legends Cobra, Macan, and Naga collections represent mythical talismans, and new is the woven gold and silver Modern Chain collection, inspired by a men's bracelet first produced in 1992 and requiring the work of at least five artisans and 15 hours to create. As part of a global brand transformation led by CEO Robert Hanson, John Hardy will open a second U.S. store in New York City later this year. But Hous- ton bows first. In the new corner jewel box in River Oaks District, Balinese tea is proffered, scent and sound envelop, and power and strength, we do believe, emanate from the magnificent gemstones. John Hardy Bali workshop John Hardy Bali showroom John Hardy bamboo hinged bangle in ster- ling silver and rosewood, $1,295 Legends Cobra silver bracelet with citrine beads, $2,100 Above: Legends silver cobra ring with oval tanzanite, $3,900 Left: Sterling rectangular bracelets with pusher clasps, $795 to $1,495 Bali workrooms PALACE of ITS 80