MajorsSep 15, 2022
Reed Krakoff, Former Head of Design at Tiffany, Joins John Hardy MajorsJan 25, 2023
John Hardy Names New CEO
Luxury retail executive Frédéric Levy has taken on the role.
Frédéric Levy, a luxury retail executive with more than 20 years of experience, is the new CEO of John Hardy.
New York—John Hardy has named luxury retail executive Frédéric Levy as its new CEO.
Former CEO Kareem Gahed, who took on the role in 2019, stepped down after a total of six years with the jewelry brand.
Levy has more than two decades of experience in the luxury goods and retail space, taking on leadership roles overseeing e-commerce business and digital and marketing strategies.
Most recently, he was the president of the international business unit at footwear manufacturer Alpargatas Group, where he managed the Havaianas brand outside of Brazil.
From 2015 to 2020, he was president and CEO of wine technology brand Coravin, spearheading its growth in the United States and Europe and expanding into new markets.
Prior to that, he was president of Nespresso USA for nine years.
“Throughout his career, Fred has demonstrated a remarkable talent for understanding how to drive market penetration for a variety of unique global brands,” said J. Michael Chu, global co-CEO of L Catterton and chairman of John Hardy’s board of directors.
Private equity firm L Catterton is the majority shareholder of John Hardy. The company was founded in 2016 by Catterton, LVMH, and Groupe Arnault, the family holding company of LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault.
“L Catterton believes there is significant opportunity for the John Hardy brand globally, and we are confident that Fred is the right leader to guide the company through its next phase of growth while staying true to the distinctive heritage that sets the company apart,” said Chu.
He also thanked former CEO Gahed for his contributions to the company.
Regarding his departure, Gahed said, “I am pleased to be handing the reins to someone as talented and capable as Fred. With his marketing and digital expertise, Fred brings the right set of skills to lead John Hardy through the next chapter in the company’s history, and I look forward to watching the brand’s continued growth and success.”
Related stories will be right here …
Former CEO Kareem Gahed, who took on the role in 2019, stepped down after a total of six years with the jewelry brand.
Levy has more than two decades of experience in the luxury goods and retail space, taking on leadership roles overseeing e-commerce business and digital and marketing strategies.
Most recently, he was the president of the international business unit at footwear manufacturer Alpargatas Group, where he managed the Havaianas brand outside of Brazil.
From 2015 to 2020, he was president and CEO of wine technology brand Coravin, spearheading its growth in the United States and Europe and expanding into new markets.
Prior to that, he was president of Nespresso USA for nine years.
“Throughout his career, Fred has demonstrated a remarkable talent for understanding how to drive market penetration for a variety of unique global brands,” said J. Michael Chu, global co-CEO of L Catterton and chairman of John Hardy’s board of directors.
Private equity firm L Catterton is the majority shareholder of John Hardy. The company was founded in 2016 by Catterton, LVMH, and Groupe Arnault, the family holding company of LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault.
“L Catterton believes there is significant opportunity for the John Hardy brand globally, and we are confident that Fred is the right leader to guide the company through its next phase of growth while staying true to the distinctive heritage that sets the company apart,” said Chu.
He also thanked former CEO Gahed for his contributions to the company.
Regarding his departure, Gahed said, “I am pleased to be handing the reins to someone as talented and capable as Fred. With his marketing and digital expertise, Fred brings the right set of skills to lead John Hardy through the next chapter in the company’s history, and I look forward to watching the brand’s continued growth and success.”
In a statement, Levy expressed his excitement for taking on the role.
“John Hardy has a unique and authentic artistic foundation, and I am thrilled to be working with our creative chairman, Reed Krakoff, and the rest of our gifted team to take advantage of the significant opportunities ahead,” he said.
Krakoff, the former head of design at Tiffany & Co., joined John Hardy last year and is also a strategic advisor to L Catterton.
Levy added, “Together we will find creative ways to grow the John Hardy brand globally while staying true to our brand values.”
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.
