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.”
More on Majors
The Latest
SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
Weekly QuizOct 15, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
WatchesOct 15, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb’s New Movado Watches Are Made for Your Wrist StackMovado teamed up with the New York-based fine jewelry designer on a new collection of Movado Museum Velura watches.
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.
SourcingOct 15, 2026
Signet Jewelers, Richemont May Join Bidder for De Beers, Report SaysThe two companies are reportedly in talks to join the Global Diamond Consortium, led by former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny, as per Bloomberg.
CollectionsOct 15, 2026
Wolf x Marla Aaron's New Jewelry Box Is for Some (Not All) of Your ThingsThe “Some of the Things” box follows the two larger “Everything” box designs with the look and function of antique sewing and toolboxes.
IndependentsOct 14, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Coleman and Mitchell ClarkFourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.
SourcingOct 14, 2026
Manuel Marcial de Gomar, ‘The Emerald Whisperer,’ Dies at 90The gem hunter, whose 70-year career was defined by adventure and exploration, is remembered for his steadfast faith and sense of wonder.
FinancialsOct 14, 2026
LVMH’s Jewelry Brands Turn in ‘Very Good’ Performance in Q3 Tiffany & Co. continued its full-scale store renovation project while Bulgari’s high jewelry collection generated “record-breaking revenue.”
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2026
Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference Releases 2026 ProgramThis year’s sessions feature leading voices from human rights, legal, and conservation organizations.
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection WholesaleThe jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Sean DunnDunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.
AuctionsOct 13, 2026
Christie's Geneva To Auction 'Bulgari Pink' DiamondThe 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers’ New Candle Smells Like HomeThe “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
TechnologyOct 13, 2026
GemFind Is a New JA Member Benefit Partner The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
AuctionsOct 09, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Goes Unsold at UK Jewelry Auction The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
SourcingOct 08, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to BrooklynThe trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.
Events & AwardsOct 08, 2026
Pattons Fine Jewelry Sweeps Local Design ContestAra Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.
