Selected by Damien Dernoncourt, Non-Executive Chairman of John Hardy, EcoChic Design Award 2014/15 finalist Laurensia Salim went on an educational trip to leading sustainable jewellery brand, John Hardy’s design and production facilities in Bali to experience their design, production and business philosophies.
Getting a hand on sustainable fashion design is one thing. But grasping sustainable business philosophies, which salute the triple bottom line of people, planet and profits, is another.
EcoChic Design Award 2014/15 Special Prize winner, Laurensia Salim, had the chance to stretch her business horizons as she claimed her winning educational prize of visiting John Hardy’s design and production facilities in Bali in June 2015. With lush paddy fields and mountains framing her four-day trip, she learned how John Hardy balances their business success with a commitment to sustainability as they apply environmental accountability, social responsibility and cultural preservation into their operations. Laurensia explored the surrounding community and projects that the brand supports and tried her hand at jewelry making, observing the intricate stages using sustainable methods and materials that are required to make every piece of their luxury jewelry.
"Seeing with my own eyes how John Hardy produces their hand-crafted products in a sustainable way was incredible," Laurensia shared with us soon after touching back to ground in her Singapore home. "I am so inspired about how they include local communities in their business, and how they incorporate traditions, sustainability and design together. This is something that I will apply to my own future business."
You can see some of this with your own eyes too. We followed Laurensia’s experience in our video to share best practice in integrating sustainable values into business. Watch it here.
This article first appeared in the EcoChic Design Award 2016 magazine.