from left: Lisa Linhardt, Tara St James, Aga Smiechowska; the winners of the DIY with IOU competition

This just in! The DIY with IOU and Source4Style worldwide sustainable design competition just announced its winners – Among them are Lisa Linhardt (NY, NY), Tara St James (Brooklyn, NY), and Aga Smiechowska (Poland). Congratulations also to Francisca Pineda who won the Ecouterre Reader’s Choice Award for her submission. It is an honor to be chosen among this incredible set of designers/makers!

Stay tuned to pre-order your Linhardt design and other select garments from the competition on fab.com starting in June! We will be sure to announce when the garments go into production!

You can view my video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHnkgIeK1pE

In this design I let the material speak to me, as it is the key element in the IOU Project’s line. Madras is reversible – so taking it to the next level I wanted a garment with multiple uses that would inherently be sustainable without saying a word. Madras is lightweight and summery so thought a perfect beach accessory would work. The result is a reusable bag, a sun dress, a beach blanket, and a long vest all on one, with each design transforming itself completely. To save from making multiple patterns in multiple sizes (2,4,6, 8 etc…) for manufacturing, I wanted two patterns: S/M and L/XL. The bag, blanket and vest were void of size so my concern was the sun dress, as I had to make the garment fit almost any body type. I chose a cowl neck because of both its drape-like and expansive qualities, and an A-line skirt that ties in the back to fit and flatter almost any waist size. The mix of cutting the fabric on a bias (also for allowance of stretch in the bodice), and the addition of layers / pockets in contrasting horizontal / vertical shapes allow the manufacturer / craftsman some artistic license when working with the pattern. This allows each piece to vary and be unique, which is an important part of the IOU brand. Overall, I wanted to be careful about “over-designing” the garment and instead create a simple clever pattern that gets the most out of just a few meters. For me, this was about celebrating the beauty of the madras fabric and its versatility – in addition to making a garment that really reflected the IOU brand not only in aesthetics but in concept. Whatever happens, I am looking forward to making one for my next beach vacation, which would make my luggage even lighter! Thanks for the opportunity to showcase my work!

Use #1: The Re-Usable Bag

Use #2: The Sun Dress

Sun Dress - Details

Sun Dress - Details

Use #3: The Beach Blanket

Use #4: The Long Vest

Long Vest - Details

The reason for my application was to get my work in front of 10 judges who I consider pioneers in the realm of sustainability in fashion, and help grow my business with the opportunities offered. I wish we had these type of contests in the realm of “sustainable jewelry.” I also wish we had “Save the Diamond District” as fashion has “Save the Garment Center” – but fact is that us jewelers do not have these competitions regarding sustainability, especially this level with this type of opportunity to grow your own your line. The jewelry world lags far behind the garment word when it comes to sustainability. However, the IOU Project, Source 4 Style, and Linhardt Jewelry all have the same goals in mind: Support for Artisan Craftsmanship, Local Manufacturing, Supply Chain Transparency, and utilizing Sustainable Materials. Whether your medium is fabric or metal, it is possible to use Design as a means of communication, which ultimately was my goal.

If you like the design, please comment and/or vote for it here on Ecouterre.

We are proud to announce that Linhardt jewelry will be on exhibit at this year’s SOFA show at the Park Avenue Armory in New York City from April 20-23. The Aaron Faber Gallery will be representing Linhardt work, including the debut of “Opus”, a new jewelry series which has not yet been released to the public.

The “Sculpture, Objects, and Functional Art” show brings together the leading decorative arts galleries in the world for contemporary studio art. Linhardt is honored to be a part of the show, and hopes you can attend as there will be an array of interesting work throughout the entire exhibit!

Some gorgeous images shot by Conor Doherty for Papercut Magazine. Featuring the Linhardt Spike Earrings, Bar Ring, Bullet Ring and Loop Ring. Thank you for including the work! More here:

Many Thanks to local craftsman and artist extraordinaire Stephane Hubert who we commissioned for a new Linhardt sign! Made with reclaimed pine, CNC routing, metal pendant frame and LED lighting. Check out his other work here and come on by the gallery at 156 First Avenue in the East Village to check out the sign in person! Here’s a little peek of the piece at Stephane’s studio before installation (below), as well as the CNC routing here:

above: Mastergoldsmith & Gallerist Hilde Leiss

I am both thrilled and honored to announce that select Linhardt “Signature” jewelry will be carried by Galerie Hilde Leiss in Hamburg, Germany, starting April 2012.

The moment a former professor introduced me to the work of Hilde Leiss, I felt a deep release of sorts. I felt unusually connected to her big, bold, artful, clever, unusual, POWERFUL… not-just-any-woman’s jewelry. There was something about this woman’s art that spoke to me and truly inspired me. I knew I had to meet this Hilde Leiss because somehow I would “get” her and she would “get” me.

Many moons later when Hilde Leiss walked into my gallery in New York, there was an instant connection. Hilde was dressed with a black cape pinned with a beautiful brooch, with all fingers adorned in the craziest of rings – and somehow 5 minutes into the conversation I felt like we had known each other for quite some time. Alongside Hilde was the ever-charming Wolf Keller, Facilitator of the Galerie, whose energy completely commands and brightens a room. I am delighted to be working with them both on this new venture, which will be to house my work at the Galerie Hilde Leiss on an ongoing basis.

Check out their photo slideshow: Galerie Hilde Leiss Kaleidoskop as well as their announcement of Linhardt here! SO excited for what lies ahead!

above: Wolf Keller; Facilitator of the Galerie Hilde Leiss

above: Madras handmade textiles, which are to be used to fabricate designs

Source 4 Style, the leading place to search and source the world’s leading sustainable textiles, and The IOU Project, a cutting-edge fashion label connecting consumers directly to artisan-producers, announced DIY with IOU – a sustainable design competition to find the next designer for The IOU Project “Made in NYC” Capsule Collection.

Ten finalists, including Linhardt, were chosen by 10 judges to create a special garment or accessory. The winner of this next phase (to fabricate the garment/accessory for production) will also be featured on an exclusive sale on Fab.com and through a trunk show at ABC Carpet & Home.

Entrants hailed from all around the world – from Japan to Scotland, New Zealand to Canada. Congratulations to all fellow finalists! Next step is to take our sketches and bring life to these ideas! Stay tuned!

Linhardt Design, the New York-based fine and fashion jewelry house, is looking for a trustworthy part-time sales associate to manage its East Village jewelry store several afternoons a week.

Job description: Linhardt Design Studio is a small jewelry shop located in the East Village, open Tuesday through Friday: 4-8pm, Saturdays: 12-7pm and Sundays: 12-5pm. The sales associate would run the shop several afternoons a week (exact schedule to be mutually agreed upon based on associate’s availability; with a minimum of 20 hours per week). This would include: opening and closing the store, welcoming customers and helping them select and purchase jewelry pieces, monitoring inventory and maintaining a tidy store, and respecting security procedures at all times. Extensive training is offered to each new associate.

Qualifications: Work ethics come first, relevant skill set and experience come second.
The candidate needs to:
- demonstrate outstanding character: be trustworthy, reliable, punctual; be organized, hard working, street-smart
- be engaging, helpful, and knowledgeable with customers and represent the brand’s sophistication; show strong customer service orientation
- have a strong interest in the product and the sustainable practices that are core to Linhardt Design
Experience in luxury retail or a high-end service environment is a plus.

Compensation: The position starts at an hourly wage plus bonus and with opportunity for health insurance as well as a pay increase based on performance. Linhardt Design offers a supportive and exciting work environment.

How to apply: Please send resume to “lisa (at) linhardtdesign.com”  In the body of the email write why you are interested in the position and describe your key qualifications.

Check out this 60 Minutes segment on India’s Obsession with Gold.