Cool Hunting

by Kelsey Keith

Tucked between a check cashing service and a vacant lot on First Avenue in New York's East Village is a tiny storefront with funny hours. Sometimes closed at noon and occasionally rocking out past midnight, it's a sure sign that Linhardt isn't your typical jewelry store. Owner Lisa Linhardt is a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to design, with a resume listing photography, graphic design, metalsmithing and more—her liberal approach harmonizes well with the inventive interior executed by duo Wary Meyers.

The shop's wares are all handmade and sustainable, incorporating materials like cork, recycled platinum and gold, the Colombian tagau nut and horn collected after being shed by the animal (pictured below). Lisa designs and crafts most of the jewelry in a workshop behind the shop, but also offers select pieces by national and international designers with a similar mission and aesthetic. Most are fairly under-the-radar, though Spanish jewelry designer Raquel Moreno is also stocked at Bendel.

Ready-to-wear pieces are squarely affordable—knick-knacks start around $40 while the most expensive necklace tops out at $400. Also, Linhardt is a one-stop shop, as Lisa does a brisk business in custom orders for those looking to go the extra mile. Engagement rings designed using ethically-sourced gems are popular.

Check out the new e-commerce shop on Linhardt's website set to launch this spring, as well as a fine arts exhibition of Lisa's work at the Aldridge Contemporary Art Museum, opening 19 April 2009.

linhardt design studio
156 First Avenue
East Village, New York 10009 map
tel. + 1 917 748 9000