John Loring, a prominent figure in American design who served as Tiffany & Company’s design director for three decades, died on June 6 at his home in Palm Beach, Florida. He was 86. His son, Benjamin Havrilak, confirmed his passing.

Loring took the helm at Tiffany in 1979, transitioning from a career as a painter and journalist to oversee the creative direction of one of the nation’s most prestigious luxury retailers. During his tenure, Tiffany experienced significant growth, expanding from just seven stores to over 300 worldwide by the time he retired in 2009. Under his leadership, the company shifted its focus, helping to democratize American luxury retail by moving away from an elitist image to one that was more inclusive and accessible.

More than a design director, Loring was regarded as a tastemaker who shaped style across fashion, decor, and social events, influencing elites in the United States and Europe. He eschewed the traditional role of taste arbiters, cautioning against conformity and promoting imagination in design and lifestyle. His expertise and cultivated charisma made him a sought-after presence at high-profile gatherings, particularly in New York’s Upper East Side and Paris’s Seventh Arrondissement.

Loring was only the third person to hold the position of design director at Tiffany since its founding in 1837, following Louis Comfort Tiffany and Van Day Truex. His tenure is notable for championing designers such as Paloma Picasso and for personally designing iconic pieces, including the Atlas watch, inspired by the statue at Tiffany’s Fifth Avenue flagship.

Born John Robbins Loring on November 23, 1939, in Chicago, he was raised partly in Arizona and later attended Yale University, graduating with a degree in English before moving to Paris to study art. He initially embarked on a career as a painter, gaining commissions like a portrait of Yves Saint Laurent, and worked in various art-related roles, including as New York bureau chief for Architectural Digest in the 1970s.

A fortuitous meeting with fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert led to an introduction to Walter Hoving, then chairman of Tiffany, which started Loring’s long association with the company. Tiffany’s ownership changed hands several times during his tenure, including a period under Avon and, later, a sale to investors, before eventually being acquired by LVMH in 2021.

Outside Tiffany, Loring continued to contribute to the design world as design director emeritus and worked with Tivoli Gardens, a historic amusement park in Copenhagen. He never married and is survived by his adopted son.

Throughout his career, Loring remained committed to the idea that good taste is innate but can be distorted by external influences. His legacy lies not only in the products he helped create but also in his broader impact on American luxury and style culture.