By Cassell Ferere originally published on Forbes.com

Dragon Hemp Founder Kevin Menard Calls On Former Ralph Lauren Executive To Elevate The Retail Experience

Founded by Kevin Manard about a year after the first few waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dragon Hemp is the new brand on the retail blocks of Sag Harbor. The concept of blending Western physical medicine assessments and diagnostics with traditional Chinese medicine is at the center of the brand's mission to heal. In The Hamptons, wellness provider Manard wears Stone Island cargo pants hanging over Stan Smith trainers and a casually-worn blue button shirt to work, restoring patrons from ailments regularly. 

Dragon Hemp is a brand that combines CBD and hemp extracts with Chinese herbs to address various conditions. Conditions all pertain to the rejuvenation of the body, creating an oasis and fountain of youth in the Sag Habor community. Curing inflammation with advanced needling techniques, Manard has already established himself within the community, expanding his treatment with patients to his fashionable and minimally-designed retail space on Main Street.

With his treatment office steps away from the newly relaunched Dragon Hemp apothecary, Manard called on a fashion interior design specialist from Ralph Lauren to design his brick-and-mortar space. Going over the raw space with a sartorial touch has made the Dragon Hemp storefront a shining jewel among vintage retail aesthetics.

The Dragon Hemp Apothecary, designed by Alfredo Paredes, is a resident of Shelter Island, just north of Sag Harbor, and a friend of founder Kevin Manard. Parades was the Ralph Lauren Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer for 33 years. He designed all the stores globally for Ralph Lauren, and Manard had known Parades for a long time before he sought his help designing the apothecary. 

Paredes has had an extensive career in crafting the many Ralph Lauren retail locations and flagships. None, more memorable than his days in opening "The Mansion" in New York City. Paredes told InteriorDesign.net earlier this year, "I heard Ralph Lauren were hiring people to do visuals for the big store opening on Madison Avenue, the big mansion. I walked in four months before it opened and was part of the team that installed it. It opened my eyes to so many possibilities in the creative world." 

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