Ed Hardy Shirts Combine Tattoo Art and LA Culture
2008
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Ed Hardy shirts are based on the original artwork of California tattoo artist Don Ed Hardy, who has become world famous due to his outstanding technical skill and remarkable creativity. His designs have been translated by the designer Christian Audigier to create a fashion sensation that’s worn by over 5,000 female and male celebrities. This wearable tattoo clothing is plastered with creatures such as mermaids, snakes, butterflies, tigers and peacocks, as well as edgy skulls and daggers.Don Ed Hardy began his career as a tattoo artist after receiving his B.F.A. degree in printmaking from the San Francisco Art Institute in 1967. He lived in Japan to study with a traditional tattoo master in the 70s and 80s.Don Ed Hardy’s ability to experiment through 40 years of tattooing experience has earned him the moniker of “the Godfather of the Modern Tattoo.” In his use of art histories from the cultures such as; Cholo, American and Japanese he has shown a rare talent and creativity for combing these icons with designs associated with hotrod, surfing and tattoo cultures. The result of his perspective is a uniquely blended expression that has made him famous in the tattoo community.
In 2002 Ku USA, Inc. signed a licensing agreement with Don Ed Hardy. Within two years of using his designs to produce a line of apparel other fashion companies started taking interest in his art as well.
In 2004, Christian Audigier took interest in Don Ed Hardy’s use of fantasy images in tattoo body art themes such as “Love Kills Slowly” and “Death Before Dishonor.” As a result Audigier and Hardy reached an agreement that gave Audigier exclusive rights to use his designs as the “Ed Hardy” brand. The clothing focuses on lifestyle couture and street culture.
Born in Avignon, France, fashion designer Christian Audigier now lives in Los Angeles. Audigier is called “The King of Jeans” from his success as a designer for apparel manufacturers such as; “Fiorucci,” “Levi’s,” “Diesel” and “American Outfitters.” Before creating the Ed Hardy brand, Audigier was the Head Designer at Von Dutch Originals, famous for the legendary Kustom Kulture imagery of artist Von Dutch which became a top fashion item for many celebrities around the world.
Audigier’s charm and close identification to the entertainment world is part of the reason for his success. His interest in this lifestyle is responsible for many of his innovative marketing campaigns which have focused on direct promotion to a celebrity clientele.
In addition to the Ed Hardy shirts, the brand features a full line of clothing items and accessories for women and men. Audigier’ company Nervous Tattoo employs more than 45,000 people worldwide who produce six other clothing lines including: “Christian Audigier”, SMET”, “Crystal Rock”, and most recently “C-Bar-A”, “Chuck Boyd”, and “Paco Chicano.
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Tags: Apparel