Ed Hardy: The Next Big Thing
A few years ago, I was minding my own business when I was blind-sighted by a brand that changed my life forever. I am talking about the wonderful tattoo-inspired creations of Christian Audigier with the brand name inspired by the great tattoo pioneer Don Ed Hardy. Ed Hardy outlet, before that moment, were something I had never heard of, and seeing my very first one there, I had no idea how big this brand would prove to become.
I was actually at my friend’s house when I got my first glimpse of an Ed Hardy T-shirt. This was back in 2008, early in the year – January I believe. My friend had sent me a text telling me to run by because he had something to show me, so I went over to his house. He disappeared and came out with a black T-shirt and laid it flat on the counter so I could see it.
Now, I am pretty experienced with tattoo history, so instantly I recognized the name scrawled in large red script across the top of the shirt. Don Ed Hardy, I knew, was a tattoo pioneer who studied under the great Sailor Jerry, one of the most respected traditional tattoo artists in the United States. Don Ed Hardy also studied under a Japanese master, and became known for panthers and tigers in his designs.
This design on the shirt was a skull, though, which I found to be pleasing because I love skull and crossbones designs. A heart atop the skull’s head had a white banner woven around it that said “Love Kills Slowly” in black lettering. The skull itself was a very traditional tattoo style, even in the traditional colors used.
I asked my friend then what this was, and he smiled at me and said four words that I think to this day describe Ed Hardy clothing better than I have ever heard them to be described by anyone else: “The next big thing.” He went on to explain to me that this was a new brand of clothing created from a designer purchasing the license to these tattoo designs.
My friend was right, though, about Ed Hardy. This brand went on to explode. T-shirts and trucker hats soon turned into a full clothing line, and then several more by Christain Audigier, all with the unique tattoo-style inspiration of Ed Hardy. More brands and styles formed from this idea, and even Ed Hardy replicas came about soon after. Today, Ed Hardy is one of the biggest-selling clothing brands. And it continues to grow. I don’t know how my friend new, but he sure did.
Tags: Ed Hardy T-shirt