Don
Ed Hardy
Don Ed Hardy is known as "the godfather
of modern tattoo", for his sophistication, depth and sense
of experimentation. California native Don Ed Hardy is recognized
around the world for his technical brilliance and mesmerizing
imagery. Don Ed Hardy pulls from life experience to meld
American, Japanese, Cholo, tattoo, surf and hotrod iconography.
This broad spectrum of taste and experience, coupled with
an ongoing investigation
of various art histories and a mastery of technique, give
his work a unique range and depth.
Don Ed Hardy is a painter, printmaker and tattoo artist.
Fascinated by tattoos since childhood, Hardy has become a
master of his craft while continuing his work in the more
traditional mediums of painting and drawing.
In 2000, he completed a 500 foot long scroll painting of
2000 dragons in honor of the turn of the millennium and the
Dragon year. The scroll has been exhibited at Track 16 Gallery,
Santa Monica, The Museum of Contemporary Art, Denver, the
Cuenca Bienal in Ecuador and the Yerba Buena Center for the
Arts, San Francisco.
Don Ed Hardy curated the exhibition, "Pierced Hearts and
True Love", which was shown at The Drawing Center in New
York in September 1995 and traveled to several other museums.
His work is represented in the collections of The Honolulu
Academy of Art, The Contemporary Museum, Honolulu, The San
Francisco Fine Arts Museum Achenbach Collection, and the
University of Colorado Fine Art Galleries.
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Christian Audigier
At age 19, Sportswear International Magazine called
Christian Audigier the “king of jeans” for his
creative design work, elaborate parties, and his unprecedented
denim museum in Paris, which paid homage to some of his favourite
stars including Elvis Presley and Steve McQueen. He worked
with Levi’s, Fiorucci, Diesel, Bisou Bisou, American
Eagle Outfitters, Naf Naf, Kookai, Liberto, Lee, and most recently
Von Dutch. It has been an American rock-and-roll journey for
this brand-building powerhouse and now at age 45, Audigier
is known the world over as an undeniable fashion designer,
lifestyle brand visionaire, and celebrity.
In
January 2005, Audigier rose like a phoenix from the ashes
when he decided to publicly announce that he had parted ways
with Von Dutch on national TV in France, only to promote
the launch of his newest clothing line - Ed Hardy. Inspired
by the youth of America, vintage-inspired fashion, Hollywood
stardom, and motorcycle and tattoo culture, it is no surprise
that Audigier was motivated by the artwork of Ed
Hardy, the “godfather of tattoo”, then purchased
the rights to his artwork in order to bring tattoo culture
into the world of fashion.
Since December 2004, Audigier has already brought legendary tattoo
genius Ed Hardy to new heights. The cleverly
designed t-shirts, denim and accessories reflect Audigier’s
own fast-paced lifestyle and passion for color. To date, Audigier
has signed the Ed Hardy motorcycle manufacturing deal, produced
and distributed the collectible Ed Hardy energy drink, launched
a brand new retail store on Melrose, obtained full international
distribution of the Ed Hardy lifestyle brand, and generated over
$10M in sales to date. Needless to say, Audigier will launch
more than four new Ed Hardy lifestyle product categories in the
coming year, including housewares.
A rebel with a cause, Audigier is setting out to create yet another
global sensation. By incorporating vintage-inspired contemporary
styles with tattoo-cultural themes, Audigier will undoubtedly
reach the masses once again. With two stores on Los Angeles’ famous
Melrose Avenue and countless locations throughout the USA, Audigier
has secured the Ed Hardy phenomenon at over 40 international
locations including Japan, Brazil and France.
What is his trick? Keeping the world on its toes and taking his
work to extremes.
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