Christian AudigierConsidered
one of the most meteoric rises in fashion history, Christian Audigier
has parlayed his design experience and business acumen to become a true
fashion icon and entrepreneurial sensation in less than four years.
Through his collection of international companies, he has launched nine
popular brands with over sixty licenses. He oversees an international
conglomerate of his designer brands, including Ed Hardy™, Christian
Audigier™, SMET™, Crystal Rock™, most recently C-Bar-A™, Savoir Faire™,
Evel Knievel ™, Rock Fabulous™, and Paco Chicano™; this includes US and
international wholesale distribution, US retail stores, as well as
international retail stores.
Christian made his mark throughout the fashion industry after a
fortuitous start at MacKeen Jeans. He has contributed to successful
brands such as Diesel, Fiorucci, Bisou Bisou, Levi’s, NafNaf and
American Outfitters. Christian’s style is so distinctive that he is
known as the “King of Jeans.”
More recently, Christian threw his ingenuity behind Von Dutch™, where
he catapulted the brand from obscurity into a household name. He single
handedly created several trends, including the now famous trucker hat
trend which could be seen on everyone from college students to
high-profile celebrities. Christian was responsible for putting Von
Dutch™ on the map, thus paving the way for his next great enterprise.
In 2004, Christian left Von Dutch™ and proceeded to create and launch
the wildly popular Ed Hardy® brand. He was granted the exclusive rights
to the designs of Don Ed Hardy, who is commonly referred to as the
“Godfather of Tattoo.” With Ed Hardy®, Christian not only created a
brand, but a lifestyle of street couture.
Christian has built a fervent following for his Ed Hardy® and the
eponymous Christian Audigier™ brands. Celebrities such as Madonna,
Britney Spears, and Kanye West, among others are frequently seen
wearing his unique designs. His celebrity following includes more than
5,000 celebrities, athletes and musicians of all genres.
In 2008, Christian announced his latest venture, When I Move You Move™,
the Trade Show, exclusively showcasing the entire family of Audigier
brands. Included are the more than 60 licensees who produce everything
from jewelry, skateboards, chocolates, wine, water, vodka, and even air
fresheners. Christian also branched out into the world of nightclubs, with the star-studded opening of Christian Audigier The Nightclub at Treasure Island, in
Las Vegas. His rock ‘n’ roll, glam-inspired style is celebrated
throughout his namesake club, which includes works of art designed by
Christian. It has quickly become the hottest spot on the Las Vegas
Strip. Christian Audigier, born in the city of Avignon, in the South of France, embodies and represents the pinnacle of success in
achieving the American dream. He currently resides with his family in
Los Angeles, California. His impressive list of accomplishments, shrewd
business sense, and charismatic personality make him the global success
that he is today. Don Ed Hardy
With 40 years of tattooing and legendary status among the tattoo
community, 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. |