Ed Hardy: How Much is Enough? (A Rant)
Type “Ed Hardy” into Google. Yeah , go ahead, I’ll wait. What do you see? Besides the apparel, you’ll find Ed hardy vodka, sparkling wine, celebrity endorsements, energy drinks, DINNERWARE?! Am I alone in this sentiment, reader, or do we have on our hands here a classic case of market oversaturation?
{Ed hardy air fresheners, camping gear, tea, tanning products, pet accessories, icing…}
I digress.
Ed Hardy the man had a much more respectable history. An American tattoo artist from Iowa, he was born in 1945 as Don Ed Hardy and raised in Southern California. Ed was a pupil of tattoo pioneer Sailor Jerry and is recognized for his Japanese tattoo aesthetic and technique. Turns out instead of a chance to attend Yale, Norman “Sailor Jerry” Collins rather entrusted his name and artwork to a very special duo: Mike Malone, and you guessed it, Don Ed Hardy.
What Ed Hardy has become now is somewhat of an illusion to pinpoint. In the midst of all the meaningless commercial items his licensee produces, are A to Z list celebrities dutifully sporting the line. They include:
Ed Hardy designer Christian Audigier and rapper Ja Rule
Singer Christina Milan (notice the tacky “buy now” on both pics. See what I’m sayin’?
Heidi Klum (and son) :)
In my own circle, I’ve only seen Ed Hardy worn twice, and it was from the daughter of a wealthy family, and some d-bag at my school who, aviator shades and all, turned his nose up at the world while walking past people. Not a good look. This of course doesn’t mean everyone who wears it is like that…just saying.
I’m a little more happy about the Ed Hardy jackets, since I’m such a jacket fanatic, although I think the line is too busy for me generally. Nevertheless, check this one out:
Me personally, I’d rather get an actual tattoo by Ed Hardy:
Tattoo work by Ed Hardy
OK maybe I wouldn’t go that far but it’s absolutely stunning detail where it counts.
You won’t catch me dead in most of the clothes, but I’m only one opinion. Maybe (and hopefully) Christian Audigier steps his game up and puts out some stuff that a wider audience can embrace. LRG comes to mind, Enyce, (whatever happened to Avirex? I loved their jackets..)
But moving on, what do you, reader, think about Ed Hardy? Do you own any of his clothes? Do you find the clothes wearable? Affordable? Do you think that this brand is for a certain type of consumer”?
Let’s hear it!
Why So Many Rappers in Jail??
Frankie and Neffe: Episode 7 Recap
GQ Magazine’s “Hip Hop Men of the Year”. Do You Agree with their Choices?
Yums Footwear Gets Tastier with Soulja Boy, White Tee
“Couples Retreat” Movie: A Racist Plot or Marketing Move?
Baby Phat 2009 Menswear: Sleek and Urban Cool
Cordilia Salamonsky says:
May 15th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Ed Hardy vodka sucks…it taste like grain alcohol…it goes to show that people with no spirits experience should not go into making vodka. WTF can't they afford a website? Oversaturated is an understatement!
Andre says:
May 15th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
100% agreement over here, lol
rhaps says:
May 16th, 2009 at 12:24 am
Must say it is really looking to be remembered and that is what he has accomplished
Kaye says:
May 16th, 2009 at 5:45 am
I don't get any of it, I almost bought a sweater that was kinda cool, but it was hella pricey so I didn't – the stuff is too busy – I don't get how it took off like it did – or how it got so big in the hip hop culture- ??? I know everyone's crossing over their styles and stuff – but huh? I'm confused….are we just looking hard for anything to spend our $ on – this is not a classic look and will be dated in a minute
Andre says:
May 16th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
thats what im saying. because they are pushing out so much stuff and trends change, expect to see that sweater you were interested in for hella cheap at a thrift store one day. Simplicity above all!
-Andre
Monument Ltd. says:
May 19th, 2009 at 4:14 am
I think the brand kind of got away from Ed hardy. Not to say that He didn't mind the fame and money. but the Ed hardy brand is being pushed by the shameless and Im my opinion gaudy hand of designer Christian Audigier ( He is also partially responsible for the defaming of the late great Von Dutch name). I believe that this brand is the perfect example of hollywood name plugging and celebrity endorsements to turn virtually anything into the next big thing. It looks like the fashion world is going to suck any grass roots quality out of the Ed hardy name and leave it in an ally somewhere like yesterdays paper. What a shame
ron says:
May 21st, 2009 at 8:49 pm
I think that any one who knows Vodka. Ed Hardy name or not, Will love this Vodka. Its smooth and has no burn. So forget all the tattoos and the name. drink it because it tastes good. Try it yourself and dont listen to everyone elses Bull
Benj says:
May 22nd, 2009 at 11:47 pm
I love Ed Hardy but it's becoming more and more true that Audigier is outselling his brand.
ed hardy says:
August 4th, 2009 at 9:11 am
I don't get any of it, I almost bought a sweater that was kinda cool, but it was hella pricey so I didn't – the stuff is too busy – I don't get how it took off like it did – or how it got so big in the hip hop culture-
gaston perry says:
August 16th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
if you cant tell me what ed hardy does or who sailor jerry is u shouldnt buy his shit i talk 2 people every day who know nothing about the people behind everything or dont have a tattoo or know what there wearing so talk to me when u know the meaning of "accuza"
sara says:
October 5th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
i love it so mush and everything to me is ed hardy i am tattoo artest and i love every thing about tattoos and all my cloth from ed hardy shop but its very expesive lool but i love it
paula says:
October 10th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Seriously..Its clothing!! You buy it if you like it..if you don't…..you don't!!! Why do you have to know the meaning behind a t-shirt!! Not saying however that Ed Hardy has gone waaaay over the top!!
Karl Lagerfeld says:
October 13th, 2009 at 9:34 am
I think Ed Hardy is really… gay. Not the tattoo artist, but the brand. Some of the shirts look nice and stuff, but it’s way too much. I mean, I saw a shirt that was bedazzled. And it was for men. Personally, I don’t think alot of guys would want to wear a bedazzled shirt unless they expect to get their heads plunged into a toilet. Anyways, other products by Ed Hardy, like AIR FRESHNERS, are somewhat ridiculous. Don’t get me wrong, it would be kind of cool to have a tent with an Ed Hardy logo on it, but I wouldn’t pay something like $200 for that. Christian Audigier needs to get his head out of his ass and realize no one would buy a toilet deodorizor with skulls on it.
anonymous says:
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:50 pm
most of the retards wearing the clothes have no idea who ed hardy even is. the man is a living legend and was rich regardless of selling out, and for some reason he decided it'd be a good idea to sell christian whatever his flash to put on gay, overpriced clothes, cologne, and other vanity items for idiots to buy. get a traditional tattoo instead of wearing a dumb overpriced shirt.