Madonna wears them ("News Video," n.d.). Britney Spears wears them ("About Us," n.d.). Kanye West wears them ("About Us," n.d.). So do Hulk Hogan and a variety of other Hollywood celebrities ("News Video," n.d.). You can see them on the set of Mr. and Mrs. Smith and on Usher's video, not to mention on singers Jesse McCartney and Katherine McPhee ("News Video," n.d.). Glitterati from every level of stardom own at least one pair. What fashion item are we talking about? They are Ed Hardy jeans.
Ed Hardy jeans are the brainchild of California artist Don Ed Hardy, who is "commonly referred to as the 'godfather of modern tattoo' for his sophistication, depth and sense of experimentation" ("About Us," n.d.). Hardy's designs are recognized worldwide for their "technical brilliance and mesmerizing imagery" drawn from an eclectic mix of styles from American, Japanese, tattoo, surfing, and hotrod cultures ("About Us," n.d.). Exhibitions of his work have graced museums in major cities around the world from New York to San Francisco, and even Ecuador ("About Us," n.d.).
It is not just Hardy's imagery that makes Ed Hardy jeans so coveted, however; it is the cut and design of the jeans themselves. For that, Hardy has Frenchman Christian Audigier [NOTE: pronounced aw-dee-zhee-ay'] to thank ("About Us," n.d.). Audigier, who's been dubbed the "King of Jeans," has enjoyed "one of the most meteoric rises in fashion history and has "launched nine popular brands with over sixty licenses" ("About Us," n.d.). "With Ed Hardy, [Audigier] not only created a brand, but a lifestyle of street couture" ("About Us," n.d.). Already famous at age 19 for his "creative design work, elaborate parties, and his unprecedented denim museum in Paris, which paid homage to some of his favorite stars including Elvis Presley and Steve McQueen," Audigier-now 45-"is known the world over as an undeniable fashion designer, lifestyle bran
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