Ed Hardy Top

Who designs for Ed Hardy varies. The graphics that adorn pieces in the brand's collections come from the artwork of tattoo artist Don Ed Hardy. In 2003, Christian Audigier licensed the graphics and began incorporating them into his designs for apparel and accessories. Since Audigier's death in 2015, the Ed Hardy brand has been less active. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Don Ed Hardy art.

The Ed Hardy brand was created in 2004. Tattoo artist Don Ed Hardy licensed his work in 2003 to a streetwear brand, and fashion magnate Christian Audigier of lifestyle apparel brand Von Dutch fame became a sublicensee. Audigier formally plastered Hardy’s drawings across flamboyant hooded sweatshirts and other items in 2004, which found a niche among quite a few controversial celebrities, including cast members of American reality-television series. As an artist in his own right, Hardy's career launched when he opened his first tattoo parlor in 1974. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of Ed Hardy art.

Ed Hardy is famous for revolutionizing the tattoo industry with his artwork. He created elaborate, sprawling back and chest pieces for his private clients at his studios. In 1979, he won the Tattoo Artist of the Year award at the World Tattoo Convention in Houston, and by 1982, he was co-publishing books on tattooing. Hardy played a major role in changing the public's perception of tattooing from something that had been relegated to the margins to mainstream body art. That shift in perception would lead to Hardy's licensing of his work in 2003 to fashion magnate Christian Audigier of the lifestyle apparel brand Von Dutch. Audigier used Hardy's drawings on flamboyant hooded sweatshirts, t-shirts and other pieces. Explore a variety of Don Ed Hardy art on 1stDibs.

Yes, Ed Hardy is still a thing. Don Ed Hardy officially retired from tattoo art in the 2000s but did continue to paint. His classic and contemporary work appears on apparel and accessories produced by the Ed Hardy brand through a licensing agreement. Explore a collection of Ed Hardy art on 1stDibs.