Chrome Hearts

Chrome Hearts is a high end brand which produces silver accessories, gold and diamond jewelry, eyewear, leather, clothing, furniture.[1][2] Founded in 1988 in Los Angeles by Richard Stark, John Bowman and Leonard Kamhout.[3][4][5] The production site covers three blocks in the middle of Hollywood.[6]

Interior of the Chrome Hearts store in West Village, Manhattan, New York

History

Richard Stark and friend John Bowman started the business in an L.A. garage in early 1988.[7] Bowman was a manufacturer of leather goods, and Stark was selling top grade raw leathers.[7] Stark explained: "We both rode bikes. We couldn't find jackets we really liked. So we made our own."[7] The third partner in the business was master jeweler Leonard Kamhout, who used only sterling silver.[7] The company's first job was costume design for Chopper Chicks in Zombietown,[8] costarring a girlfriend of one of the Sex Pistols; Stark took the name of the brand from the working title of the movie.[6] Stark and the other founders eventually had a falling-out, and they departed the brand.[9] (In 1994 Leonard Kamhout and Devon Wheeler founded Lone Ones, a private custom jewelry atelier.)[10] Laurie Lynn originally ordered a collection of leather swimsuits from the company, and later married Stark and joined as a partner.[6] In 1996, Chrome Hearts opened its first boutique at 159 East 64th Street, Manhattan, New York City.[11]

Collaborations

In 2002, Chrome Hearts introduced a collaboration with The Rolling Stones featuring the band’s iconic “Lips and Tongue” motif.[12]

In 2004, Yves Saint Laurent partnered with Chrome Hearts and released exclusive t-shirts.

In 2007, Japanese fashion brand Comme des Garçons has teamed up with Chrome Hearts, collaborated on a series of pendants and garments.[13]

In 2010, Chrome Hearts partnered on shoe design with the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation,[14] and Rick Owens.[15] The shoes are adorned with various silver embellishments.

In March 2014 Chrome Hearts bought a minority stake in high-end knitwear brand The Elder Statesman.[16] Chrome Hearts employed its hallmark silver accents in a customization of the iconic adidas Stan Smith in early 2016.[17] The brand has collaborated with off white on several occasions. Once in 2012 and once in 2018. Both collaborations have been received extremely well by the public.

Bella Hadid used to visit the factory in LA as a teenager and collaborated with the brand on a 40-piece apparel and accessories collection released in 2017.[18] The CHROME HEARTS x BELLA collection debuted at Paris Fashion Week,[19] and is sold exclusively at Selfridges.[20][21] Bella's sister Gigi Hadid has modeled for the brand.[22]

Clientele

Bono, Steven Tyler,[6] Elton John, Karl Lagerfeld, Jaye Muller, Kanye West,[9] Cher, Kate Hudson, Carine Roitfeld, Britney Spears, Ivan Live, Lil Uzi Vert, Travis Scott, HOUDINI, Fergie and LeBron James are fans of the brand.[4] Rock musicians such as Slash, Sebastian Bach, and Melt-Banana have played music in the Chrome Hearts office space.[6]

Boutiques

As of April 2020, Chrome Hearts has retail locations in:[23]

Awards and honors

See also

References
  1. T.S. Fox, Chrome Hearts Introduces Its Own Incense Hypebeast May 4, 2016
  2. Precision Watches & Jewelry, CHROME HEARTS EYEWEAR: A SHORT HISTORY August 15, 2016
  3. Chrome Hearts LLC bloomberg.com
  4. Rosemary Feitelberg, Chrome Hearts Opens Second New York City Store in the West Village Women's Wear Daily, April 12, 2017
  5. Chrome Hearts 10th Anniversary Collection, Eugene Kan, January 11, 2010
  6. MAXWELL WILLIAMS, STARK CONTRAST: CHROME HEARTS V magazine July 14, 2016
  7. Genevieve Buck, Chrome Hearts: Leader Of The Pack Chicago Tribune, August 19, 1992
  8. Jake Shears, TWO CHROME HEARTS THAT BEAT AS ONE Paper 03/14/2012
  9. Asaf Rotman, Surfaced: Chrome Hearts Grailed July 27, 2016
  10. Lone Ones Archived 2017-11-23 at the Wayback Machine P&T Trading
  11. Biker design duo lists classic townhouse for $14m The Real Deal, 2013/03/19
  12. "Chrome Hearts Remixes 2002 Rolling Stones Collaboration". WWD. December 1, 2016. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
  13. "COMME des GARÇONS x Chrome Hearts Collection". hypebeast. November 29, 2007. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
  14. Ruano, L. (July 12, 2010). "Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation x Chrome Hearts Sneakers". Hypebeast. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  15. David Fischer, Chrome Hearts x Rick Owens Sneakers Highsnobiety May 26, 2010
  16. Lisa Wang, With Shared Artisan Ethos, Chrome Hearts Invests in The Elder Statesman businessoffashion.com MARCH 31, 2014
  17. Cheng, Zarah (January 2016). "Chrome Hearts x adidas Originals Stan Smith". Hypebeast. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  18. NAKISKA, TEMPE (May 19, 2017). "FAMILY AFFAIR: Bella Hadid talks us through her collection for Chrome Hearts". Hero. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  19. YOTKA, STEFF (March 1, 2017). "Bella Hadid's Chrome Hearts Collab Will Debut at Paris Fashion Week". Vogue. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  20. ELLA ALEXANDER, Bella Hadid talks us through her debut fashion collection for Chrome Hearts Harper's BAZAAR 16 May 2017
  21. Natalie Theodosi, Bella Hadid x Chrome Hearts Makes London Debut at Selfridges Women's Wear Daily, May 12, 2017
  22. @chromeheartsofficial on Instagram
  23. Official page,
  24. Official page, USA
  25. Official page, Asia
  26. Official page, Europe
  27. Official page,
  28. There’s just no place like Chrome MICHELLE DALTON TYREE, Japan Times, DEC 30, 1999


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