Don Ed Hardy is known as "the godfather of modern tattoo", for his sophisticated nuances and experimentation. Fascinated by tattoos since childhood, Hardy has mastered the art of tattooing and tattoo designs while continuing his work in the more conventional mediums of drawing and painting. Having studied in Japan in the early 70's and 80's under renowned tattoo master Oguri Horihide, it is no surprise that much of Hardy's resonates with strong Asian influences. Born in Costa Mesa, California in 1945, Don Ed Hardy is a name synonymous with technical brilliance and compelling imagery around the world. A true artist who derives inspiration from his environment, Hardy has successfully melded American, Japanese, Cholo (think black ink tattoos found in Latin gang calligraphy), tattoo, California surf, and good ole' American hotrod iconography. He is one of the few artists who have successfully toed the border of the ying of "low culture" popular art and the yang of "high art" sensibilities. Ed Hardy's original Tattoo City shop is located at 700 Lombard Street (corner of Mason) in the heart of San Francisco's historic North Beach.

Now why on earth are hip, trendy teenagers who probably have no idea who this guy really is wearing his designs at the neighborhood mall? Enter French native, Christian Audigier, who was called the "king of jeans" by Sportswear International magazine when he was only 19 years-old. In 20 years, he's left his tangible mark on such brands as American Eagle Outfitters, Diesel, Kookai, Lee, Levi's, Liberto, Naf Naf, and most recently Von Dutch. In January 2005, Audigier rocked the fashion community by announcing that he had purchased the rights to Ed Hardy's artwork in order to fuse the worlds of vintage-fashion and tattoo/motorcycle culture by producing the Ed Hardy clothing line.

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From Madonna to Paris Hilton; from Tony Hawk to Jared Leto-Audigier has redefined rocker-chic in today's pop culture with designs full of life, staying true to the color and cultural palette of Don Ed Hardy. One can't deny the homage to California culture in all of Audigier's designs as he propelled the legendary name of Ed Hardy into a household brand and a symbol of pop-culture iconography, accessible across societal and class boundaries. Don Ed Hardy by Christian Audigier clothing and accessories are sold in three boutique clothing stores in the United States located in Los Angeles, Tucson, and New York, and in 8 other stores worldwide.

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