Chrome Hearts
Chrome Hearts is a brand of high end silver jewelry which also produces gold, diamond accessories, leather, clothing, furniture, incense,[1] and eyewear.[2] Founded in 1988 in Los Angeles and owned by Richard Stark and Laurie Lynn Stark,[3][4][5] Chrome Hearts remains a made in USA operation and a family business.[6] The production site covers three blocks in the middle of Hollywood.[7] The brand makes nothing of chrome, and does not use hearts as a decorative symbol.[8]
History
Richard Stark and friend John Bowman started the business in an L.A. garage in early 1988.[8] Bowman was a manufacturer of leather goods, and Stark was selling top grade raw leathers.[8] Stark explained: "We both rode bikes. We couldn't find jackets we really liked. So we made our own."[8] The third partner in the business was master jeweler Leonard Kamhout, who used only sterling silver.[8] The company's first job was costume design for Chopper Chicks in Zombietown,[6] costarring a girlfriend of one of the Sex Pistols; Stark took the name of the brand from the working title of the movie.[7] 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, but later married Stark and joined as a partner.[7] In 1996, Chrome Hearts opened the first boutique in 159 East 64th Street, Manhattan.[11]
Collaborations
In 2002, Chrome Hearts introduced a collaboration with The Rolling Stones featuring the band’s iconic “Lips and Tongue” motif.[12]
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]
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
Steven Tyler,[7] Elton John, Karl Lagerfeld, Jaye Muller, Kanye West,[9] Cher, Kate Hudson, Carine Roitfeld, Britney Spears and Fergie are fans of the brand.[4] Slash, Sebastian Bach, and Melt-Banana have played music in the Chrome Hearts office space.[7]
Boutiques
As of April 2017 Chrome Hearts has retail locations in:[4]
- US: New York City,[4] Los Angeles, Malibu, Las Vegas, Honolulu, Miami [23]
- Asia: Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Kobe, Hong Kong, Taipei, Seoul, Busan, Beijing, Hangzhou [24]
- Europe: Paris, London, Manchester [25]
Awards and honors
See also
References
- ^ T.S. Fox, Chrome Hearts Introduces Its Own Incense Hypebeast May 4, 2016
- ^ Precision Watches & Jewelry, CHROME HEARTS EYEWEAR: A SHORT HISTORY August 15, 2016
- ^ Chrome Hearts LLC bloomberg.com
- ^ a b c d Rosemary Feitelberg, Chrome Hearts Opens Second New York City Store in the West Village Women's Wear Daily, April 12, 2017
- ^ Chrome Hearts 10th Anniversary Collection, Eugene Kan, January 11, 2010
- ^ a b Jake Shears, TWO CHROME HEARTS THAT BEAT AS ONE Paper 03/14/2012
- ^ a b c d e f MAXWELL WILLIAMS, STARK CONTRAST: CHROME HEARTS V magazine July 14, 2016
- ^ a b c d e Genevieve Buck, Chrome Hearts: Leader Of The Pack Chicago Tribune, August 19, 1992
- ^ a b c Asaf Rotman, Surfaced: Chrome Hearts Grailed July 27, 2016
- ^ Lone Ones P&T Trading
- ^ https://therealdeal.com/2013/03/19/biker-design-duo-lists-classic-ues-townhouse-for-14m/
- ^ "Chrome Hearts Remixes 2002 Rolling Stones Collaboration". WWD. December 1, 2016. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "COMME des GARÇONS x Chrome Hearts Collection". hypebeast. November 29, 2007. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Ruano, L. (July 12, 2010). "Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation x Chrome Hearts Sneakers". Hypebeast. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ David Fischer, Chrome Hearts x Rick Owens Sneakers Highsnobiety May 26, 2010
- ^ Lisa Wang, With Shared Artisan Ethos, Chrome Hearts Invests in The Elder Statesman businessoffashion.com MARCH 31, 2014
- ^ Cheng, Zarah (January 2016). "Chrome Hearts x adidas Originals Stan Smith". Hypebeast. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ NAKISKA, TEMPE (May 19, 2017). "FAMILY AFFAIR: Bella Hadid talks us through her collection for Chrome Hearts". Hero. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ YOTKA, STEFF (March 1, 2017). "Bella Hadid's Chrome Hearts Collab Will Debut at Paris Fashion Week". Vogue. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ ELLA ALEXANDER, Bella Hadid talks us through her debut fashion collection for Chrome Hearts Harper's BAZAAR 16 May 2017
- ^ Natalie Theodosi, Bella Hadid x Chrome Hearts Makes London Debut at Selfridges Women's Wear Daily, May 12, 2017
- ^ @chromeheartsofficial on Instagram
- ^ Official page, USA
- ^ Official page, Asia
- ^ Official page, Europe
- ^ There’s just no place like Chrome MICHELLE DALTON TYREE, Japan Times, DEC 30, 1999
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