When discussing fashion, the name Christian Audigier inevitably comes up, often linked to trucker hats, Von Dutch, Ed Hardy, and tattoo-inspired aesthetics. His designs have been sported by high-profile celebrities such as Madonna, Busta Rhymes, Diddy, and Paris Hilton, whose images can frequently be found online and in magazines wearing his crystal-studded sweatshirts, tattooed t-shirts, and other unique pieces.
Audigier is a leading figure in the fashion industry, widely recognized for his clothing lines. Currently, he has seven successful brands: ‘Ed Hardy,’ ‘Christian Audigier,’ ‘Crystal Rock,’ ‘SMET,’ ‘Chuck Boyd,’ ‘C-Bar-A,’ and ‘Paco Chicano.’ Each line is distinctive and has contributed to the growth of Audigier’s brand as one of the most influential in the fashion world.
Audigier’s successful brands didn’t just materialize out of thin air. He refined his craft working with denim, driven by his youthful ambition to be a rock-and-roll star. His collection, inspired by the Rolling Stones, was discovered by an executive at ‘MacKeen Jeans,’ leading to an extensive career working with designer jean companies. He collaborated with ‘Levi’s,’ ‘Diesel,’ ‘Bisou Bisou,’ ‘American Outfitters,’ and ‘Fiorucci,’ becoming a pivotal figure in each company. His expertise with denim is apparent in many of his current designs, earning him the nickname, “The King of Jeans.”
After his stint with several denim lines, Audigier collaborated with Von Dutch, a move widely credited for thrusting the brand onto the fashion stage. Today, Christian Audigier’s collections include hats reminiscent of the trucker hats he popularized during his Von Dutch era. These hats feature elegant embroidery akin to the Ed Hardy tattoo designs seen on his other clothing items, with motifs such as skulls and crossbones, cannabis leaves, panthers, and Christian Audigier monograms.
After leaving Von Dutch, Audigier was inspired to create a line based on tattoos. A Google search for “famous tattoo artist” led him to Don Ed Hardy, marking a pivotal moment in his career. He collaborated with Hardy to create the ‘Ed Hardy’ collection, featuring Hardy’s intricate tattoo designs on t-shirts, hoodies, and other clothing items. These pieces remain some of the most popular in Audigier’s collection.
Christian Audigier’s clothing appeals to both men and women of various ages, a quality not many clothing lines possess. His designs are loved by celebrities and the general public alike. Audigier has a knack for designing clothes that appeal to a broad spectrum of people. More than just a brand, Christian Audigier clothing represents a distinct cultural movement.