Bzzzzzz ouch….not bad 
As far as trendy clothing goes, one of the most influential new labels that has exploded on the South African clothing scene has to be the extremely well known tattoo style designs of Ed Hardy.
Ed Hardy (Don Ed Hardy) was originally a tattoo artist who grew up in California and trained as an apprentice under the mega tattoo master Sailor Jerry.
While Ed Hardy was still doing his apprenticeship under Jerry he earned a qualification in print making.
His design style can be seen as a design fusion between two cultures, while there is undoubted old school tattoo elements to his work, (such as the biker style snakes and skulls) he has a distinct influence from Asian styles.
Ed Hardy even travelled to Japan where he learnt traditional tattoo art from many of the finest masters.
Staying in Japan for so many years has definitely left an impression on his style and it can be seen in the flamboyant and highly detailed work that he produces.
Another element to Ed Hardy’s work that seems to also be a mainstay is his nautical, almost aquatic influence, that seems to permeate not only from the subject matter but the fluidity of his work.
Perhaps the reason he has this element to his work is due to his apprenticeship under Sailor Jerry who is well known for his sailor style design style, oh and perhaps also because they were based in Honolulu…which is pretty much as sailor/beach/aquatic as it gets.
In 2004 the Ed Hardy clothing label as we know it today was launched and blasted us with big, bright, funky and (more importantly) unique design.
Ed hardy clothing is not cheap, in fact, it’s downright exorbitant.
My first true experience with Ed Hardy was when I walked into their new store down on the V&A Waterfront.
The first thing that grabbed my attention was the crazy colourful caps that they had hanging in the window, I’m a huge fan of caps so I ran in expecting to find a great find or two…unfortunately when I inquired about the price I almost choked on my Chappie: one cap was 700 bucks and that was without rhinestones….if I wanted the stones (which I didn’t) the price shot over 1K.
Ouch I took a few steps back and ran for my life 
You can imagine the price of jeans and t-shirts…that’s some expensive clothing right there.
Yes as is the fate of all “unique clothing”, Ed Hardy merchandise has flooded the market and even little kids are wearing it now…it’s only a matter of time before something becomes trendy and everybody and their pet puma has a piece of the label.
Ed Hardy is HUGE in Cape Town and I see it on a daily basis on the backs of just about every type of person you can imagine.
Has this mass induction into the scene tarnished my overall feel for the brand?…perhaps a little.
However I have to admit if I had enough cash to go around blowing it on that price range of clothing I think at the very least I would get my hands on one of those very awesome caps.
As for the rest of the clothing range, Ed hardy does everything from t-shirts, hoodies, jeans to beanies….dude he even has a massive collection of accessories like wallets and socks LOL.
Yes indeed everything that could be done…has been done, I’m surprised there aren’t Ed Hardy toothbrushes by now.
Perhaps this is one of the things that “bothers” me about the label, its pure unadulterated “variety”.
It’s a pity that Ed Hardy no longer actually works as a tattoo artist, which he stopped doing at the end of the 80’s.
However his tattoo style lives on with his clothing line and he continues to expand his artistic flair in any way possible, such as with his painting and new and exciting print work.
One thing’s for sure Ed Hardy isn’t going anywhere and will continue to “wow” us into the future…in whatever way he can of course.
So what does Ed Hardy do for you? Is it your favourite label ever…is your entire wardrobe Ed Hardy down to the socks and dental floss? Or are you one of those people who would rather walk over burning coals than sport his gear?
Duncs.
PS: here is a link to an Ed Hardy online store so you can get an idea of the clothing and their prices.
The prices are in dollars, so prepare for a bit of pain
CLICK HERE
Ed Hardy clothing is cool i guess… But i’ll never be caught dead wearing it…That’s just me.
In general I don’t like the specific style of tattooing so unfortunately his clothes are a no no for me. Maybe it’s giving people a feeling of having a tattoo, but it’s not permanent so it won’t scar you for life.
A bit to loud for me 2…
wonder how they got such a big name with such out there clothes. Not everyones cup of tea!
I really don’t like his clothes or styles, a little to messy, disjointed, and almost random!
I think his success with the line really came from the marketing GIANT christian Audigier, who blasted us with Von Dutch. With the right amount of capital, and celebs wearing your gear, your bound to take off. Now he has Smet, Artful Dodger, and helped with Affliction.
Good post, cant wait for Integral Apparel to take off like that, just need another couple million dollars and we will be good!
Hehe, for sure Rashaun, Integral has mega potntial…we hope that Springleap can give him at least a small step towards realizing his dreams.
It seems that everybody that has replied is anti-Ed Hardy, thats a clean sweep alright.
Yes Ed Hardy gear is very “out there” and loud, and as Rashaun pointed out “messy/disjointed”…perhaps this style is even more outrageous than I had thought.
I honestly thought I would have gotten at least a semi-positive response….OUCH take that Mr. Hardy.
Maybe we wont be seeing his style for much longer if this is the response.
It’s like Affliction, Bape, and the other big names. It seems like they are lines for the “bar hoping survival kit” Go out to any bar or club scene and your bombarded by those full grungy, street wear designs. I think people want to say or people to know that they spend $90 on the shirt. The same idea for women with their dresses or Manolo boots or what have you..
Who knows what we used to do cenutries to get noticed! A little leaf placed here and there, lil olive oil to shine the skin up! Lets go back to sparta when it was easy!
*note* watched last night for inspiration* Normally I don’t use 300 as a metaphor
My first encounter with Ed Hardy was also a cap that I spotted somewhere in a fashion magazine. It caught my eye and even though I had no idea who or what Ed Hardy was, I knew I loved it. I live in Umhlanga and with the recent opening of a store here, all the rich folk around here are starting to sport their own piece of Ed Hardy extravagance, leaving me admittedly drooling at times. I am a total lover of things rare and different and this just got my attention. I probably won’t wear some of the items but there are a whole lot that I would kill to own. And this is coming from someone who is not at all a label junkie, just so you know. I guess this is one way of sporting tattoos without having to worry about being stuck with it for life
Ed Hardy Rocks
The best clothing range I’ve seen. I live in South Africa (East London) and you don’t get cool stuff here, but finally we got some Ed Hardy clothes here.
Awesom style man!!!!!!!!!!!!!
well unlike all these…oh so boring comments, people who think they know evrything…heres something 4 all u guys
ed hardy rocks! $90 is nothing 4 whoeva left that comment. dont insult other brand names just because you can only depend on mr.price fashions. don ed hardy, even if he’s old made a very good investment. people who dont like ed hardy are nuts. doesnt matter if you cant afford it, not everybody can.im not being mean about it. but dont insult it just because you’re jelouse coz u cant have.
well i’m gone…..lotsa luv 4 those out there who actuly have a fashion sense and love ed hardy mwah u guys,and 4 those who dont…oh well yall are just jelouse!
I wasn’t sure if I liked the brand until I saw pics of the designer,watsisname, with people like Alicia Keys, Busta Rhymez, 50Cent, Lionel Ritchie, Stevie Wonder etc and that’s a good enuff link for me.
What bother’s me is that riff raff are gonna be wearing Bangkok knock-offs soon and then I wouldn’t wanna be seen dead in this…
where can i find ed hardy t shirt in pietermaritzburg
i realy like the brand
Hi,
My daughter has an Ed Hardy print on her school bag. Unfortunately my helper washed the bag in the washing machine which destroyed the print. Is there any way it can be fixed?
Yolanda
Shooo Yolanda.
Well thats a bit of a difficult one to answer. I mean how destroyed is “destroyed”.
My first guess is no. I cant see it being easy to print over the already damaged area, maybe u can stitch some kind of material print over it? However, if you are close enough to one of the main Ed Hardy stores, such as the V&A, maybe they can help you out. Although I wouldnt hold my breath. Sorry to hear about this situation.
Can anyone else help Yolanda out?
D.
Ed Hardy vs Chuck Norris
Ed Hardy ye-man…Ed Hardy is the best fashion there is , all though i have to admit it is a bit pricy for our local SA dudes but still cool.