Chrome Hearts
What is Chrome Hearts?
Chrome Hearts is a high-end brand founded in 1988 by Richard Stark, John Bowman, and Leonard Kamhout. It showcases silver accessories made from 925 silver, 22K yellow gold, 18K white gold, and high-quality leather products, and is known as a brand favored by global celebrities such as Hollywood actors and musicians. It enjoys high popularity in Japan as well and is considered a rare brand that is not easily obtainable. All items are made in Hollywood, USA, and in 1992, it won the Accessories Designer of the Year award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Currently, Chrome Hearts has official specialty stores in the USA, Japan, Hong Kong, Paris, London, Taipei, South Korea, China, and more.
■ The establishment of the Chrome Hearts brand
Richard Stark, who founded Chrome Hearts, encountered leather product import while working as an apprentice carpenter and transitioned from carpentry to leather product sales. While traveling across the USA on his beloved Harley Davidson for sales, he met John Bowman, who was also in leather product sales, and they started a joint business in the leather fashion industry. They later pursued not only leather fashion for bikes but also wearable accessory fashion, and in 1988, they established the business by bringing in metal craftsman Leonard Kamhout. There are various theories about the origin of the name Chrome Hearts, such as "a heart that does not rust" and "a heart as strong as steel," but Richard himself is said to have stated, "There is no special meaning. I named it because it sounds cool and stylish."
■ From the establishment of Chrome Hearts to gaining popularity
In 1989, the year after its establishment, Richard's friend directed the film "Chopper Chicks In Zombie Town," for which he was responsible for the costumes. (The film became more famous under the title "Chopper Chicks in Zombietown," and it is known that the title was later changed in the main feature.) At that time, due to a lack of production budget, the focus was on simple leather riders' jackets, but this costume work gained word-of-mouth popularity and became a turning point for gaining popularity among bikers. As popularity increased, they began selling original buttons and zippers as independent products, and their reputation spread from bikers to rock musicians. In 1992, they won the Accessories Designer of the Year award from the CFDA. Following this, they gained explosive popularity among American celebrities and quickly expanded their popularity among general consumers.
■ Current Chrome Hearts
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They consistently showcase a wide range of products, not limited to leather items like riders' jackets and wallets, and silver accessories like pendants and bracelets, but also various goods such as caps, eyewear, furniture, Zippo lighters, and mobile phone straps. Even with the current high demand, they maintain a strict policy of not starting production until good materials are secured. This strong belief and insistence on good products further enhance the brand value of Chrome Hearts, establishing it as a representative brand of silver accessories worthy of the title "King of Silver." Currently, Richard's eldest daughter, Jesse Jo Stark, serves as the head designer. In her teenage years, she collaborated with the popular sneaker brand VANS. The designs presented by Jesse are characterized by a somewhat funky atmosphere, possibly due to her band activities, or a lineup that embodies a native sensibility with feminine and delicate images. It is known that she is also popular among famous celebrities and talents in Japan.
■ Japan and Chrome Hearts
Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons is credited with introducing Chrome Hearts to Japan. In 1991, Richard expressed his gratitude to Yoshida Katsuuki of Yoshida Bags and Gen Tarumi of Hollywood Ranch Market, who appeared together at the Comme des Garçons Homme Plus Spring/Summer 1991 collection in Paris, by removing their shirt buttons and replacing them with Chrome Hearts buttons, and he rewrote the tag as CHROME des GARCONS. It is said that Chrome Hearts and Comme des Garçons are deeply connected. Among musicians, Kyosuke Himuro used it for the SHAKE THE FAKE tour costumes. Kyosuke became a fan of Chrome Hearts after receiving a leather jacket as a birthday gift. There is an anecdote that while wearing a Chrome Hearts jacket on stage, he tried to take it off during the performance, but the accessories got caught, and he ended up cutting the sleeves off. Richard reportedly said, "I was actually happy because it was the first time someone cut my clothes so boldly. So, as a sign of respect, I added new leather and made it again as a gift." He also had personal exchanges with Richard and is known to be the only one who has sold Chrome Hearts as concert merchandise.
■ Other brands and Chrome Hearts
Karl Lagerfeld, who worked as a designer for Chanel and Fendi, is particularly famous as a Chrome Hearts enthusiast among global celebrities. Many collection brand designers also like Chrome Hearts, including Philip Lim. Due to its long-accumulated technical skills and high design quality, it has actively collaborated with collection brands, which is unusual for a silver accessory brand. Collaborations with shoe brands like UGG and WESCO, which are loved by bikers, as well as with Rick Owens and Gareth Pugh are also well-known. Chrome Hearts continues to enhance its brand value and evolve from a street brand to a luxury mode brand.
■ Caution regarding product variations ■
Due to the nature of Chrome Hearts' leather and silver products being handmade, individual differences and unique characteristics may occur depending on the manufacturing period and process. The product images posted on this site are taken when the products were received. There may be differences between the color of the leather or silver engravings and the actual product compared to the images on the product page. Depending on stock conditions, there may be cases where products are purchased through the Japanese domestic operator listed on the Chrome Hearts official site. Please understand this before placing an order.