Designer John Galliano unveiled tattooed stockings for his spring 2004 collection for Christian Dior.
Lucien Pellat-Finet offers cashmere sweaters and diamond watches brandishing tattoo skulls in NYC for $1,200-$3,500.
The exploitation of a counter-culture, when its monetary value is discovered, is painfully inevitable - but, the sole blame is not always on the hoitey-toiteys. Legendary tattoo artist Don Ed Hardy said of designer Christian Audigier, “This guy is at ground zero of everything that’s wrong with contemporary civilization. However, if he wants to make a lot of money with my art, and it’s not overtly negative, then what the hell.”
The oh-so-trendy Ed Hardy is not alone in his thinking. Check out the top five clothing designers fashioning tattoos as couture in our inked up modern society.
Sailor Jerry
Norman “Sailor Jerry” Collins (1911-1973) is considered among many as the reigning American tattoo artist of his time. His artwork epitomizes the old-world sailor tattoo: winking maidens with shapely thighs and pert knockers, ships on the bounding main, skulls, red roses and taunting women embracing serpents - respectively. In 1999, protégés and tattoo legends Don Ed Hardy and Mike Malone partnered with a Philadelphia clothing company to establish Sailor Jerry Ltd., producing clothing and other items such as ash trays and shot glasses. The company also makes batches of 92-proof spiced rum featuring a Sailor Jerry hula girl on the label. www.sailorjerry.com
Christian Audigier
THE MAN behind modern day, tattoo-inspired consumerism. Christian Audigier acted as chief designer for Von Dutch in 2002 - creating the edgy style that turned the company into a pop-fashion phenomenon. He was granted the exclusive rights to the designs of iconic tattoo artist Don Ed Hardy and launched Ed Hardy, one of the hottest labels in the world. Thousands of celebrities don his gear, including Britney Spears (what!), Kanye West, Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, Marilyn Manson, Madonna, and countless athletes. He often premieres his latest “underground” lines at the annual Mercedes Benz fashion week. www.christianaudigier.com, www.donedhardy.com
Sleeves, Inc.
Based in LA, Sleeves Inc. was conceived by Christien Tinsley, Oscar-nominated make-up artist (2005, The Passion of the Christ). Sleeves Inc. came onto the fashion scene in 2003 and the buzz was far reaching. Brad Pitt selected pieces to wear in a 15-page layout of L’Uomo Vogue.
Sleeves’ PR boasts: “Want to look like you’re punk rawk without jeopardizing your chances at that cushy white-collar job? Visit Sleeves for the ultimate in instant cool: a line of shirts designed to look as though you’ve been ferociously tattooed. Running from $80 to $100 bucks - they’re a small price to pay for looking cool without actually having to go under the needle.” www.sleevesclothing.com
Inkslingers USA
Inkslingers owner Mike Jezkiah has a chain of tattoo studios in Michigan, inking the likes of Brad Pitt, Eminem, Kid Rock and the Dixie Chicks, and has screened his original designs onto tees, denim and leather jackets. Sporting stitched back-pockets and wrinkled fabric, this clothing line goes for the vintage-look. Accessories and sneakers will soon be added to the collection. www.myspace.com/inkslingersusa
Vato
LA-based designer Rodney Rodriguez started his tattoo-inspired Vato line by giving away his shirts at clubs to generate word-of-mouth business. Now Rodriguez, 32, sells his garments in some of LA’s hippest shops - Madison, Fred Segal and Traffic - as well as stores in New York, Hawaii and Tokyo. His pieces can be seen on the chests of Jennifer Lopez, Pink and Christina Aguilera, and he has established a Vato line for children with many of the same graphics…just smaller. www.vatoclothing.com
Check out more tattoo industry products and gear here.
