It’s one of the most coveted and exclusive brands in the world. Few people know that the fashion house has a thirty-year history and was started by just a few friends. The brand’s products are renowned for their quality and unique design, becoming a symbol of individuality and high status. More at losangeleska.com.
The Brand’s Origin Story
The brand was founded in 1988 in Los Angeles by Richard Stark, Leonard Kamhout, and John Baumann. Its headquarters is located in the heart of Hollywood, with a manufacturing campus spanning three blocks. It started, however, as a small workshop making leather goods and silver jewelry for bikers. At the time, John was already crafting leather goods, while Richard sold fabrics and leather. They were both avid motorcyclists and decided to create their own leather jackets and accessories because they couldn’t find anything that matched their standards for style and quality. Soon, they were joined by a third partner: jeweler Leonard Kamhout, who worked exclusively with sterling silver. They combined their skills and began creating leather jackets with custom zippers and snaps.
The unique blend of Gothic aesthetics, rock-n-roll spirit, and high quality quickly captured the attention of celebrities and the fashion industry. The company’s first major gig was designing costumes for the film “Chopper Chicks in Zombietown,” where the actresses wore stylish leather jackets from the new designers. The brand’s name, “Chrome Hearts,” actually came from this film—it was the movie’s original working title.
In 1994, the partners had a falling out and parted ways. Richard took over the business, running it with his wife, Laurie Lynn. Laurie handled the company’s marketing strategies, and her efforts helped propel “Chrome Hearts” to global popularity. Today, the brand is still managed by Richard and Laurie Stark, but they have since been joined by their three children.
By 1996, “Chrome Hearts” opened its first flagship store in Manhattan, New York. It offered a range of items, including jewelry, home decor, sunglasses, accessories, watches, furniture, and, of course, apparel.
The exclusivity of “Chrome Hearts” is highlighted by its limited retail footprint, with stores in only a few cities worldwide, including Los Angeles, New York, Tokyo, and London. Each location features a unique interior design. Today, “Chrome Hearts” isn’t just an expensive brand; it’s a cultural phenomenon. It represents individuality and freedom.
The Brand’s Uniqueness
“Chrome Hearts” stands out for its provocative design and use of high-quality materials. The brand’s signature elements include:
- Handcrafted silver jewelry with heavy Gothic motifs (crosses, skulls, fleurs-de-lis).
- Leather jackets and accessories embellished with metal hardware.
- Vintage-style eyewear and textiles featuring signature emblems.
The brand avoids mass production, ensuring its products remain exclusive. Beyond the style and “brutalist” aesthetic, the items carry a very high price tag. This is because everything is handcrafted from expensive metals, precious stones, and high-end leather.
The Eyewear Collection
The first eyewear line was launched in 2002, following 19 months of development. The brand’s owners entrusted the production of this special line to “OSA International.” “Chrome Hearts” dedicated maximum effort to achieve their desired result. The best specialists in the industry work on the eyewear, using high-tech materials. This combination of factors makes “Chrome Hearts” frames both innovative and contemporary.
The brand’s eyewear collections are considered a true innovation of the 21st century and are among the most expensive in the world. To create these unique models, materials like precious metals, exotic woods, high-quality leather, plastic, and titanium are used. Some pieces are crafted from silver, gold, or platinum. Special jewelry-making techniques are used to finish the frame details.
Who Wears This Brand?
Thanks to its authenticity and rebellious aesthetic, “Chrome Hearts” has become a favorite brand among celebrities. It’s worn by Kanye West, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, G-Dragon, The Weeknd, Travis Scott, and many others.
The brand has had many collaborations with high-profile figures. Thanks to its brutal Gothic and rock-n-roll style, “Chrome Hearts” has worked with rock legends like The Rolling Stones, Guns N’ Roses, and Aerosmith. But their client list also includes Elton John, Bono, Cher, Rihanna, Drake, and Karl Lagerfeld. Lagerfeld, in particular, absolutely adored the brand’s eyewear, buckles, and jewelry.
Supermodels also love the brand. For instance, Bella Hadid has frequently been seen wearing “Chrome Hearts” pieces. She has even participated in several of the brand’s advertising campaigns.
“Chrome Hearts” actively collaborates with other brands. They have released joint collections with “Adidas,” “Off-White,” “Louis Vuitton,” “Baccarat,” Rick Owens, and “Comme des Garçons.” Another unique brand collaboration was with the rapper Drake. They jointly participated in creating an exclusive “Rolls-Royce Cullinan” model featuring custom leather seats.