For those that like the look of tattoos but aren’t quite over the fence yet when it comes right down to the ink, tattoo in fashion is appearing just about everywhere, and Ed Hardy designs is leading the pack. Ed Hardy is a street lifestyle clothing label that will allow you to express yourself through tattoos without having to go through the angst, the pain, or the permanent fixture on your body. And, better yet, Boston will see Ed Hardy hit Newbury Street next month.
This chain sells both clothing and accessories inspired by tattoo artist Don Ed Hardy, and yes is is well known as the grandfather of the modern tattoo. The Newbury Street store will highlight 2,000 sq. ft. of Ed Hardy designs.
Ed Hardy began in 2004 when the high end designer Christian Audigier bought the rights to Hardy’s creations and began producing trucker hats that were well distributed, and well seen on celebs along the lines of Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears. In Hollywood, anything by Christian Audigier or Ed Hardy is ALL the rage.
Newbury Street in Boson till sell Ed Hardy at the high end range, providing more limited edition Christian Audigier pieces that feature the designs of L.A. tattoo icon Lucky. Hats will start at about $55 and T-shirts with tattoo sleeves starting at $187. Dresses for women will begin at $300. And, when you consider this is high end, those prices for Boston are not actually all that bad.
The Newbury Street store is the company’s 18th in America, and will take over space originally occupied by the military brand Army Barracks. You can expect some fanfare and red carpets at the grand opening as well.
“I think they’re going to do great,” said Tom Brennan, a broker with C. Talanian Realty who markets many Newbury Street retail spaces. “They have quite the following, and their stores are fabulous. He’s quite the hip thing for young people and, actually, middle-age people wear his stuff.”