Chrome Hearts

Richard Stark and John Bowman started the business in a Los Angeles garage in early 1988. Bowman was a manufacturer of leather goods, while Stark merchandised top grade raw leathers. They initially established the label in order to produce leather jackets that weren't available on the market. The third partner was master sterling silver jeweller Leonard Kamhout. The company's first task was a costume design for Chopper Chicks in Zombietown, co-starring the girlfriend of Steve Jones, the lead guitarist of the Sex Pistols; While some accounts suggest Stark took the name of the brand from the working title of the movie, this was contradicted by Richard in a handwritten note detailing his early life which was published in a photography book in Japan, 1997; 'October 1998 - One sedated eve, my favourite design was conceived - I called it Chrome Hearts'. In 1992, the brand was awarded Accessory Designer Award of the Year by the CFDA. In 1994, Stark, Bowman, and Kamhout had a falling-out, and Bowman and Kamhout withdrew from the brand. Since 1994, Chrome Hearts has been co-owned by Richard Stark and his wife, Laurie Lynn Stark.

In 1996, the first Chrome Hearts flagship boutique opened at 159 East 64th Street, Manhattan, New York City. In 1991, the famous Maxfield Boutique would stock some early hardware items from the brand. In 1999, a second boutique opened in Minami-Aoyama, Tokyo. In 2000, Richard Stark collaborated with Tommy Perse, owner of Maxfield, and architect Mark Steele to build a third boutique in West Hollywood, California. In 2003, Chrome Hearts opened a boutique at Prince's Building, Hong Kong.

In the early 2000s, Chrome Hearts began publishing its own fashion magazine, which featured interviews and celebrity photoshoots, many of which were shot by Laurie Lynn Stark. It was published until 2017.

In April 2020, Chrome Hearts sued clothing brand MNML for using their trademark cross symbol on jeans. In 2023, they pushed further suing Fashion Nova and Shein for infringement on their signature motifs.

Goods and products

Chrome Hearts is primarily recognized for its clothing, accessories, furniture, leather products, and eyewear. Majority of their products are produced in their Hollywood production factory.

In July 2019, they introduced their first fragrance collection, based on two scents, featuring products such as incense and eau de parfum. At launch, the collection was exclusive to Selfridges in London. While Selfridges was an authorised retailer of the brand pre-2019, the launch marked the opening of a permanent store inside the shop.

Locations

There are Chrome Hearts boutiques in:

Americas: New York City, Los Angeles, Malibu, Las Vegas, Honolulu, Miami, Aspen, St. Barth