Don Ed Hardy was born in 1945 in Corona del Mar, Newport Beach, California. Protégé to Norman Keith Collins, better known as Sailor Jerry Collins, Ed Hardy studied the art of tattoo in Japan in 1973 with the Japanese classical tattoo master, Horihide. The incorporation of Japanese tattoo technique and aesthetic with American style work is one reason for the recognition of tattoo artist Ed Hardy. Along with his wife Hardy Apero Marks Publications was formed in 1982 resulting in the publication of more than 20 books featuring the work of Ed Hardy and Sailor Jerry Collins. Ed Hardy is now retired from tattooing but still oversees and mentors at his San Francisco studio, Tattoo City. Although retired from tattooing, Hardy has not stopped creating his unique style of artwork in the form of printmaking, drawing, and painting.
In 2002 Ed Hardy began placing his artwork on clothing. Today you will find Ed Hardy tee shirts, Ed Hardy handbags, Ed Hardy pants, Ed Hardy swimwear, and the one we love the most…..Ed Hardy shoes, all featuring the Ed Hardy tattoo designs. Ed Hardy shoes are the first company to merge tattoo graphics with footwear. They began with Ed Hardy sneakers but the demand for the tattoo look in footwear has grown so that you can now find Ed Hardy flip flop sandals, Ed Hardy dress shoes, Ed Hardy casual sandals, and Ed Hardy boots. It seems that the sky is the limit for Ed Hardy designs on footwear and clothing.