About
Chrome Hearts is a luxury brand originating from Hollywood, California. Founded in 1988 by Richard Stark, Leonard Kamhout, and John Bowman, the brand initially focused on creating high-quality leather jackets not readily available in the market. Bowman's leather goods manufacturing expertise and Stark's merchandising of premium leathers formed the foundation of the company. The addition of master silversmith Leonard Kamhout broadened Chrome Hearts' offerings. The brand's name is derived from the working title of the film *Chopper Chicks in Zombietown*, for which they created costumes. Following a partnership dispute in 1994, Bowman and Kamhout left the company, leaving Richard Stark and his wife, Laurie Lynn Stark, as co-owners. Over time, Chrome Hearts expanded its product line significantly, encompassing silver, gold, and diamond jewelry, eyewear, leather goods, apparel, furniture, and a variety of other objects. Known for its distinctive use of leather, silver, and ebony, the brand boasts a large-scale production facility in Hollywood, employing approximately 1000 staff in Los Angeles as of 2021. Chrome Hearts has collaborated with various notable designers and brands, such as The Rolling Stones, Comme des Garçons, and Rick Owens, further solidifying its position in the luxury fashion market. The brand has received significant recognition, including the CFDA Accessories Designer of the Year award in 1992 and the CFDA Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award for Richard and Laurie Lynn Stark in 2022.