When I heard Ed Hardy was showing at LAFW, my curiosity was piqued to the highest. Their Namilia collab at Berlin Fashion Week had already laid down the challenge, teasing a vibe that felt brash, loud, and impossible to ignore. It set the tone for what the night might deliver, and if there’s one thing Ed Hardy has always done, it’s command everyone’s attention.
The Scene
The top floor of the W Hotel overlooking smoggy golden glow of Hollywood, Ed Hardy’s PR knows exactly what they’re doing—they ate. Carrington Bornstein sat front row, rocking head-to-toe Ed Hardy and serving face with those icy blue eyes, while Denzel Dion brought the kind of energy only he can—fierce and effortless.
It was a curated mix of LA’s fashion baddies, all holding their breath to see if Ed Hardy could make us care again…And honestly? We do.
The Collection
The collection was pure 2000s chaos, distilled into the kind of LA rocker-baddie energy that everyone wants to fuck. The first look? A reworked Ed Hardy butterfly top, complete with a roaring panther graphic, paired with low-rise black leather pants and a chain swinging seductively at the side. I couldn’t help but think, How Narcissist-coded is that?!
From there, the runway delivered hit after hit, and props to whoever styled all the pieces together—the styling was absolutely top tier. Tube tops met blazers in an unexpected hookup. Graphic tees clashed unapologetically with denim miniskirts, while low-rise pants flaunting peeking whale tails screamed, that’s hot! (in a Paris Hilton voice of course!)
Tattoo-sleeve shirts layered under perfectly snug tanks, hoodies slouched just enough to look effortless but sharp enough to kill. Tailored pants walked the line between streetwear and rockstar sophistication. The plunging V-line leopard dress? A showstopper. And the catsuits? Leopard-printed, tattoo-splattered, skintight perfection that demanded attention and got it.
Think muscle tees, sequin boxing shorts, and wallet chain-covered shorts over fishnets, giving major rocker maximalist energy that we’ve been waiting for. Smudged eyeliner and messy beach waves tied it all together, giving off that perfectly undone LA vibe.
So who’s behind the reboot?
Kevin Christiana, the brand’s creative director, has been quietly building toward this moment since taking the reins in 2020. His vision? Strip away the over-the-top flash of the early 2000s and bring Ed Hardy back to its roots—Don Ed Hardy’s legendary tattoo art—but with a fresh, elevated twist. This isn’t nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake; it’s a reclamation of cool for a new generation.
The Verdict
The hype train left the station months ago, and this show felt like its final destination. The Namilia x Ed Hardy link-up in Berlin may have been a soft launch, but this? This was the main event—the moment Ed Hardy’s comeback truly cemented itself.
The buzz is everywhere. After the runway show, I flew to Vegas for ComplexCon and saw firsthand just how many people were rocking Ed Hardy. One line, in particular, was impossible to ignore, stretching longer than anything else at the event. Curious, I asked someone what they were waiting for, and he replied, “Ken Carson and Ed Hardy.” Their ComplexCon collab with Ken Carson has already been hailed as the Best Collaboration of the Year, and judging by the turnout, it’s easy to see why.
Written by Kimberly Mortensen
Photography by Nico Riley
Check out he highlights from the show at LAFW, every single piece is Narcissist approved!