Ed Hardy clothing takes its name from the man who inspired the line, Don Ed Hardy. Hardy is considered one of the best tattoo artists in the world and in tattoo circles he is called "the godfather of modern tattoo". His Japanese meets American style is highly original and highly sought after around the globe.

Christian Audigier, who had previously designed lines for brands such as Urban Outfitters, Diesel and Von Dutch, saw a great opportunity in Hardy's work. He approached Hardy in 2004 with an idea for a clothing line based around his art and tattoo work. Hardy granted Audigier a license to use his work, and Ed Hardy clothing was born.

Ed Hardy clothes quickly became a sensation across the world, but nobody took to the new range more than Hollywood's celebrity elite. Madonna wearsEd Hardy caps and t-shirts almost daily, and Britney Spears was recently filmed raiding the designer's massive California warehouse.