The memoir of iconic tattoo artist Ed Hardy from his beginnings in 1960s California, to leading the tattoo renaissance and building his name into a hugely lucrative international brand.
"Ed Hardy" is emblazoned on everything from t-shirts and hats to perfumes and energy drinks. From LA to Japan, his colorful cross-and-bones designs and ribbon-banners have become internationally ubiquitous. But, long before the fashion world discovered his iconic designs, the man behind the eponymous brand spearheaded nothing less than a cultural revolution.
In Wear Your Dreams, Ed Hardy recounts his genesis as a tattoo artist and leader in the movement to recognize tattooing as a valid and rich art form, through to the ultimate transformation of his career into a multi-billion dollar branding empire. From giving colored pencil tattoos to neighborhood kids at age ten to working with legendary artists like Sailor Jerry to learning at the feet of the masters in Japan, the book explains how this Godfather of Tattoos fomented the explosion of tattoo art and how his influence can be witnessed on everyone, from countless celebs to ink-adorned rockers to butterfly-branded, stroller-pushing moms. With over fifty different product categories, the Ed Hardy brand generates over $700 million in retail sales annually.
Vividly packaged with original Ed Hardy artwork and ideal for ink devotees and Ed Hardy aficionados alike, Wear Your Dreams is a never-before-seen look at the tattoo artist who rocked the art world and has left a permanent mark on fashion history.
"Tattoo visionary Hardy has produced an engrossing memoir that serves as both a colorful guide to the history of the tattoo revival and a window on the life of an ambitious, blue-collar artist…a thoughtful narrator…He paints vivid thumbnails of characters like Sailor Jerry and Christian Audigier…Hardy has no shortage of anecdotes and he's not shy about copping to his mistakes…he never loses his genial tone. Tattoo couldn't have a better spokesperson."
Publishers Weekly
"Surprisingly heartfelt memoir by an iconic American tattoo artist."
Kirkus
"Hardy shares his life in this memoir exploring how he came to be one of the world's most famous tattoo artists. In his travels and travails, Hardy has helped moving tattooing from the cultural wastebasket to the cultural norm. Here, he shares some of his breakthrough moments, some of his regrets, and much of his inspiration. With a rasp in his voice, Johnny Heller sounds in many ways just like Hardy, and it's clear why he was chosen as the narrator. Hardy's nonchalant attitude about his beginnings and even his success is captured by Heller, who can deliver a light and laid-back tone."
