Referring to Chrome Hearts as a “luxury” label has always felt a little off — mostly because Richard Stark has never cared for the word. In his world, luxury isn’t about status—it’s about mastery, independence, and building every piece with complete control. Yet, if there’s any American brand that embodies true luxury in its purest form, Chrome Hearts stands alone. From a small workshop to a billion-dollar force, the label has grown into one of the most influential design houses in modern fashion.
Chrome Hearts is Los Angeles distilled: black leather, silver hardware, rock-and-roll grit, and Hollywood excess, all fused into something unmistakably its own. Despite its global reach and cult-like following, the brand remains defiantly unconventional—no traditional press cycles, no fashion-week dependency, and famously, no e-commerce. While the rest of the industry rushed online and downsized physical retail, Chrome Hearts doubled down, planting new flagships and expanding its physical presence worldwide.
For more than 30 years, the brand has lived by the same message stamped across its stores and clothing: “Fk You.”** It’s a philosophy of doing things their way—and the world has only grown more obsessed.
The Origins: Leather, Silver & A Name Born by Accident
Though revered for its intricate sterling silver jewelry, Chrome Hearts began far more modestly—as a small leather shop. In 1988, Richard Stark, along with Leonard Kamhout and John Bowman, began crafting leather riding gear for their own motorcycle crew. Stark sourced premium leathers, Bowman oversaw production, and Kamhout, a trained silversmith, created sterling hardware. Together, they unknowingly shaped the first Chrome Hearts collection.
Before they even picked the name, their leather pieces were already gaining traction among bikers. Then came the unexpected break: a costume design job on the B-movie Chopper Chicks in Zombie Town. One introduction led to another, eventually connecting Stark with Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols. Jones became an early fan—and Chrome Hearts finally had a name and an identity.
From Hollywood to Global Obsession
The brand grew organically, fueled by word-of-mouth from musicians, actors, and artists who gravitated toward its rebellious craftsmanship. As Hollywood embraced the label, Chrome Hearts expanded into jewelry, eyewear, furniture, and categories that blurred the line between fashion and fine art.
The Stark family—Richard, Laurie Lynn, and their children—eventually transformed the brand into a true family empire. Laurie Lynn’s vision and bold eye for interiors helped propel Chrome Hearts into home goods and architectural design, reinforcing the brand’s all-encompassing lifestyle approach.
Though Chrome Hearts rarely speaks publicly, their presence is felt everywhere: in custom one-off pieces for celebrities, in high-profile collaborations, and in retail spaces so meticulously designed they feel like galleries.
Passing the Torch: The Next Generation
The brand may cling tightly to tradition, but the next wave is already here. The youngest Starks, Kristian and Frankie, each contribute their own creative voices—and run their own labels—while still working inside the family business.
Laurie Lynn has opened the doors to a world Chrome Hearts once kept hidden. Her Instagram now offers glimpses inside the brand’s massive 250,000-square-foot headquarters, showcasing upcoming pieces and behind-the-scenes craftsmanship. This transparency isn’t about hype—it’s about drawing younger collectors into the physical stores, the only places Chrome Hearts truly exists.
A significant force in this evolution is Jesse Jo Stark. Beyond her well-documented friendship with Bella Hadid, she was responsible for connecting the family with artist Matt DiGiacomo, better known as MattyBoy. His irreverent, illustration-heavy designs injected new energy into the brand and resonated instantly with younger fans.
Bella Hadid would go on to become the unofficial face of Chrome Hearts—modeling eyewear campaigns, creating CHROMEHEARTS+BELLA capsule collections, and cementing her relationship with the Starks as part of the family fabric.
American Luxury Reimagined
Chrome Hearts has grown far beyond jewelry and leather. In 2014, the brand purchased a minority stake in The Elder Statesman, supporting designer Greg Chait as he expanded production and opened his first retail store. Over the past decade, the Starks have quietly acquired nearly $100 million worth of Malibu real estate. The comparisons to Ralph Lauren—a family-run American luxury empire—are not accidental. They’re intentional.
Richard Stark envisions Chrome Hearts as a 150-year legacy brand—something built to outlast trends, hype, and even generations. It’s the craft that matters: pushing boundaries in silverwork, leather, textiles, furniture, and design. It’s not about making more T-shirts. It’s about building a world.
And that’s exactly where Chrome World comes in. Bringing accessibility of original authenticity guaranteed Chrome Hearts products to enthusiasts all around the world.
After creating a Chrome Hearts–exclusive Vespa, Laurie Lynn was approached to design a single floor of Soho House. Her response?
“Give me the whole thing.” and then it begun, it wasn’t long until Chrome World became only the largest Chrome Hearts retailer.
That attitude is the essence of American luxury today. Unapologetic. Custom. Iconic.
And whether the world understands it or not—Chrome Hearts defines it.