"Godfather of Street Chic" Christian Audigier can easily claim the title of Fashion High-Roller,
ringing up bookings in excess of $35 million at last week's Project and Magic Shows in Las Vegas. Buyers, distributors and celebrities from around the world attended six runway shows at the Sands' Convention Center, which Audigier turned into a "Mad Max Thunderdome" complete with motorcycles, barbed wire, chain link fences, sixteen top models from Europe, plus internationally renowned DJ Romain Pelletti to funk it up.
   
The never-to-be-outdone Christian Audigier offered up not just one new line of clothing, but three simultaneously -- for his eponymous Christian Audigier(TM) brand, as well as that of Ed Hardy(R) and Smet(TM), lines that are indelibly imprinted in retailers' hearts and on customers' minds. The fall collections include his renowned T-shirts, hoodies, and trucker hats; plus, handbags, men's and women's jeans, men's loungewear, women's lingerie, sunglasses, knits, leather jackets, shoes, watches, belts, scarves, and a few additional surprises in the near future from this dynamic designer.
   
The impressive bookings dwarf last year's $3.8 million written at the same convention, and more than double the $14 million written in Las Vegas this past February. All of this validates the public's overwhelming appetite for this fashion lifestyle guru whose clothing embraces all the races. In between shows, a celebratory Christian Audigier proclaimed, "Viva Las Vegas! We're here for everyone and want to thank our customers and fans for all their support!"
   
Audigier-inspired fashion, with its vibrant colors and exuberant, life-affirming attitude, brings back the excitement of dressing up without the discomfort. Worn by everyone from Liz Taylor and Larry King to Busta Rhymes, P. Diddy, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and anyone secretly hooked on YouTube, this fashionable apparel with crossover appeal has something for everyone.
   
Department stores including Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Macy's and Dillard's, and exclusive boutiques such as Atrium, Lounge, LuLu Couture, M. Fredric, Up Against the Wall, Planet Funk and Le Lotus Bleu carry the lines -- evidence of their appeal stretching across race, gender, and age demographics. Christian Audigier, Ed Hardy and Smet have devoted fans
outside the U.S. as well. The distinctive tattoo-inspired hats, T-shirts and hoodies can be seen everywhere from Japan and Germany to Australia, Dubai, and the Czech Republic.
   
"The response to our lines was phenomenal!" stated chief operating officer Henry R. Mandell. "This reflects the evolution of our brands into must-have items for leading retailers. The strong demand is clearly a reflection of our in-store performance."
   
Christian Audigier began his career at age fifteen in his native Avignon, France. In over three decades, he has designed and influenced such companies as Levi's, Naf-Naf, Diesel, Fiorucci, Guess, Bisou Bisou, Bebe, and American Eagle Outfitters, among many others. In 2001, he joined Von Dutch as head designer, and his vision made it one of the most prolific brands in recent history. Notably, it was at Von Dutch that Audigier directed his attention toward a simple, and somewhat surprising accessory: the trucker hat. He deftly transformed this normally unattractive headwear into a hot accessory that has inexplicably defied mere trendiness.
   
After three years there, the French-born phenomenon decided to strike out independently. Being a lifelong admirer of tattoos, he sensed a new trend and asked legendary tattoo artist Don Ed Hardy to collaborate with him, together creating an even bigger fashion sensation. Ed Hardy clothing appeals to those who crave designer tattoos without the pain.
   
That overwhelming success inspired him to launch his eponymous Christian Audigier brand in 2005, clothing with the same Ed Hardy vitality, but with more luxurious fabrics and stunning designs that steadily entice typical Gucci, Prada and D+G clientele looking for a bit more. In the words of designer Tommy Hilfiger, "The stuff is brilliant, just amazing!"
   
Recognizing further opportunity, Audigier looked to the streets of Los Angeles, New York, Paris and beyond to create yet another line in August, 2006, this time a more edgy, rock 'n' roll-inspired line offering darker colors with simple, straightforward designs. Partnering with childhood friend Johnny Hallyday, the legendary French rock 'n' roll superstar, "Smet" Born on the Street has become the fastest growing brand within Audigier's empire.
   
After taking his energy and creativity to the next level, combined with eight company-owned stores in the United States, and over twenty licensed stores worldwide, the audacious Audigier credits his recent outrageous good fortune in Las Vegas to more than Lady Luck: he knows what people want and people who buy his lifestyle clothing recognize a sure thing.
   
For further information about Christian Audigier or Christian Audigier, Ed Hardy and Smet brands, please contact:
   
Note: Ed Hardy(R) is a registered trademark of Hardy Life L.L.C. Christian Audigier is a trademark of Christian Audigier, Inc. Smet is a trademark of Jean Philippe Smet. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
    http://www.donedhardy.com/
    http://www.christianaudigier.com/
    http://www.smetshop.com/

Thanks for reading this artilce at the Fashion Newspaper.  You can see more from Christian Audigier at the Fashion Week Photos website.