Ed Hardy Designer Christian Audigier Dies at 57

Christian Audigier, the designer of Ed Hardy, passed away at the age of 57 on Thursday after reportedly slipping into a coma once being admitted to Cedars – Sinai Medical Center. The fashion designer had been diagnosed with a form of cancer in January.

He revealed the news in April that he had MDS (Myelodysplastic Syndrome) and appeared hopeful after a recent bone marrow transplant. His long time publicist Michele Elyzabeth told LATF USA, “I just heard the news and I am truly devastated. Christian was an incredibly brilliant man. He will be missed.”

The French artist began to pursue his career in fashion at the age of 14 and soon moved to New York to work with brands such as Levis, Diesel, American Outfitters, and Bisou Bisou. Audigier’s major launch came when he partnered with Kenneth Howard, the owner of Von Dutch, and soon after came out with his own brand, Ed Hardy. The brand can be found in 40 countries across the globe. According to to gossip site TMZ, Audigier’s net worth was approximately $250 million.

He is survived by his eldest daughter and two sons.