Bella Hadid visits China with Chrome Hearts to open US label’s new store – and help a childhood friend
The American model and fashion icon was in Hangzhou to open Chrome Hearts’ second store in China with the brand’s co-founders Richard Stark and his wife Laurie Lynn, and daughter Jesse Jo
“This is the longest time I’ve spent in Asia,” says a fresh-faced Bella Hadid, fashion’s model of the moment, who has been in and out of the region for the past month.
Also sitting with us at the table at the Amanfayun Resort in Hangzhou are Richard Stark and his wife Laurie Lynn – the co-founders of jewellery/fashion label Chrome Hearts – and their daughter Jesse Jo Stark, who is also Hadid’s childhood friend. It’s a veritable collection of Los Angeles fashion royalty.
Through Chrome Hearts, Richard Stark has been making unique pieces for famed musicians for 30 years. “Ninety-five per cent of the things we sell, we make in our LA factory,” he says, referring to a product catalogue that ranges from home art pieces and furniture to diamond jewellery, leather miniskirts – and a 9,000 yuan (US$1,400) carved silver handle toilet plunger in a glass case I find at one end of their Hangzhou store.
A mention of the plunger puts a mischievous grin on his face. “It’s what you give someone who has everything!”
“We create our own culture at Chrome Hearts,” Laurie says, adding that it is influenced by their powerful musician fan base.
