A solitary existence, the current state of Chrome Hearts
A solitary existence, the current state of Chrome Hearts – We interviewed Chrome Hearts founders Richard and Laurie Lynn Stark and their families, who recently visited Japan. We sat down with Yungblud, the partner of her eldest daughter Jessie Jo, to ask about her one-of-a-kind creations.
By Megan Sauer
One of the purposes for which the Chrome Hearts family came to Japan was to create a business where the eldest daughter Jessie Jo Stark, who is active as an artist, handled the art direction, and her mother, Laurie Lynn Stark, one of the owners of Chrome Hearts, did the photography of Launch of the 2023 Fall/Winter advertising campaign that I was in charge of.
Jesse Joe’s partner, musician YUNGBLUD, accompanied them, and on October 27, 2023, they held a one-night-only live show hosted by Chrome Hearts in front of the Seitoku Memorial Picture Gallery in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
This is the first time the family has visited Japan since Chrome Hearts’ 20th anniversary in Tokyo in 2019. We also asked Richard Stark, the breadwinner of the family, about his honest thoughts on the family’s first visit to Japan in a long time.
Jesse Jo: Japan is like a second home for me, so I was excited to come to Japan for the first time in a while. Especially this time, I’ll be doing a live show, and I’ll have some free time to go around town, and I’m really looking forward to going to my favorite tempura restaurant, “Miyagawa” (Aoyama, Tokyo).
Youngblood: I’m thrilled to be able to come to Japan again. Since my first visit to Japan in 2022, I have fallen in love with the exciting city of Tokyo. This time, Jesse will be co-starring as the first performer, so we will enjoy a different atmosphere than at a festival.
──In Tokyo, advertisements featuring Jesse Joe and YUNGBLUD are being rolled out on a large scale. The photographer was Laurie Lynn. How did the three of you create it?
Laurie Lynn Youngblood didn’t feel uncomfortable being photographed; her expressions and movements were natural and it was really fun to shoot. Jessie is a little shy, and she wasn’t planning on filming. But Yungblud was a person with a lot of energy, so he pulled Jesse along, and with Jesse in the mix, it became a very emotional ending.
── Richard, how do you feel about the development of the advertising campaign and secret live performances in Japan?
Richard: Of course I agree. When everyone approached me with a plan, I immediately said, “Let’s do it.” Our family trusts each other, so if we receive a proposal, we usually make it happen. I always get good results.
──Does Youngblood have a big role?
Richard: I feel a new synergy with him. I’m very happy because it has a positive impact on the brand. Without him, this event would not have happened.
── Since its founding, Chrome Hearts has continued to attract people all over the world for many years.
What do you think is its charm?
Jesse Jo: We often talk about work and design as a family, and we all respect each other’s creativity, so there’s a base that accepts that.
Richard in particular has a big capacity, and at the same time, he sticks to his policies no matter what and continues to have a pure passion for making things, and we have inherited that spirit.
In addition to this kind of family love, I believe that the pure attitude towards manufacturing is what makes Chrome Hearts so attractive and has been communicated to people.
Jesse Jo Stark
Born in Los Angeles, USA. She is the eldest daughter of Chrome Hearts founder Richard Stark and Rory Lynn Stark. She has been designing clothing and jewelry for Chrome Hearts since she was a teenager. She is also active as a musician.
Youngblood
Born in Doncaster, England. Released their debut album “21st Century Liability” in 2018. In August 2022, he made his first appearance at Japan’s largest urban music festival, Summer Sonic.
He is a next-generation rock star who attracts the attention of music fans around the world.
