Have you always wondered which sunglasses brands celebrities actually wear? I’m not talking about obvious designers like Gucci or Prada. There are a few names so cool and sought-after that only those in the know wear them.
Chrome Hearts sunglasses are one of the favorites of stylish celebs and fashion-it girls, and I’m going to tell you why.
What’s the Story Behind the Chrome Hearts Brand?
Chrome Hearts was co-founded in 1988 by Richard Stark, John Bowman, and Leonard Kamhout. The three men had a falling out in 1994, and Bowman and Kamhout withdrew from the brand.
A quintessentially Hollywood brand and a good example of the American dream, Chrome Hearts has cemented itself as an LA cool brand. It doesn’t get more all-American than their style and branding.
Today, Chrome Hearts is co-owned by Richard and his wife, Laurie Lynn Stark. The brand has evolved into a cult classic in the American luxury fashion world. Celebrities from Kim Kardashian to Bella Hadid have rekindled the brand’s pop-culture status in recent years.
It started mainly as an accessories brand. They made unique jewelry and enamel pins in gold and silver. They also made eyewear and leather goods.
Nowadays, they also do clothing and custom red-carpet looks, such as Kim Kardashian’s outfit at the 2025 Met Gala. For that look, Kim was dripping in diamonds and wrapped in crocodile-skin leather (controversial, maybe, but Chrome Hearts knows how to get people talking).
Their signature style is a high-end, gothic, biker mix, with lots of crosses, silver, and leather. That’s what makes them unique in the luxury fashion world. They don’t play by the rules or try to do prim and proper glamor. Instead, it’s all about that edgy, no-nonsense aesthetic.
LA vs NYC: What Makes Chrome Hearts Stand Out
The two coasts have been rivals in everything from sports to music to their food scenes for decades. It’s a (mostly healthy) rivalry that makes for some great entertainment.
But the reality is, New York has dominated the fashion scene when it comes to homegrown talent. There are some veteran heavyweights, such as Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, and Calvin Klein, to name a few. Then there are newer designers like Kate Spade and Tory Burch, who have become major names in accessories.
But LA hasn’t really focused on the fashion scene as much as movies or entertainment. That’s one reason Chrome Hearts is kind of a big deal. It’s a West Coast brand that’s taken seriously in the celebrity world of fashion.
Just like Calvin Klein or Donna Karen represent that busy, elegant New York woman, Chrome Hearts is all about that LA girl who wants to stand out in a crowd of beautiful people.
Is It a Serious Fashion Brand?
The simple answer is yes, but also no. This is where hype culture comes in. Chrome Hearts is a brand that’s made a name for itself for being elusive, contemporary, and made for the rich and famous.
It makes sense as an LA brand, but in the international fashion scene, it’s not held in the same regard as other American brands and certainly not modern European brands like YSL, Celine, or Miu Miu. They’re not as ‘high fashion,’ nor are they designated taste makers.
It’s a bit more of a niche brand for wealthy people, about that aspirational lifestyle, than classic ‘fashion.’
What’s the Style of Chrome Hearts Sunglasses?
The style of Chrome Hearts sunglasses follows their brand aesthetic. There are some classic aviator styles and round shades in their collection. However, there are also distinct, edgy, rock n’ roll styles featuring diamond-shaped frames, blue-tinted lenses, and retro metal frames. Think Ozzy Osbourne or Lenny Kravitz.
They sell men’s and women’s styles, but here’s the catch…
You can’t buy their sunglasses online on their brand’s website. In fact, their website is a little random and feels more like a work in progress, but that’s all part of the brand’s strategy. Even their Instagram page is mysterious. Rather than featuring their products, it’s more of a mood board.
On their website, they list their authorized resellers, but there’s no further information on their latest sunglasses drops or collections. They do sell other items on their website, including Baccarat crystal glasses, perfumes, soap, underwear, scarves, and socks. For sunglasses, though, you’ll have to go elsewhere.
But that’s the marketing genius of Chrome Hearts. They keep their products exclusive by controlling the styles and amount of products that hit the market. That’s also why they resell for big bucks on sites like Farfetch.
They’re in demand and appeal to collectors, but they’re not that easy to get your hands on.
Why Are Chrome Hearts Sunglasses So Expensive?
Chrome Hearts sunglasses are typically on the expensive side. I’m talking sometimes over 1,000 dollars. In fact, that’s common.
They’re more than your typical Celine sunglasses or Balenciaga pair. But the price can be explained, or at least I’m going to try to break it down for you.
They make their eyewear (or at least most components) in American factories. Domestic manufacturing costs more than having products made abroad and shipped in.
Secondly, a lot of the manufacturing process is done by hand. The emphasis is on quality, not on mass production. So, labor costs are higher, and on top of that, they pride themselves on using materials like titanium metal, expensive exotic woods, and a prestigious Japanese acetate called Zyl.
Some styles also feature intricate designs, such as little skulls or unique frames, making them more like a timeless piece of art.
The limited supply and cult-classic status of Chrome Hearts products mean they can up the price. It’s all about that brand image.
Chrome Hearts Sunglasses Are a Celebrity Favorite
Celebrities love investing in classic staple accessories. I’m talking about timeless, chic styles that don’t go in and out of fashion. The majority of Chrome Hearts sunglasses I’ve seen are less about looking trendy and more about that luxury appeal.
And it’s no surprise that they’re a favorite of celebrities since they often feature blingy metal frames. Bella Hadid has not only fronted Chrome Hearts ad campaigns, but she’s also been a guest designer and collaborator in the past. Huge icons like Jamie Foxx, Kate Hudson, and Hailey Bieber have also been spotted in the brand.
Chrome Hearts sunglasses give off that touch of high fashion, which is why they’re a red-carpet choice.
Top Chrome Hearts Styles
There’s a range of past styles available on resale, but Chrome Hearts doesn’t have set product drops. They can be sporadic and unannounced, taking fashion-lovers by surprise. Here are some styles you might still be able to find on the market.
These diamond-shaped sunglasses feature a gold-toned metal frame. They kind of look like a combination of something John Lennon and Prince would wear!
These cat-eye sunglasses show you what I mean about the special Chrome Hearts details. The 10k gold touches and tinted lenses make these the kind of sunglasses you wear to get noticed.
These men’s Chrome Hearts sunglasses exude that classic, masculine, old-Hollywood-movie-star energy. They’re the type of style that will get you compliments and maybe even a double-take. Yes, they really do look that good.
The Y2K Revival of Chrome Hearts
As previously mentioned, you’ll see some of Chrome Hearts’ items on the website, along with other accessories and some clothing. But the real fancy stuff isn’t available online. It’s custom-made for the buyer.
Kim K.’s previously mentioned Met Gala dress reportedly cost $80k! More recently, lovebirds Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner were spotted in matching Chrome Hearts looks courtside at a game. Timmy Chalamet has been wearing the brand somewhat religiously to games, which has led to an increase in requests and sales among a Gen-Z audience.
Gen-Z, in particular, is a big spender on the brand; they obsess over the brand and its Y2K LA aesthetic. It’s that revival of the 90210 and The Hills era, when Ugg boots and Juicy Couture were a staple around Rodeo Drive.
Instead of dying quietly like some other Y2K brands (rest in peace, Ed Hardy T-shirts), Chrome Hearts has won over young influencers. They started by being the go-to for rock stars and rappers like Jay-Z, but instead of fading away, they’ve become a top pick for the social media generation.
Sunglasses as an Entry-Level Accessory
Because Chrome Hearts has blown up, you’d think they’d flood the market with their products. But they’re doing the opposite. Apparently, they manufacture out of a 10,000 to 15,000 square meter factory in LA that can’t keep up with the demand for their products, be it couches or sunglasses.
But instead of aggressively expanding like pretty much all brands do, they just lengthen their delivery times. Sounds like bad customer service, right?
Kind of, but this strategy also maintains the elusivity and exclusivity of the brand. It’s like a secret, hard-to-get-into club that makes people want to get in even more (so they spend obscene amounts of money and wait months for products).
Sunglasses are one of the most ‘affordable’ products from Chrome Hearts. But the brand’s exclusivity is why they resell for big bucks on sites like Farfetch.
They go for upward of $2,000 a pair on the site. To put it into perspective, that’s double the cost of these luxury Japanese titanium Balmain sunglasses or these yellow-gold and titanium Linda Farrow sunglasses.
Some sunglasses selling for over $3,000 are made of acetate and have regular metal hardware; there’s no 24k gold or jewels for that price.
But when you see that socks, yes, regular socks, are reselling for $200+, then Chrome Hearts sunglasses look like a bargain.
It’s kind of comparable to Supreme’s hype. Remember when people (mostly millennials) would stand in line for hours for a pair of Supreme-branded products? Chrome Hearts is headed on that track.
Whether or not the momentum sticks remains to be seen, but as long as Timothée Chalamet and Kylie are wearing coordinating Chrome Hearts couples looks to Knicks games, it’s probably only going to keep growing.
TL;DR
Chrome Hearts has made a name for itself by carving out a unique space in the fashion industry. They’re uber luxury yet not easy to get a hold of, making people want them more!
- The brand started in Los Angeles in the ‘80s and is co-owned by a husband-and-wife duo.
- They specialize in silver and diamond-encrusted jewelry and high-end accessories, including sunglasses.
- They’re not as ‘classic’ as New York fashion design houses like Calvin Klein or Ralph Lauren. But the brand has built a reputation for itself.
- The sunglasses are not available from their site; instead, you have to find them in stores or on resale sites. But they can cost a pretty penny, even secondhand.
- On Farfetch, Chrome Hearts sunglasses go for around $2,000 to $3,000 a pair! Part of the reason is the brand’s exclusivity and limited collections.
- They are a highly sought-after collectors’ brand for their high-quality manufacturing, materials, and exclusivity.
- Celebrities, including Bella Hadid and Jamie Foxx, love rocking the shades. So it’s no wonder fashion-lovers love the brand.
- Since the Y2K hype has blown up over the past few years, Gen-Z has been after everything Chrome Hearts, from pants to sunglasses to socks (even those go for hundreds of dollars).
- The brand is a lot of hype thanks to celebrity sightings, but it remains to be seen if the Chrome Hearts bubble will burst.
What do you think, are Chrome Hearts sunglasses worth the hype?
