Henri Alexander Levy

Enfants Riches Déprimés

From Atlanta, Georgia

Explore the provocative world of Henri Alexander Levy, the visionary artist behind Enfants Riches Déprimés. Known for his 'elitist, nihilist couture,' he blends punk-inspired aesthetics with extreme luxury to challenge the status quo.

Born in: 1991-07-14

Known for: Levy has redefined luxury for a new generation by prioritizing conceptual depth and exclusivity over commercial accessibility, creating a brand that serves as a socio-cultural critique of wealth and despair.

Henri Alexander Levy | Couturer Curated High Fashion

Early Life

Born into privilege in Atlanta, Levy attended prestigious international boarding schools like Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland. His formative years were marked by struggles with drug addiction, spending significant time in various rehabilitation centers—experiences that would later deeply inform the conceptual framework of his fashion brand.

Breakthrough Moment

In 2012, Levy founded Enfants Riches Déprimés (ERD) in Los Angeles, quickly gaining cult status for its high-priced, limited-edition garments that combine punk rebellion with aristocratic exclusivity.

Signature Style

Elitist punk and nihilist couture featuring shredded leather, oversized silhouettes, and controversial hand-drawn imagery. The brand is defined by artificial scarcity and a rejection of mainstream fashion norms.

Timeline

  • Born in Atlanta

    1991-07-14

    Born to wealthy parents in Georgia.

  • Founding of Enfants Riches Déprimés

    2012-01-01

    Launched the brand in Los Angeles.

  • Release of 'Aluminum Tastes Like Fear'

    2018-01-01

    Conceptual documentary exploring the brand's ethos.

  • Rats at the Ritz Campaign

    2024-01-01

    Landmark collaboration with Terry Richardson.

Major Contributions

  • Pioneering 'elitist punk' within the luxury fashion market.
  • Creating the 'Rats at the Ritz' photobook with Terry Richardson, a landmark of contemporary fashion provocation.
  • Melding fashion with video art through films like 'Aluminum Tastes Like Fear' (2018).

Brand Evolution

Founded in 2012, ERD has grown from a niche L.A. label into a global cultural phenomenon. Despite its high price points and nihilistic themes, it has garnered a massive following among celebrities like Kanye West and Jared Leto, while maintaining independent ownership and a refusal to advertise.

Personal Life

Levy is open about his history of addiction and his privileged upbringing, using these personal narratives to fuel the brand's 'elitist, nihilist' identity. He splits his time between Los Angeles and Paris.

Cultural Impact

ERD has reshaped the conversation around luxury and scarcity, proving that a brand can achieve mainstream visibility while remaining strictly anti-establishment and exclusive.

Quotes

  • "The price point eliminates the masses, and the ideas eliminate the people who I don't want." ~ Henri Alexander Levy
  • "ERD is a personal revolt against aristocratic social and political norms." ~ Henri Alexander Levy

Trivia

  • The name 'Enfants Riches Déprimés' translates to 'Depressed Rich Kids.'
  • Levy intentionally limits production runs (often fewer than 100 units) to maintain artificial scarcity.
  • He often produces pieces that are intentionally offensive to further distance the brand from the mainstream.

Key Collections

Rats at the Ritz (AW25)

A controversial photobook and collection featuring models styled in ERD gear alongside live rats in the opulent Ritz Paris, shot by Terry Richardson.

Debut Collection

The inaugural collection that introduced the world to the 'Depressed Rich Kids' aesthetic, sold exclusively through high-end boutiques like Maxfield.

Designers you might like


brands you might like


Chanel

Chanel

Paris, France

1910

Chanel is a legendary French fashion house known for timeless elegance, the Little Black Dress, tweed suits, and Chanel No. 5. Founded by Coco Chanel, it redefined modern women's fashion.

Christian Dior

Christian Dior

Paris, France

1946

Christian Dior is a legendary French fashion house that redefined post-war elegance with the 'New Look.' Today, it is led by Jonathan Anderson, who oversees women's, men's, and couture lines.

Balenciaga

Balenciaga

San Sebastián, Spain

1917

Balenciaga, founded by Cristóbal Balenciaga, is a pioneering house known for avant-garde silhouettes. Formerly led by Demna, it is now under the creative direction of Pierpaolo Piccioli as of 2025.

Gucci

Gucci

Florence, Italy

1921

Gucci is an emblem of Italian luxury, known for its eclectic and romantic aesthetic. In 2025, Demna took the helm as Creative Director, promising a bold new chapter for the house.

Givenchy

Givenchy

Paris, France

1952

Givenchy is a symbol of aristocratic elegance and modern luxury. Known for dressing Audrey Hepburn, it is now led by Sarah Burton, who joined in 2024.

Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen

London, England

1992

Alexander McQueen is a British luxury house defined by its emotional power, raw energy, and unparalleled craftsmanship. It explores the savage beauty of nature and history.

Maison Margiela

Maison Margiela

Paris, France

1988

Maison Margiela is a French luxury fashion house famously known for its deconstructivist and avant-garde designs. Glenn Martens is the current Creative Director.

Saint Laurent

Saint Laurent

Paris, France

1961

Saint Laurent, founded by Yves Saint Laurent, is an iconic French fashion house. Anthony Vaccarello currently leads the brand with a sharp, rock-chic aesthetic.

Rick Owens

Rick Owens

Los Angeles, USA

1994

Rick Owens is the lord of darkness in luxury fashion. Known for his 'glunge' (glamour + grunge) aesthetic, his brand is a brutalist, architectural monument to the beauty of imperfection.

Enfants Riches Déprimés

Enfants Riches Déprimés

Los Angeles, USA

2012

Enfants Riches Déprimés (ERD) is a quasi-anti-fashion label based in Los Angeles and Paris. Founded by Henri Alexander Levy, it fuses 'elitist, nihilist couture' with punk aesthetics.

Yohji Yamamoto

Yohji Yamamoto

Tokyo, Japan

1972

Yohji Yamamoto is a master tailor known for his avant-garde tailoring featuring Japanese design aesthetics. He is famous for his mastery of the color black.

Comme des Garçons

Comme des Garçons

Tokyo, Japan

1969

Comme des Garçons, led by the enigmatic Rei Kawakubo, is arguably the most influential avant-garde house in history. It treats fashion as pure artistic expression.

Prada

Prada

Milan, Italy

1913

Prada is the intellectual's luxury brand. Helmed by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons, it defines the 'ugly chic' aesthetic and sets the global fashion agenda.