SpendIt Tattoo Special

Magic markers A pair of swallows over your throat? Or a winking girl behind your knee? What would you get? Lindsey Johnstone explores current trends in tattoo art

And you thought tattoos were an expression of individuality? Celebrity copycat body art is more popular than ever, with images of Rihanna and Cheryl Cole currently the most frequently ripped from the gossip mags and taken to the tattoo parlour.

‘Everyone wants something on the side of their hand like Cheryl Cole,’ says Fiona McKay, studio manager at Forevermore on Glasgow’s Hope Street, ‘or stars on their neck like Rihanna.

‘The hand is definitely the new tramp stamp, whereas two years ago you never saw it. The inside of the finger is a big thing now too Rihanna and Lily Allen both have “shhh” tattooed there, so that’s probably why.’ Roz Collins, studio manager at Edinburgh’s Tribe, echoes this, ‘The side of the hand is the 2010 tattoo.’

Encouragingly however, the flipside in terms of current tattoo trends is originality, contrary to the celebrity influence.

‘Aside from the celeb stuff,’ says Collins, ‘we are actually seeing people being a lot more original than they used to be; coming in with their own ideas, or customising flashes, and generally being more daring, both with their designs and where they want them.

14 THE LIST 8–22 Jul 2010

‘People are going for larger pieces too, and for their first tattoo, rather than starting with something small. Ribs are also these days. more popular They’re notoriously uncomfortable to have done, so before it was hardcore enthusiasts that got work there, but now we see first-timers getting their ribs done too.’ Tribe specialises in traditional Japanese artwork, and the studio has seen a surge in its popularity, with Collins citing tattoo parlour TV show Miami Ink, which features the style heavily, as the reason.

‘Sailor Jerry is definitely having a big moment,’ says McKay. ‘We’ve seen a real increase in all the traditional imagery roses, mermaids, Victorian heads.’

‘WE SEE A LOT LESS OF WINNIE THE POOH THESE DAYS’

As for what’s on the way out, both studios have seen a decline in tribal and Celtic tattoos. The heavy, black designs covering biceps are being ditched in favour of more colour and detail. David Beckham’s influence is waning too, with both seeing fewer clients come in with pictures of body art’s former poster boy.

Somewhat gratifyingly, Collins also reveals: ‘You don’t really get people asking for cartoon characters anymore either we see a lot less of Winnie the Pooh these days. ‘People seem to be thinking more about how they’ll feel about their tattoo when they’re 60. Because tattoos are more mainstream these days, people seem more aware of what they maybe should and shouldn’t get done.’ The studio also offers a laser removal service, although these days clients are more likely to have previous work removed to make way for the new, rather than out of regret.

‘A lot of people get things removed to make way for bigger pieces,’ says Collins. ‘They want to be even more ambitious and are getting rid of smaller, tamer pieces to make space. ‘Other than that, it’s the stuff you’d expect to regret; devils they got when they were 18, holiday tattoos that don’t look quite so good once you get home and sober up. And of course, names. It’s the cliché of the romantic gesture that didn’t work out. I’ve seen enough of those to recommend never getting one.’

glasgow.forevermoretattoo.co.uk, www.tribetattoo.co.uk, www.sailorjerry.com