Ink is the new pink! We think.
We have come to that age where new generations are taking over and where tattoos are no longer only for ‘’drug users’’ and ‘’criminals’’. The rebellious kids that were once labeled and out-casted for having some ink under their skin, now are our parents, uncles, aunts and grandparents. It is completely normal now to see bartenders in five star restaurants flashing their full sleeve art. To older generations tattoos will always be something pointless and something that ruins your body, but to everyone who loves to put a little color in their life, strangers opinions don’t matter, or anyone’s for that matter. I am not only speaking about tattoos but also about the whole culture of body modifications. I remember when you couldn’t have a centimiter-sized tattoo to be a model or to get a job. Today, people with body modifications actually attract costumers. Yes I said it, they are attractive! When you see a hot beautiful girl strutting her ink down the beach, heads will roll! I mean…turn. High fashion industry has to change constantly in order to beat their competitors and since 2012 we are seeing more and more body-mods on the runway and in editorials. And I am not talking about little heartshaped ‘stamps’’, no, no! Im talking BIG-BAD-INK!
Most famous, need I say his name? Zombie Boy aka Rico Genest
Talk about a life changing experience. Before he had any tattoos, Genest was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor. He was on the waiting list for 6 months, where he contemplated his life and possible death, before undergoing the surgery with minimal complications. His tattoos have a meaning, get it? In 2010, a Facebook fan page was created about his unusual choice of tattoos. This page reached 1,526,292 members and ultimately led to his discovery by Lady Gaga‘s fashion director Nicola Formichetti. What is even more interesting is the fact that Rico is not a ripped tall model that you see on catwalks, oh no no no, Rico is normal built like any other random guy sitting at home playing video games. The tattoos on his body make him far more vicious and manly then the other guy on the catwalk. This is the age of information and art and this generation, guys like him are the alpha males.
However the normal, random, generic catwalk models have also decided to be brave and probe their skins a little deeper. I mean no one can stop them now, and frankly it is all too easy to cover up, especially now when you have famous tattoo artists labeling their names on ‘’camouflage’’ make up products for big names like sephora.
Moving on to the second one. Is there one woman in this world that does not like a little bit of Grease-John Travolta in a man? The cute, the fashionable, romantic, but bad. Boys from the 50’s would steal anyone’s heart. That’s where we come to jimmy Q aka James Edward Quaintance III. Even his name sounds cool.
Ladies, hold your chairs and guys break out those notebooks, because this guy has something to teach you. He was born in Venice, LA the heart of skateboarding. Yes you guessed it; he is a tattoo artist, skateboarder and a rock star. He’s not just good at what he does, he’s incredible! Online you’ll see numerous videos of his skate stunts in Venice. He defines gravity and I’m not exaggerating. Ok enough about his talent.
When he walks down the street there is not one person that does not notice this bad boy. His alternative classic 50’s look mixed with the classic 30’s gentleman style definitely makes him special. He is also a model. Jimmy Q was featured in superdry’s campaign. He’s also been on the pages of Huge, Wylder and Nylon.
All right boys, I’m sorry to bother you too much with men, so lets switch to the nicer gender shall we? Okay. The models I am posting now are just making their names in the fashion industry. They are not the most famous models, but are coming up on the scene like Junkies on heroin.
Lets start with this beauty. Cara Delevinge.
Now, she is a very, very popular model. She walks almost every catwalk possible, and she is a Londoner. Cara does not have ‘’BIG BAD TATTOOS’’, but she has one that will rock your socks! I present to you, tat a tat a taaaaaah, the ‘’bacon’’ tattoo.
Yes this petite little beauty has a key to every man’s heart. Also that little lion head on her index finger is just the cutest thing ever, but that’s just me. I like cats.
Now Casey Legler used to be a ‘‘swimmer’’. She is also the first woman to be represented as a ‘’male model’’ by Ford model agency. You can see she has that ‘’butch’’ look. Also covered in tattoos all over the place, I think the one that says ‘‘rot’’ is my favorite.
Omahyra Mota is definitely a good example of a high fashion heavily tattooed model. It is almost impossible to find someone like this Dominican beauty on the scene. As you can see her arms are almost covered all the way. Her ‘’bad’’ girl look is attracting a lot of big names, and they don’t think twice about hiring think inked angel.
Kelly Palcy is a really heavily tattooed model and not just that, she has shitloads of piercings too! She is a happy owner of a left thigh piece , a back piece and many smaller tattoos on her arms. Not much is known about this girl but as days go by she is getting more and more attention.
Here is a bit of eye candy. Tasha Tilberg.
Yes I posted boobs! She does have nice ones. Anyways there is more to this girl than just perfectly shaped, gravity resistant, perky breasts that anyone would just like to… oh what was I saying? Ah yes…this Canadian model is not only inked but also a very successful model. But unfortunately for you guys she is a lesbian and she is married. To a woman of course. Tilberg has appeared in advertisements for Alberta Ferretti, Bloomingdale’s, Comma, Fendi, Esprit, Gucci, Mango, Missoni, Moschino, Versace and Versus and she has walked in fashion shows for, among others, Alessandro Dell’Acqua, Anna Molinari, Balenciaga, Blumarine, Dolce & Gabbana, DKNY, Fendi, Versace, Genny, Iceberg, Jil Sander, Les Copains, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Missoni, Moschino…you get the point.
This concludes my post about models and ink. If you are sitting in front of your computer rolling your fingers around and thinking you could be like them, you can! But it takes more than just some ink to put you on those catwalks. Being a model is a hard job and its not like taking selfies in your living room. But there is hope people. For all of us who were told that we can’t, times have changed. If you have desire, persistence and were genetically enabled to turn heads, one day you might be decorating an article like this. Stay cool and ”THINK INK”!!
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The Black Flag Meets Tattoo Artist Stacey Fitchett
We all know Tattoos and Music go hand in hand, from musicians sporting some great ink to having pictures of your favourite artists tattooed onto you, the link is obvious. Here at the Flag we love our tattoos almost as much as we love our metal so when the opportunity came up to chat to one of the UK’s most talented young artists we hoisted the anchor and made our way to the lovely Stacey Fitchett.
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Brighton Tattoo Convention
I was lucky enough to be able to go to the Brighton Tattoo Convention this year and see one of the greatest collections of art and artists on the planet, all together in one place. The atmosphere was buzzing (yes I know I already used that joke but hey…) and there were some fantastic tattoos on display.
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INTERVIEW: Alternative Model Scarlet Page Talks to The Black Flag
Modelling has always been a big industry albeit fiercely competitive. Alternative Modelling is no different, The Black Flag caught up with Scarlet Page who, despite being a newcomer to the industry, is one of Britain’s most sought after models on the alternative scene.
BF: You seem too be fairly new into modelling, can you tell us a bit about what you were doing before and what brought you into the modelling world?
SP: I started modelling a year ago last August, and before that I was a full time mum. I’m in a Volkswagen club called Derby VAGs and they asked if I would do some pics with a few of the cars and stuff on a photo-shoot that they had arranged. To cut a long story short the photos seemed to get shared around Facebook and the car world, and then photographers started getting in touch.
BF: Could you tell us a bit about your tattoos. What was your first one, what is your favourite one, are there any with any particular sentimental value, what are you planning to have done next?
SP: My first tattoo was the outline of a manga nurse on my thigh at 19. I then went on to have three more on my thighs which all actually stayed as outlines until last year when I finally had them coloured in haha! I just became addicted straight away. I have a few sentimental ones, there’s a male and female skull and crossbones with ’till death do us part’ in a scroll around it, we both had them when we got married 8 years ago. I also have my 2 boys names on my wrists, and a couple for friends i have lost. My favourite one, although probably aren’t very exciting, are the roses on my neck. I love them. In the next few months I plan to have my throat, stomach, sides and more on my legs.
Photo by Attitude Photography
BF: Tell us about yourself what you enjoy about modelling, if there’s anything you don’t enjoy about it. Are you happy to stay with the suicide girl style of modelling or do you want to branch out into a different areas?
SP: I’m not actually a Suicide Girl; I was accepted, but it made my freedom to do other things a little more difficult, and I can’t dedicate enough time to it. I like all types of modelling, I was quite restricted as to what I felt comfortable doing until I had a boob job in October. It’s given me a huge confidence boost, so I’m really pushing myself this year. I love everything from pin up to glamour.
BF: What inspires you, and who do you look up to?
SP: Influence wise I love Bettie Page, Sabina Kelley, Dita Von Teese. All of those girls are stunning, glamorous, confident etc etc.
BF: Is Scarlet Page a character that you put on when you’re modelling? Or is she always there at home as well as in the studio?
SP: Yes Scarlet Page is my modelling/work name. At home I’m just Aimee haha. Its nice having an alter ego!
BF: What would be your dream modelling job?
SP: My dream modelling job would be something like front page of Bizarre or a Tattoo magazine.
BF: Are your family supportive of you?
SP: Yes I have an amazing supportive circle of family and friends. They’re brilliant as they always vote for me in competitions!!
BF: You’ve obviously got a gorgeous figure. Do you have to work hard to maintain it, if so how?
SP: No, not really, but my mission this year is to tone up. I don’t mind if I put some weight on but I do want to get toned. I eat quite healthily although I do love chocolate far too much haha! I don’t smoke, drink or drink tea or coffee, and I drink a lot of water.
BF: Finally what advice would you give to someone trying to break into alternative modelling?
SP: Well I’m only just breaking into it this year properly, but take all the advice you can get especially from photographers when it comes to things like poses. Something you think may look stupid actually ends up looking amazing. Stay true to yourself, and don’t let anyone push your limit, especially when it comes down to what you are comfortable doing, and most of all just enjoy.
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- Photo by Attitude Photography
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- Photo by Attitude Photography
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- Photo by Attitude Photography
You can keep up to date with what Scarlet’s up to by becoming a fan on her Facebook page.
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Brighton Tattoo Convention 16th and 17th February 2013
The 6th Annual Brighton Tattoo convention is fast approaching and there is a BUZZ (sorry I just couldn’t resist) of excitement in the inked community.
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REVIEW: The London Tattoo Convention 2012 – Saturday 29th September
Well it was with great pleasure that the Black Flag was asked to review the London Tattoo Convention 2012 being held at the spacious Tabacco Dock.
This was the 8th year that the convention was being held in our fair city and apparently it has gone from strength to strength each year.
As we made our way towards the gates of the convention, we were amazed at the queues that run literally all around the building. This was clearly going to live up to the hype.
We made our way into the complex and started to explore. The whole place was alive with activity. Stalls selling merchandise were scattered around the convention, tattooists from across the world were busy working on punters who had obviously paid a pretty penny for the privilege of being inked by the best of the best, as well as countless special guests and entertainment throughout the day.
It being a Tattoo Convention, there was of course some truly awesome ink on display, everything from single tats right up to full bodywork. The sheer artwork being displayed was truly stunning. One of my highlights of the convention was a screening of the movie ‘Tattooed Nation’ which charted the rise of the tattoo in America from prisioners and gangs and into the mainstream, with a particular emphasis on Black and Grey tattooing.
There were some great performances at the convention, most notable being the Fuel Girls with their flame filled Ariel spectacular. When the angle grinder came out we knew we were in for a treat. There were also great acts from Fetish model Elergy Ellem performing a princess Leia slave girl routine (hubba hubba) and Sword Swallowing Lucky Hell. My only grip is that we had to leave before the Neville Staples Band.
We also met some great people at the convention, foremost of them is the lovely Missy Le Pink (interview on its way) who was there showcasing her Tattoo Tonic, Hayley off of Total Rock Radio and five Suicide girls who we ended up hanging out with.
So my overall opinion of the London Tattoo Convention was that it was a damn good day out. If you’ve got the money to spare and your into ink then the London Tattoo Convention is definitely worth the cost of admission beware though as you could end up spending some serious cash there. I personally cant wait till next years convention as I’m determined to get some work done…
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