Tattoo Taboo

Tattoo Taboo

In a world or protest and uncertainty are we reaching back to
our Neolithic ancestors to find inspiration to join in the new
wave of tattooing and piercing that’s become bang on trend?
The catwalks have been awash with body art and piercing this
season with designers such as Givenchy and Marc Jacobs
sending models down the catwalk adorned in jewels and body
calligraphy.
This is partly due to the 90s comeback we've seen on the
catwalks along with plaid shirts and a bare mid-riff. It’s also
partly to do with fighting back and protesting. Piercings and
tattoos seem to have some new territory again for 2013.
I recently joined my sister on her latest trip to Tattoos by Fletch
in Chepstow for a new piece of body art, and asked myself,
why do we get pierced and tattooed? There are obviously
personal reasons, but we don’t put ourselves through this pain
for fashion do we?

‘Self-Self-expression’was my sister’s response.
‘Memorial, a love of art,’my boyfriend exclaimed.

I personally have no tattoos and it’s not because I don’t like them. Being a make-up artist I love art
in many forms. The talent and beauty in the pieces of art created by Fletch and various other tattoo
artists shouldn't be shrugged off.
Tattoos are a far cry from the clumpy, green tinged ones of the 70s. You only have to watch ‘LA Ink,
Miami Ink’ to see the amazing creations that can be embedded onto one’s skin to appreciate the
talents and skills of these artists.
Having sat and watched Fletch carefully create Xina’s piece of art I had a nagging in my mind to do something. I was far too indecisive for a tattoo and being one to not miss out, I couldn't leave with nothing. So I had the top of my ear pierced. I first had this done as a teenager with said sister. She wanted to see if it
would hurt and decided to use me as the test dummy – Yes, it hurt but I loved it.
Unfortunately I lost the earring last year and it grew over. I've always had a sadness about the loss of my piercing, it was my little bit of rebellion from my teen years. Mainly because my mother would probably have had my bags packed had she known. Come to think of it, I’m not sure she knew about this new one!
I opted for the piercing on the other ear to celebrate the fact I could be a little bit brave and spontaneous, I can hear my sister laughing at my cowardliness now, no gun just a needle and a very great ear piercer Rich and I’m one jewel up again.