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Cosmopolitan blog awards

Cosmo blog awardsI feel extremely honoured to be shortlisted for a Cosmo Blog Award, in the Lifestyle section.

I have been writing about tattoos for a number of years now and I would love to see an alternative blog, such as Th’ink, be a winner in a fashion-dominated world.

As tattoos gain increasing currency in contemporary culture, my blog mimics the chic aspirations of girls just like me. Those who use tattoos as a way of expressing themselves, but are not necessarily completely covered, and see the beauty of the art from and the sub-cultures surrounding it.

Tattoos are becoming more fashionable, I am here to make sure people  get good tattoos and think before they ink themselves for life. If you have read my blog, enjoyed it and agree with the messages I stand for,  please vote for Th’ink and help me put good tattoo art in the heart of fashion culture.

Vote here… www.cosmopolitan.co.uk/blog-awards-2011-vote

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Get your tat out – Sylwia Swiderska

Get your tat out

Sylwia

I spotted this lovely lady in Topshop the other day, she is definitely my new tattoo crush, plus it turns out that we want to get tattooed by lots of the same people! Check out her beautiful ink…

Feature girl: Sylwia Swiderska
Location: live in London, from Poland
Occupation: student, Events, Music and Media Management at London Metropolitan University

Sylwia's sleeve

Stay Young
Stay Young

I don’t think there was a particular event or situation that got me into tattoos, but I’ve always been really into music. People within the genre I was into had tattoos, so I guess that’s what started it all. My first tattoo was ‘Stay Young’ on my wrist.

My wrists and foot were done at Riverside Tattoo in Gravesend by Les. Lady with the mirror is by Snappy at King’s Cross Tattoo Parlour. The rest of my sleeve is by Oliver Macintosh, also at Kings Cross

Lady with a mirror
Lady with a mirror

I’m definitely planning on getting more stuff done, I’ve got a long list of artists that I would like to get tattooed by, but being a student money is always an issue.

Arm tattoo

Scales tattoo
Inspired by 'Sweet#Hart' by Closure in Moscow

I think my favourite is the scales on my inner arm, the inspiration came from a song called ‘Sweet#Hart’ by Closure in Moscow. It’s about balancing out, thinking with your head and thinking with your heart, which is something I’m awful at so it’s a constant reminder not to let one outweigh the other.

Let hate save you
Let hate save you

The scales have a pretty srong meaning. Girl with the mirror is a reminder to never judge people on their looks. ‘Stay Young’ is pretty self explanatory. ‘Let Hate Save You’, on my foot from a song by Emarosa is there as a reminder that if anything or anyone ever lets you down you might aswell hate it instead of letting it get to you (this last one makes me sound awful haha).

Beautiful tattoos and a very interesting interview. Lovely to meet you Sylwia and I LOVE your tattoos.

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London Tattoo Convention excitement

LTC logoThe seventh International London Tattoo Convention, now the most important and crowded convention in the world, will be held over the weekend of September 23/24/25 (NEXT WEEKEND, CANNOT WAIT) at Tobacco Dock. This year, the organisers are opening up even more areas, rooms and attractions than ever before, to meet the public’s inexorably increasing interest in body art.

I am excited to announce that I will be reporting from the event for Zeitgeist magazine, with the help of Papercut Pictures. Article and short film to follow, watch this space…

In the meantime here is a selection of photos from last year’s event.

London ConventionDancer at convention

Lee,Simon & Dan,Artist- Lee Simonds @ Cherry Blossom, Walton
Lee, Simon & Dan - Artist, Lee Simonds, Cherry Blossom, Walton
Tattooing at convention
Tattooing at convention

London Tattoo Convention

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Clash Dolly tattoos

Get your tat outName: Ami Volkert, Clash Dolly, London

Clash dolly Ami
Clash Dolly Ami

What do you do?
I run a vintage stall called Clash Dolly on Brick Lane Market, I also do freelance styling.

Eyes on the prize
Eyes on the prize
Mermaid back tattoo
Mermaid

What got you into tattoos and what was your first tattoo?
I looked at heavily tattooed people and really liked what I saw. I always knew I wanted a big tattoo, but just wasn’t sure what I wanted and wasn’t brave enough. So to start with I got some little tattoos, which have now been covered over, thank god. My first big piece was the mermaid on my back.

What inspires you?
Street art and street style, I love clashing different cultures and styles, I think this inspiration comes from growing up in London. I love mixing Indian style clothes and accessories with ’90s street style.
In terms of tattoo inspiration I liked the war-time pictures in my Nan’s house and images of ladies, haha, I like women.

Dancer on legWho would you like to get tattooed by?
Saira Hunjan, I love her Indian style.

Love Doll tattoo
Love Doll

Have you got anything else planned?
I think I want a different style from my other tattoos, maybe some henna-style tattoos on my legs and feet. I love clashing different styles in clothing and this carries through to my tattoo style too. I really like dot work, e.g. Xed LeHead.

Do you have a favourite tattoo?
I love my mermaid, it’s by Silvia Zed. She does amazing portraits, she works at Lal Hardy‘s shop, New Wave Tattoo.

Do your tattoos have meanings?
They do to me, but it’s hard to explain them in words, I like to keep things to myself.  People don’t always get it and it’s nice little feeling for me, I’ll let other people take what they want from them.

Lady tattooTake a look at Ami’s website: www.clashdolly.com

Photos: Olivia Snape