tattoo body art

Lauren's Hourglass

Occasionally we'll share a reader submission and today we have a piece contributed by Lauren. She sent in this cool hourglass:

Lauren explains:

"I decided on an hourglass after wanting something to represent living your life to the fullest and realizing time is precious. After thinking and going through all the quotes I could find I decided I would get an hourglass to represent it all. Paul Anthony Dobleman at Spider Murphy's Tattoo in San Rafael, CA is a genius. He has done about 75% of my tattoos and he took my idea and ran with it. Exactly what I wanted. Couldn't be happier! The tattoo is located on my left rib cage."

Thanks to Lauren for sharing her timely tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

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Lauren's Hourglass

Occasionally we'll share a reader submission and today we have a piece contributed by Lauren. She sent in this cool hourglass:

Lauren explains:

"I decided on an hourglass after wanting something to represent living your life to the fullest and realizing time is precious. After thinking and going through all the quotes I could find I decided I would get an hourglass to represent it all. Paul Anthony Dobleman at Spider Murphy's Tattoo in San Rafael, CA is a genius. He has done about 75% of my tattoos and he took my idea and ran with it. Exactly what I wanted. Couldn't be happier! The tattoo is located on my left rib cage."

Thanks to Lauren for sharing her timely tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

CNN DOES FASHION TV IN A GOOD WAY

Posted by Fashion Editor at Large in Paris

CNN International got in touch today to tell me about their show "The Fashion Season" which has been airing all week at 2100 BST (British Summer Time). First of all, how many of us get the chance to watch CNN? I tend to tune into it only when I'm travelling, and not at regular times either. Second of all, its rare to find a global news channel covering the fashion world without reducing it to visual fluff, or casting a cynical eye over it, so I was straight on the case to see which of their mini-episodes - most run for five minutes - was the most revealing, interesting and relevant. I chose the fashion photography report, which aired Wednesday night.

I'm a huge fashion photography fan; my dream is to collect work from my favourite photographers who include Ryan McGinley, Helmut Newton, Guy Bourdin, Francesa Woodman, Corinne Day, Erwin Blumenfeld and Paolo Roversi. In fact Tim Blanks of Style.com (who lives around the corner from me) is my inspiration for this - I am a junior collector, but he is a prolific amasser of photography and has an inspirational collection that I can only dream of..

The editor behind this CNN mini-series is smart and tuned in, he chose photographers from three fashion disciplines - editorial, catwalk and online. They talk to Mario Testino as he celebrates his 30th anniversary in fashion photography; Getty photographer Frazer Harrison shows the reality of what it’s like to work in the catwalk camera pit, and The Sartorialist, Scott Schuman talks through his craft. Enjoy.

CHRISTOPHER RAEBURN: JUST ONE REASON TO VISIT NEW GEN IN PARIS

Posted by Fashion Junior at Large

During London Fashion Week, we blogged about lots of the brilliant collections by the NEWGEN SS12 contingent. Paris is now upon us and we thought that any of you lucky enough to be in the city over the next few days might like to know that you can drop in to have a look for yourselves at the collections (n.b at a different location to previous years, see bottom of post for details). Michael Van der Ham, J.JS Lee and Craig Lawrence (amongst others) will be in attendance and you can see what we thought of their offerings by following the links.

Christopher Raeburn SS12 (STYLE.com)

Christopher Raeburn is a member of the NEWGEN crew and his LFW show was an example of how this group are really shaking things up. I attended his presentation at the Museum of London on the Friday night, and the three stages which he took his audience through made me really excited to be a young journalist embarking on my first fashion week.

Christopher Raeburn SS12 (STYLE.com)

First up was a short film which focussed on the 'Made in England' element of his designs as well as the technicality of the fabrics used in their construction. Raeburn told me that the vast majority of his pieces are still made in-house, with a few others being manufactured in three factories around England. Second, was a museum-like presentation of the collection. The models were set against all colours of the rainbow and there was a kind of eerie beating music which only added to the blurring of the lines between art and fashion.

Christopher Raeburn SS12 (Style.com)

Finally, a completely fun element; the opportunity to get touchy feely with the clothes. In fact, attendees were positively encouraged to bang the items which were wired up to lights so that your bash literally lit up the room. Take a look at the video below of the fabulous Susie Bubble having a go.

Installation at Christopher Raeburn S/S 12 from Susie Bubble on Vimeo.

Raeburn emphasised to me the desire to create an 'exciting show in an amazing space in a limited time' (the Raeburn team had just six hours to transform the classic museum space into a fashion show venue). In short, this was a completely inspired, super fun way to show a collection. And a perfect example of why the New Gen crew are so exciting and a must-see if you're a journalist or buyer in Paris in the coming days.

You can visit them from Friday at 2pm, here: Le Loft, L'Impasse Guemenee, 3 Cour Berard, 75004, Paris (4eme). They'll be around for a week.

Lion tattoo

HOW WILL YOU WEAR YOUR GUIPURE?

Posted by Fashion Junior at Large

Lace is nothing new on our fashion radar, in fact it is rarely off the agenda. For next Spring/Summer, there is a particular sort of lace which we have been seeing again and again on the catwalks. Let me introduce you to GUIPURE. This is a chunkier lace than the flippety, delicate pieces we might be used to. The technique for creating it is thought to originate from darning onto fishing net, which will give you some idea of the sturdier nature of this lace in comparison to, for example, a chantilly. The word guipure means a thick cord over which thread is twisted; guiper can mean 'to wrap' en francais.

Thakoon SS12

Throughout New York and London, we heard the word guipure enough times for it to stick. And then Miuccia Prada used it as an overlay throughout her collection. This cements guipure's status as a key texture for SS12. It is also highly versatile- it can be used as a trim (as on hems at Clements Ribeiro), an overlay (see Thakoon and Prada) or in an entire garment (see the Preen pencil skirt below). We've also seen designers (like Clements Ribeiro's dress below) take the guipure lace pattern and print it onto garments. This achieves the same balance of prettiness and chunkiness with the fussiness of dealing with the lace itself. So, there is clearly no one way to work your guipure- we're excited to see its many manifestations next Spring/ Summer.

Clements Ribeiro SS12

Prada SS12

Preen SS12

I cannot confirm that this IS guipure but it looks a lot like it to me, trapped between layers at Simone Rocha SS12

All images from catwalking.com

Good Advice

GET YOUR BROGUES ON

Posted by Fashion Junior at Large

We may be experiencing a temporary heatwave (putting our Paris wardrobe plans into COMPLETE disarray) but we all know that soon enough, temperatures will drop, winds will whip up and we will have to put away sandals and flippy dresses for another season.

This prospect might leave you feeling a little dejected but, never fear, My-Wardrobe is here with a very exciting boost in the form of Grenson's debut collection of womenswear brogues. The brogue has become a new winter staple but the love is peaking right now with sales and searches up by 68% compared to last year.Many of the savviest brogue wearers have been buying men's styles already so the Grenson line gives a slightly more feminine edge (an elevated heel and slimmer silhouette) alongside the old-school quality that Grenson is famed for.

My favourites- the two tone Marthas £176

My-Wardobe's Merchandising Director Luisa De Paula says that ‘When it comes to the brogue, Grenson is one of the best go-to brands, so it’s fantastic to see the brand launch a womenswear collection. The craftsmanship and quality leather used by Grenson ensure beautifully-made shoes, which will last for years. With brogues firmly back on the agenda with the androgynous trend, we believe that the Grenson collection will be a key buy for our female shoppers.”

Patent £176

Grenson's expansion into womens shoes is long overdue given the brand's 140 year history ( they began as Green and Sons). In 2004, Christian Purslow and Tim Little joined the company and have taken its heritage aesthetic into a new place with some highly desirable styles at super reasonable price points. We recommend a flash of bare ankle to keep a brogue sexy, or wear with skirts and tights when bare flesh becomes unthinkable.

Grey Suede £176

Boy v zakone

Хотите себе модную футболку? Тогда заходите к нам в онлайн магазин, у нас можно недорого купить прикольную футболку. Куча дизайнов, качественный материал.

Anthony's Phenomenal Marilyn Monroe Portrait

Without question, Marilyn Monroe has appeared more on Tattoosday than any other celebrity, living or dead. You'd think I'd get tired of seeing her in ink, but I never do. Probably because there are artists out there doing this:

This portrait is on the left leg of Anthony, a photographer I met on Penn Plaza a couple weeks ago. The work is based on this famous photograph:

Anthony credited the artist as Horacio Martinez, at Golden Eagle Tattoo in Santa Barbara, California. The detail in the piece is really spectacular:

When I asked why he chose to ink the legendary actress on his leg, he said, "I was in photo school at the time and we were doing a lot of Hollywood glamor stuff and it was just kind of, on a whim. Why not?"

The piece is two years old and took only three and a half hours for Horacio to complete.

To see all the Marilyn Monroe work that has appeared on Tattoosday, click here. You can also see Anthony's work as a photographer on Tumblr here, or you can visit his website here.

Thanks to Anthony for sharing this incredible tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Anthony's Phenomenal Marilyn Monroe Portrait

This portrait is on the left leg of Anthony, a photographer I met on Penn Plaza a couple weeks ago. The work is based on this famous photograph:

Anthony credited the artist as Horacio Martinez, at Golden Eagle Tattoo in Santa Barbara, California. The detail in the piece is really spectacular:

MY TOP TEN LOOKS FROM MILAN

Posted by Fashion Editor at Large

One word can sum up the entire spring/summer 2012 catwalk shows so far, and that word is optimism. Everything is bright and sunny, light and airy, jolly and upbeat, go-getting and fun. You get the picture. Yellow is the colour of Spring 2012, and if a floral print is not your thing, god help you.

The main thing about Milan, was, well it was very Italian. Molto Italiano. Looking at Pucci, Gucci, Cavalli, Dolce with their big bouncy haired models, exuberant prints and multiple-colours, there was no where else in the world you could be. And, as this is a season of optimism, the Italian designers were ten times more jolly about it than London and New York was.

Well, apart from Prada, Jil Sander, and Marni the triumverate of thoughtful greatness that resides in the city. Without further ado, here is my top ten which veers away from that Molto Italiano vibe focusing on Fashion. Amazingly there is only one dress - its all about separates in fashion these days.

Divine Arizona Muse at Marni. Love the craft and layering.

No 21 by Alessandro dell'Acqua. All over print but done in cool way.

Sporty, youthful and feminine chic by Christopher Kane for Versus

Dolce Gabbana, just beautiful no matter how you look at it

Pucci's only beam of cloistered purity in a show of steamy prints

Fashion's man of the moment Raf Simons at Jil Sander asked the Picasso family for permission to use this face - taken from some of the artist's pottery - for this sweater which is top of my wish list for SS12

This Jil Sander look by Raf Simons is perfection itself. Love this neon paisley.

Guipure lace embroidered coat in a colour clash last seen on my childhood duvet cover at Prada.

Prada, taking it to the limit in its uniquely cerebral way. What may jar with you now will trranslate to gold in the shops next Spring. Trust.

You can't do Milano without some Mr Lagerfeld at Fendi. This outfit is luxe and relaxed

All photos by Catwalking.com

What is your top Milan Fashion Week look and collection?

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SS12 EARLY WARNING- THE ABS ARE OUT + KINGA IS OUR PIN-UP

Posted by Fashion Junior at Large

Kinga Rajzak walking for Proenza Schouler SS12 (catwalking.com)

The Milan shows have only confirmed what London and New York majorly hinted at: if you want to be on trend next Summer, you're going to have to get your abs out. And for that you need to be at the very least fat free, or at the most ripped. Our abs poster girl is Kinga Rajzak, who stole the show at Proenza Schouler with her aspirational midriff flashing and have you seen her muscle tone? Kinga's agent informs us that, contrary to appearences, the ab queen doesn't moonlight as an olympic athlete but is a gym bunny and yoga lover.

Dolce Gabbana SS12 (catwalking.com)

Antonio Marras SS12 (catwalking.com)

In my own personal pursuit of midriff perfection, I have become a devotee of 8-minute abs. The video below is surely the secret weapon of fashion editors the world over. And judging by the number of views of the video in its various guises, as much as 10 million in one version, there is a kind of secret abs cult which can only grow as next year's abs reveal grows closer. Yes, it's super cheesy but if it works do we care? I guarantee you will feel completely ripped the next day and, if you manage to avoid all salt, sugar, wheat etc. then you MAY have Kinga abs by Spring.

Frank's Koi Blends Traditional and Modern

Back on the first of July, I met Frank as I was headed home through Penn Station. He shared this tattoo on his lower leg:

Frank explained that the tattoo artist was Gus, who works out of John's Tattoos in Islip, New York. He elaborated, telling me, "I originally wanted a koi fish ... not too traditional, but a little bit different. Some modern twist on it ... Gus put the traditional with the modern and there it is."

Thanks to Frank for sharing his koi fish and cherry blossoms with us here on Tattoosday!

Frank's Koi Blends Traditional and Modern

Back on the first of July, I met Frank as I was headed home through Penn Station. He shared this tattoo on his lower leg:

Thanks to Frank for sharing his koi fish and cherry blossoms with us here on Tattoosday!

Beast

Juans last baby sitter

One off Lehi flash

Every once in a while we get to do something off the wall (not often enough). Nick got lucky and did this wolf from one of Lehi's sheets.

Chopper Dave

Our friend Dave made these air cleaners for the few of us that have motorcycles. Scott drew the skull and heart. Pretty slick. Thanks Dave

Jacqueline's Blood Rose

Two weeks ago I spotted Jacqueline and knew I had to ask her about this large tattoo in the center of her back:

Jacqueline explained that she and her older brother got this same tattoo in the same spot. "We just wanted to get a matching tattoo," she told me, "and, you know, we're both blood relatives". It's as simple as that.

She credits Seth Wood with this tattoo. Seth currently works out of Saved Tattoo in Brooklyn. Work by Seth appeared previously on Tattoosday just last month here.

Thanks to Jacqueline for sharing this amazing tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Jacqueline's Blood Rose

Two weeks ago I spotted Jacqueline and knew I had to ask her about this large tattoo in the center of her back: