Ah, models and tattoos… some love them, some hate them. They can be an integral part of a model’s identity. They can add personality to some shoots and give the featured fashion pieces an edge. But they can also be an expensive pain in the ass when they need to be digitally removed from editorial or advertising images. Fashion editor/stylist John Tan and photographer Bell Soto explore the world of model tattoos in their eye-catching feature, ‘Tattoo You’.
Model James Mangum [VNY] (above) thinks tattoos are played out. He doesn’t have any tattoos and wouldn’t be getting any, because his body is ‘too pretty to be drawn on.’ On the other hand, Mikus Lasmanis [ReQuest] (below) uses tattoos to ‘document important things that has happened in my life.’ He has two tattoos (see first post image, left) and plans to tattoo the first thing that his child would write on his chest.
Colby Jamar [Major] wins the tattoo race by having four (see first post image, right). He feels tattoos are his form of artistic expression and plans on having a half sleeve.
Model Anthony Gelfand [ReQuest] doesn’t have any tattoos yet, but plans on having "The World Is Ours" in French. Check out the full interview with the four models at John Tan Casting.
Credits
Photography: Bell Soto, Concept: John Tan
Tattoos Makeup: Hiroshi Yonemoto for MAC Cosmetics
Agents: ReQuest-Gaspard Lukali/Oscar Garncia; VNY-Carlotta Sironi; Major-Sarah Flaherty/Jason Kanner
+ see more Bell Soto | Mikus Lasmanis | Colby Jamar | Tattoo features