Body Art, or Body Violation?

“I am a canvas of my experiences, my story is etched in lines and shading, and you can read it on my arms, my legs, my shoulders, and my stomach.” - Kat Von D

So, in case you didn't catch it the first or even second time, tattoo's are kind of my favourite things ever. They're beautifully unique, creative, personal and expressive. People like to tell me that I'll live in regret of such things when I'm older, and I like to tell them that when I'm old, wrinkled and most likely struggling with mobility, my first thought won't be "damn, I shouldn't have got those tattoos." Instead, I'll look back on them and and think "those were the days!"

         

It has only been very recently that tattoos have become socially acceptable through pop culture, and seen on more and more young individuals rather than the naval tattoos we're used to seeing on our grandparents. I myself am pretty happy about this, but with the likes of Harry Styles and Justin Bieber getting inked every other week, I can see why tattoos on young individuals have become a massively controversial topic. Some argue that tattoos are a form of attention seeking and even a form of "self-mutilation." (Lawrence Rubin, PHD) While I'm aware ink isn't for everyone, I'm a firm believer of the whole "your body is a temple so decorate the walls" thing. So, to demonstrate the beauty of body art, I've enlisted the help of some tatted up celebrities and fashion icons (Not for real, I actually just stole some pictures of them, hope they don't mind...) 

My first post is dedicated to none other than the queen of ink herself, Miss Katherine von Drachenberg a.k.a Kat von D. Decorated literally head to toe in portraits and symbols, the L.A ink babe creates permanent fine art in her "High Voltage Tattoo" studio: a task I believe needs massive amounts of skill and concentration. However, if you're not convinced how about juggling writing, modelling and making music too? 
(Bet you didn't know: Von D is the creator of MusInk Tattoo Convention and Music Festival!)

 Von D rocking the LBD at Art of Elysium's 6th Annual 

  Black-tie Gala "Heaven" at 2nd Street Tunnel

   Image from:David Livingston/Getty Images North America

If, like me, you're also into fashion and make up, Miss V Don will not disappoint! Fashion range KVD Los Angeles (now international) includes tops, dresses, outerwear, bags and shoes for women. These pieces are so affordable and are priced at around $18-$85 (or £11-£53 for those of you who don't have a calculator or foreign currency exchange rate for that matter.) Not to exclude her male fans, Von D even has a menswear range of shoes, t-shirts and hoodies!

Finally, (have I sold her to you enough yet?) Von D has her own make up range for French cosmetics company Sephora! (superwoman, right?) sadly guys this range doesn't cater to you...unless you're into that sorta thing...anyway, Von D's Sephora range includes fragrances, lipsticks, foundations, liners and palettes all at around £12, so if you, like me, will sadly never have her permanently decorate your skin...have her products temporarily decorate your face!

So, if you're a hater of tats, you'll now see that we're not all wasters and thugs, a lot of us are intelligent and successful
Still not convinced? Stick around then, I'd be happy to convert you with even more tatted success stories!

Lauren x

Check out Kat Von D's Sephora range @ http://www.sephora.com/kat-von-d
and clothing range @ http://www.wonderlandla.net/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_29