Female tattoo artists make their mark

Saira Hunjan, female artist, has been attempting to get an appointment with Valerie Vargas, one of London's best-known female tattooists. Vargas is so sought out to give tattoos, that she is not even taking new clients.

She also tried Claudia de Sabe, Nikole Lowe and Saira Hunjan, but their waiting lists are extremely long.

"Female tattooists are definitely more sought after now than when I started tattooing 16 years ago," Hunjan states. "When I was 14, I rang every tattooist in the yellow pages looking for work experience. They seemed shocked to hear a girl's voice, and, tellingly, only one agreed – after he'd spoken to my mum and explained there would be 'lots of swearing'."

Hunjan explains that the London Tattoo Convention was instrumental in forming a network of female artists. “When I visited the 2012 event last month and walked around east London's Tobacco Dock, enveloped in the acerbic buzz of tattoo machines, it was evident that not only are tattoos big business - the convention figures increase year on year - but that all eyes are on the female artists such as Lina Stigsson and Angelique Houtkamp, who have a constant swarm around their shared booth.”

"There's been a huge increase in the number of female artists in the past five years," Stigsson tells Guardian.Co.Uk. "It's a hugely progressive industry in terms of gender equality."

In Britain, the number of tattoo shops has almost doubled in the past decade, and during that time both men and women have been attracted to what can be a rewarding profession. With 20 million of the 62.6 million of people in the UK tattooing their bodies, the nature of beauty is changing. Celebrities such as Angelina Jolie or Rihanna have helped the business: "People think, 'If she can get one, I can too.' They make tattoos real," Houtkamp says.

Along with celebrities getting tattooed, television has played a big role in the increase. Shows such as Miami Ink and its LA, NY and London spin-offs offer a snapshot into the tattooing world, and women are featured frequently, as both artists and customers. The LA Ink leading role Kat Von D has combined her tattoo talent with sharp business expertise, expanding her offering to clothing and makeup lines. "Kat's a household name in the US, but a credible artist too, and that, more than anything, is empowering for female artists," says Hunjan, who has herself collaborated with the luxury English leather brand Ettinger.

Houtkamp thinks that the art itself could be why female tattooists are more in demand. "I think women are more attracted to what female artists draw and might feel more comfortable with a woman tattooing them," she says.

"Female tattooists are doing so well now that we really don't need any special treatment," stated Hunjan.

Source : http://www.guardian.co.uk/fashion/fashion-blog/2012/oct/05/female-tattoo-artists-make-their-mark