images: Sean Hartgrove
wordplay: Erica Easter
models: Brit, Chrissy & Latisha
makeup: Irena Murphy (Brit & Latisha) & Katelyn Simkins (Chrissy)

Once considered socially distasteful—a breach in cultural axioms—these everlasting artistic expressions, tattoos, have become stylish and acceptable, inspiring designers to expand this trend into fashion, using apparel as the catalyst. Recently, brands like Ed Hardy, Affliction, and Monarchy, all tattoo-inspired clothing lines, are becoming increasingly popular in mainstream fashion, with celebrities like Ozzy Osbourne, Madonna, and UFC Heavyweight title holder Randy Couture spotted sporting these flashy threads. Now, people can rock the style and attitude ephemerally without the commitment of the ink. An addition to the family of tattoo-inspired wear, Club Tattoo, the brainchild of  Linkin Park lead vocalist Chester Bennington and his former band mate in Grey Daze, Sean Dowdell, offers a selection of enticing men’s and women’s clothing and accessories.

Club Tattoo emerged onto the scene in 1995 when Dowdell and Bennington opened a chain of quality, Phoenix-area tattoo studios, in which he garnered much success; hence, the clothing line emanated thereafter. This summer, they expanded their brand into the shoe world, recently collaborating with etnies’ founder, Pierre Andre Senizergues, to launch an etnies Club Tattoo shoe featuring two vulcanized styles: “Bernie” and “Fakie” for both men and women.

“I’m really excited about the collaboration because it gives us a chance to blend our mutual passion for art, body, and lifestyle in a unique way…etnies and Club Tattoo live what we do, love what we do and together we’ve created a perfect connection between body art and street style.”

Club Tattoo and Bennington continue to blend passion, art and lifestyle with the unveiling of the new men’s premium clothing line, VE’CEL, available early this fall. Until then, these hot kicks are available now at Zumiez in the Stapleton Northfield Shopping Center located at 8270 East 49th Ave.  All Club Tattoo apparel can be purchased via their website ClubTattoo.com     

available @ 8270 East 49th Ave. (Zumiez)

ClubTattoo.com