“I’m a tattoo artist and here are the worst designs people ask me for”

Tattooing, once reserved for a marginal segment of the population, has experienced rapid growth in recent years in France. With one in five French people proudly displaying a tattoo in 2023, this form of body art has become democratized and has become a real social phenomenon. But as in any area subject to trends, certain tattoo designs, once very fashionable, now seem to be out of fashion. This is the observation made by Alice Nicholls, an experienced tattoo artist who sheds her light on this evolution of tastes in tattoos.

With over ten years' experience in the tattoo industry, Alice Nicholls is the owner of Fine Art of Tattoo, located in the Essex region of South East England. This seasoned professional has observed, over the years, notable changes in the demands of her clients. According to her, certain tattoo designs, which have long been essential, are now losing popularity and are tending to become obsolete.

Among the tattoo designs that seem to have had their day, Alice Nicholls cites tribal tattoos first. These abstract designs, often composed of geometric shapes and intertwined curves, had their heyday in the 1990s and 2000s, but today appear outdated. In the same vein, tattoos depicting stars or infinity symbols, once popular, also seem to have lost their appeal.

Lower back tattoos, nicknamed “tramp stamps” in Anglo-Saxon countries, also appear on the list of reasons in decline according to the tattoo artist. Finally, Alice Nicholls points out the once widespread tendency to choose a design at random from the wall of a tattoo studio, without any real prior thought. A practice that seems to appeal less and less to tattoo enthusiasts.

If these “old-school” designs are losing ground, it’s because tastes and expectations in terms of tattoos have evolved, explains Alice Nicholls. New generations of tattooed people are looking for more originality and personalization in their body creations. Gone are the days of choosing a pattern in a hurry from a studio catalog. Today, customers take the time to think about the meaning they want to give to their tattoo and opt for more detailed and elaborate designs.

This quest for authenticity and singularity results in a craze for finer, more delicate tattoos rich in detail. Tattooed people seek to express their individuality through unique and meaningful works, which reflect their personality and personal history. A trend which reflects a maturation in the approach to tattooing, which has become a true means of artistic and identity expression.

But then, what are the new tattoo designs that are on the rise? Alice Nicholls, always on the lookout for the latest trends, has spotted several emerging styles particularly popular with her customers. Among them, the art of covering old tattoos, also called “cover-up”, which consists of hiding a tattoo that has become unwanted under a new, more elaborate and aesthetic design. The concealment and explosion techniques used by tattooists to achieve these feats arouse keen interest among tattooed people in search of renewal.

Another trend noticed by the tattoo artist: “scrapbooking” tattoos, particularly popular with young people. This technique consists of grouping several small tattoos on the same area of the body which, placed end to end, tell a story or illustrate the personality of the tattooed person. A creative and fun way to literally wear your life on your skin. Finally, Alice Nicholls notes a growing craze for fine and delicate tattoos, with light and precise lines, which seduce with their elegance and refinement.

The success of these new trends takes place in a context of a real tattoo boom in France. According to a study carried out in 2023, one in five French people proudly displays a tattoo on their skin. A figure which has doubled in the space of fifteen years, testifying to the growing enthusiasm of the French for this form of body art. Although France still remains far behind the United States, where a third of adults are tattooed, it nonetheless remains a growing market for tattoo professionals.

This democratization of tattooing is partly explained by a change in perception of this practice in society. Formerly associated with an image of marginality or rebellion, tattooing is today considered more as a form of artistic expression and a means of displaying one's individuality. Popularized by celebrities, athletes and influencers, the tattoo has gradually freed itself from its sulphurous image to become a fashion accessory in its own right.

Ultimately, the art of tattooing appears to be a field in constant evolution, subject to the vagaries of fashion and trends. If certain previously essential motifs now seem obsolete, new emerging styles are constantly renewing the practice and stimulating the creativity of tattoo artists. This perpetual mutation reflects the changes in tastes and aspirations of a society itself in motion.

But beyond fashion effects, it is crucial to remember that tattooing remains a strong and lasting act, which marks the skin indelibly. Before taking the plunge, it is therefore essential to take the time to think, to choose a motif that resonates deeply within you and a tattoo artist you trust. Because a successful tattoo is above all one that resembles us and accompanies us happily throughout our lives.