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7/13/2010 - 10:00 AM

Are Designers Tattoos for You?

Temporary tattoos are no longer just for little kids. Designer ink has evolved into one of the biggest beauty trend from the SS 2010 runway. Rodarte had oversized tribal art on their models during the NY runway.  Then, Jean Paul Gautier featured the models’ names laced across their bodies in ink at his Paris show. Even a house that was once associated with classic and formal styling, Chanel, featured hand-painted designs of delicate beads, sparrows, cherry blossoms and their double-c logo on models' legs, necks and wrists during the SS 2010 show. 

The tattoos received so much attention from the press that Trompe-l'oeil Chanel has produced a limited edition packet of five sheets that feature fifty-five runway inspired designs originally hand-drawn by Global Creative Director of Chanel Makeup, Mr. Peter Philips. (He is the same genius who was behind last season’s jade nail veneer). Philips describes the designs as playing with “the Chanel symbols, the pearls, the chains, wheat, as well as blossoms and small swallows who usually announce the arrival of spring. The chains dressed the slender and delicate wrists. The pearls, intertwined with flowers and wheat, fell like cascades down the length of the legs, or became a necklace on which the swallows rested.”

The temporary tats can be purchased in select Chanel boutiques this spring for $75.00. Each tattoo‘s average cost is $1.36, making it Chanel’s most affordable accessory ever. Chanel is famous for elegance and enduring creations. Who knew that Chanel followers needed designer fishing rods, footballs, boomerangs, surf boards and… samurai helmets? I think I’ll stick with the temporary skin art for now, thanks.

--Lola Mendez

Further Reading:

Chanel temporary skin art

Tutorial on applying Chanel temporary tattoos

Categories: Fashion

6   comments

• 7/20/2010 - 9:56 AM by Jena Glick

  The temporary tattoo thing is pretty ingenius, as long as nobody takes it as far as Ed Hardy. That would be a bit ridiculous. But if you noticed, tattoos are becoming more and more popular on runways, and not just temporary ones either. Real ink is becoming more acceptable on models and they aren't covering up anymore, so what was once not allowed to be seen is being duplicated as temporary tats and marketed quite impressively . I wouldn't mind getting some temporary tattoos in the style of Rodarte's runway body art, because for lack of better words, they were pretty sic : ]

• 7/20/2010 - 10:05 AM by Elizabeth Mormile

  Agreed, temp tattoos > boomerang. Interesting article!

• 7/20/2010 - 10:13 AM by Jennifer Kish

  I love the Chanel temporary tattoos. I love how Chanel created somthing out of their element but still kept it classic. I love how elegant and stylish they are. Chanel definatly did a wonderful job at creating a product that is affordable and fresh for their followers who love the Chanel style but can't afford the price. Great blog post Lola! Two thumbs up!

• 7/20/2010 - 11:08 AM by Karissa Redmond

  I think this new trend is going to be a big hit. Especially after reading this article I am definitely interested in getting one. Great perspective :)

• 7/20/2010 - 11:52 AM by Chloe Wilson

  I agree with Ms. Kenton, Lola always has great insight. It's great to see that an inexpensive Chanel accessory is now available to those who are unable to pay $1500 for a beautiful purse. I recently saw Ashley Greene sporting Chanel ink on the cover and in the pages of Seventeen Magazine. These are sure to spread like a wild fire, as we all know that once a Cullen wears something, millions across the world will eventually be seen with it as well.

• 7/15/2010 - 8:24 PM by Marilyn Kenton

  Always enjoy Lola's insight..