A tattoo has to be art. No run of the mill from a look book for me, says Avant-Garde designer Adrian Alicea. He thinks creative people have tattoos as they love art.

Adrian Alicea is a provoking New York fashion designer and shows his fashion during NYFW, since 2005. As the preferred model for Thierry Mugler and Jean Paul Gaultier he walked with Iman, Christy Turlington, Linda Evangalista. If you want the see the first breakdancer: that’s Adrian too.

But his 12 large body-arts are fairly recent, 15 year ago he had his first tattoo to remember his deceased mother. The second tattoo, showcasing the intertwined name of his parents is on his lower back.

 And for a reason: Adrian feels that this part of the body stands for strength; the spine connected with the pelvis symbolizes the position of the parents in your life. It is the strongest part of your body -for a reason. 

His tattoos are all created from scratch, never from a look book.

Creativity and body art go hand in hand, says Adrian. If you are a little shy, or its your first, you may hide it. But the more you want to express yourself, the more you dare. 
Self-expression; show your personality through your tattoos is his motto. His home, atelier and collection contribute to that.

As a creator, an artist he thinks tattoos have to be relevant, not a skull, rose or pin-up, but a story. Just like his fashion it is about expression, a theme, an impression you want to make. The last tattoo is inspired by the work of Swiss surrealist H.R. Giger.

 It shows the core of a tattoomachine: the needle and the face of a model: Christy Turlington. Just like the JP Gaultier collection based on tattoos (s/s-2012): fashion = art, just like tattoos. 

Creative people tend to have tattoos. 
Body-art is more for creative people, those who want to express themselves and surround by beautiful things. And body art is the most personal way of telling a story, or expressing ideas, according to Adrian.

Adrian does not think, like innovative chef Stefan Robertsson, featured in May, tattoos are more about lifestyle. 

So the avant-garde designer takes another position than the innovative chef. But creating art is key for both of them. 

Both agree that you need to radiate your body art. After all, 'showing' is what they do on a daily base in their professional life. Their body art is living proof of their beliefs.

Adrian used to buy capsules of vitamin E, open them and use the liquid to have his tattoos ‘pop’, so he is a happy user of TATTOO BOOSTER. Organic is his motto. His recent change from vegetarian to vegan did not chance his views on fashion or tattoos but made him feel better. And it shows.

Caring for art, whether it is fashion or body art, is key. Adrian is the first designer we know, who has a ‘tattooed models only’ casting call for his September NYFW show: ‘Monsserate.

more about adrian alicea:www.adrianalicea.com