The Jagger Edge

(percussion music)

(upbeat jazz music)

My fascination with wanting

to learn more about tattooing has grown.

And this summer I was trying

to understand more about the craft

and finally let loose on my boyfriend for the first time.

(tattoo needle buzzing)

Neil and I have been friends

for about three years now

and he s got an amazing tattoo parlor

in Ibitha, where I live,

and we ve spent a lot of time together designing

and working, using tattoo designs,

which I think have a great kindredship

with jewelry and adornment.

Very clean.

Cleanliness is incredibly important in tattooing.

(tattoo needle buzzing)

Ultimately, it s the best form of bespoke art

that I can imagine.

Because you re very much working with the person,

the person s character,

and, ultimately, the piece that they want to have made.

(tattoo needle buzzing)

The idea to mark somebody forever is something incredible

and I think that that s one of the things

that really hooked me into it.

It was almost addictive.

(tattoo needle buzzing)

This will be the second time

that I ve ever tattooed somebody.

(tattoo needle buzzing)

Neil pushed me into it quite quickly

and just wanted me to experience it.

And afterwards, I was left really exhilarated,

but it s terrifying to hurt somebody.

But at the same time, to give them something,

to mark them in some way,

is a designer s wet dream.

(tattoo needle buzzing)

What is fascinating is just learning more

the sort of psychology to help to design something

for a person.

And although I feel like I ve an understanding of that

from creating jewelry or fashion for people,

I think that obviously, like we said,

this is more serious and this is not transient,

and this isn t just fashion.

This has got to really and truly last somebody a lifetime.

(percussion music)