Exclusive heatworld.com Interview with Cara Delevingne’s tattooist

Bang Bang, you’ve been Rihanna’s go-to tattoo artist for years. Did she recommend you to her mate Cara?

Well, Rita [Ora] told me she had a model friend who wanted to get tattooed last time she was with me, but that model friend was just busy that night. Rita said, “She’s been following your work, she loves your work” and she said she wants her first tattoo.

How did you guys get together?

Rihanna left me a hilarious message, because my phone was dead, and she said something about doing a tattoo — I thought it was Rihanna herself but it turns out it was Cara. So, a couple days ago I got all my equipment together and went over to the Gansevoort Park Hotel and headed up to Rihanna’s room, but it turned out I was there to tattoo Cara…. in Rihanna’s hotel room.

Was Cara nervous?

It was her first tattoo, but you know, she was not nervous! Not one bit. She was perfect!

Whose idea was the lion tattoo?

Cara wanted the word ‘lion’ on her finger and I told her that I didn’t think that was too sexy. I said ‘let’s put a real lion on there,’ because it’s unique, it’s hot, it looks like jewelry, like an accessory. I think it’s a great use of a really small spot of skin. I have a similar one myself that is a Japanese mask, and Cara loved that.

Where did you get the lion from?

It was a photo reference from a real lion that I mapped out, I translated it so it works small, so you have to think about the aging process, because fingers don't fade perfectly. I altered the image on the fly.

Was she not worried it would affect her modeling jobs?

You know, I think people prefer models without tattoos, but they don't mind so much. Make-up artists can take that straight off if it doesn’t work for the shoot. In my opinion when you reach the level Cara’s at, it’s cool. People will want to use it. She’s not a blank slate, she’s a famous model. They don't want a plain piece of paper.

How was Cara with the pain….it looks like a painful place for a tattoo!

It’s not an easy one but she took it like a G! Cara was good in the chair, real good. First tattoo… she was an absolute pro. There was no diva supermodel behavior, not at all, she’s the coolest most down to earth girl. I see why they all get along. All three of those girls are cool as shit. You know, it can be really easy for people to lose track of themselves and become a fuck head. But these girls are cool and it’s fun to watch. Ri always tells me, ‘don’t get rich and switch!’

Were you guys hanging out after the tattoo was done?

We were watching basketball! Well, Rihanna and I were watching it, Cara didn't seem to care for basketball so much. Me and Rihanna were very sad the Thunder lost [Oklahoma City Thunder].

Do any of the girls have plans for any new tattoos?

Rihanna has big plans for another tattoo, I can even reveal where its gonna be, she said when her tour is done, she’ll be back. And Cara is ready for another one.


Source: http://www.heatworld.com/Celeb-News/2013/05/EXCLUSIVE-Cara-Delevingnes-tattooist-spills-the-beans-on-her-Rihanna-and-Rita-Ora-and-says-They-want-more/