Tattoo'd Beauty: SuicideGirls

SuicideGirls is a web phenomen that began with the website created in 2001 by Sean Suhl and Selena Mooney; named after a reference in "Survivor" by Chuck Palahniuk (the guy who wrote "fight Club). The site is filled with images of pin-up models (sometimes nude). Now you may ask what does this have to do with tattoos? Well SuicideGirls is all about promoting alternative forms of beauty. They have models, referred to as Suicide Girls) that represent the goth, punk and indie sub-cultures; most of whom sport tattoos. The American form of beauty is often seen as the girl-next door type with blond hair and blue eyes. You won't find any like that on this site, some look right out of the 40s and 50s while there are others with blue hair and a back-piece tat. And many of the Suicide girls display some great tattoo art. SG also produces a weekly radio show in L.A that broadcasts every Sunday night from 12 midnight to 2 . The show had been running for 4 years and Indie 103.1 has been named the "Best Radio Station 2008" by Rolling Stone Magazine. On the show, Suicide Girls take phone calls, give advice, discuss current events and play music. Past phone-in and in-person guests on the show have included Mindless Self Indulgence, Dave Navarro, the Melvins, and more. Past Radio Show guest interviews can be downloaded as podcasts from the website.

The site not only serves as a image site for its models but acts as a forum where people can not only talk about beauty and sex but has interviews from figures in poplar and alternative cultures. The site is more of a promotional tool for their merch like books and clothing. I personally am not familiar with the site but I have seen their photography books, tees and as guests in lots of conventions including different tattoo conventions. The photography in many of the artbooks are skillfully done and really show off their body art and each models personality. Though I think it is really hard to tell if it is art or a form of porn.

The last couple of years, the site and the company have been involved in few controversies, from ownership issues to removal of certain images. One of the biggest issues is the question of it being either empowering or objectifying to the female models?

Despite all this, I really like the idea behind SG. I think it is important to show all kinds of beauty from both mainstream and alternative cultures. Tattoos are not just for guys and just because your a girl doesn't mean that you can only have tats on your lower back or behind the ear or that they have to be "delicate." To me it is important that they show that a woman can have a full sleeve, full back tattoo or a body suit tattoo and still be feminine and attractive.