Tattooed models in high fashion were hard to come by back in the days. Today, it seems that not being tattooed is the exception. Nick Lemons [left] was among the early adopters. Joey Kirchner [right] is still relatively new in the game, and his ink comes with stories: “The one on my chest is a tattoo of one of my buddies who passed away when I was 15, and the one on my shoulder is two hockey sticks crossed with his hockey number — me and two of my other buddies that all hung around with him all got that tattoo on our shoulder. And the next one I’m getting on my other shoulder is going to be an outline of Alberta and it’s gonna say Hurtin Albertan across it with a star where my home town is. I’m proud of being from Canada, and even prouder of the town I’m from. Being in this big city that i do not like really makes me realize how much I love home, eh.”

Rob Devita [left] and Cameron Schultz [right] also contributed their tattooed skin in Youth Tattoo, a series shot by Texan photographer James Macari for Contributing Editor. Kindly direct yourself to the gallery below for more boys and ink. But before that, you can watch this video featuring Vladimir Ivanov, Simon Nessman, Ryan Schira and more, directed by Bell Soto — also for Contributing Editor.

Joey Kirchner’s interview
Contributing Editor
James Macari
Bell Soto