TimeOut

It may not be appointed by the Queen but without any doubt, the Family Business Tattoo shop of our friend Mo Coppoletta is a place to visit ! Located in the eastern part of London, not very far from St Pancras station, the shop has an unique and warm  atmosphere thanks to its interior design and of course, its main purpose: to be the place where you can meet the best Tattooing artists and get one of their works on your own skin.

We all know that Tattooing is much more than a simple drawing: it is a true lifestyle! Of course, everybody has his own taste about Tattoo: you may want a very discrete tattoo or a huge one which covers the main part of your skin... in any case, the skills of the artist is a key point even for a very small tattoo. Don't forget that you will live with it!

The shop has a clear will: to propose creative tattoos, it is the reason why it gathers several artists who have different cultures, different backgrounds but the same talent. To achieve this goal, the process of decision-making is essential. An appointment is required to spend time with the artist, to discuss about the pattern, the place to locate it, the colors and so on... then the artist draws a sketch and the customer gives his agreement, the green flag to start the tattoo session. Some can be made quite quickly even if it is never a minor act. Some may require more than 30 or 40 hours of work. Patience is a virtue in that case!

The shop was created in 2003 and quickly has become one of the most famous Tattoing places in London with clients from any place of the world.

Mo's italian influence can be felt in the design of the entrance. You will notice the mix between Roman catholic iconography and the warm colors like red or yellow. The waiting room is located on the right side of the entrance   which is separated from the workplace with wood panelling. So before entering the workplace for the appointment, you are already dived into this comfortable atmosphere: it is a key point. As I said before, a tattoo is not a minor act: so you have to be clear in your mind, sure about your decision and this relaxed context helps a lot.

So ready to enter the Tattooing temple ?

The entrance:

Chris and David:

The superb atmosphere of the workplace:

Sketches:

Paintings:

The sketches are combined with the Roman catholic iconographic to create this unique context:

Silence please! Mo at work ! This tattoo is huge and requires a lot of skills:

If you wish to learn more about Mo's shop and the other artists, I highly recommend the book: "Tattoed by The Family Business" edited by Pavilion.

Thanks a lot for the warm welcome from Mo and all the team of the shop, I won't forget my visit there: it was a true pleasure for me to discover this world, totally unknown to me.

Fr.Xavier

A cut well above the usual offerings. Love the almost Victorian look of some of them. Not going to tat myself anytime soon, but if I did, it would have to be work of this caliber

pics ,,it was such a pleasure to have you in London,thank you so much for coming in and the report.

It was a busy day on Sat but at least you had an idea of a Tattoo Parlour life....and you did so well to convey it to the rest of the community.

Thank you again.

Mo Coppoletta

Your shop is just such a cut above what we have locally...it's astounding. My first tattoo was back in 1992. Back then the old school style that seems to be so popular now was a tiny niche...and full sleeves were something else... feel old now....

And thanks to Fr. Xavier for the OP.

that your business always flourishes....



Cheers

Interesting visit foversta!  I'm gonna have Mo tattoo '178' on you the next time you go to London! 

-MW

for every moderator?

No message body

I have had scheduling issues during his last visits, but one of these days will add to my "collection" with an original Mo work.    As a self-proclaimed aficionado of the art form, I think Mo is one of the great tattoo designers working today (and I'm not saying this because he's a fellow Purist).  There is so much more to tattooing than what is glamorized on TV -- it's not all rockers and starlets.  Tattooing is an integral part of many cultures, and various forms of tattooing can be found in every corner of the globe.  There are many ethno-cultural ties to specific designs and forms which are deeply embedded in the traditions of the peoples and places from which these works originate.  It's a fascinating topic of study for open-minded people with interest in art history, design, and anthropology.

Thanks for the pictures, FX!  Continued success to Mo and his associates!

Cheers,
Daos

We will def do it !

Thank you for your words.

Mo

I have ever seen.  I have been to five different tattoo establishments all in the states for my pieces, and although the equipment was clean and sterile, and all licenses were current, all had a rather seedy appearance.  For one who is getting a first tattoo, the clean polished environment would certainly put one at ease with some of the concerns of being inked.  I would feel confident that a tattoo at Mo's is going to be a fantastic, top notch piece and that I am not going to get hepatitis.  There are no places like this in my neck of the woods.  I must say I don't care for the designs shown, they are very well done, just not my style.  The next time I am in London Mo's will be tops on my list of places to visit. 

Stewart

Very cool visit to Mo's tattoo shop.  So Fr.Xavier which tattoo did you get ?

Regards,
ED-209

Thanks for this great report on the infamous Mo.

Mille Grazie Ff.Xavier and to your / our host Mo.

Best

Bill

is very nice as well


(picture shown before - WristScan)

A note from another tattoo book:


(Mo, hope you don´t mind )

Thanks FX, for sharing.

Oliver

I hope someone corrected the spelling of la debutant (sic) before committing it to irreversible ink

nick

i have the book which is fascinating. its good to support fellow purists, especially those who are such good company when the alcohol starts to flow (and when there's no alcohol of course ).

i'm so tempted to get a tattoo done by the master, a dragon to match my year of birth perhaps.

thanks for the pics Forvesta

best

Graham

 

  i loved the post as im honored to know more about fellow purists on here , MO you are not only a man with quality taste for watches... but also an artist with sparkling touch . now i have a new idea where i should do my first tattoo someday .

 Faisal

 

whenever you are ready sir.

Thank you

Mo

and brilliant art

I don't have any tattoos but if I was going to this is where I would go for sure.

For those with less commitment !

As the Ando first generation is essential and relaxing, as the Tattoo is vibrant and energetic.

While I don’t wear the tattoo often, I was very smitten by the OF when first released and aspired to own one.
It took a few years to finally find the “right” one, but immediately when I saw the details of the Tattoo in 2021 (I think) I knew I had to try and get it.

has many tattoos this is very cool to see. Thanks for sharing the story and the pictures. I thought I was done getting tats, maybe one more in this shop.

Always been fascinated by that art form 👌🏻