Tattoo trends emerging in 2022 are a real blast from the past

Celebs and ordinary folk alike are inking up with fresh tattoos inspired by the ‘90s era, bringing back powerfully nostalgic designs on bare skin.

Australians are getting inked at a record rate of one-in-four people and it’s the return of ‘90s imagessuch as the solitary red rose, flames or Japanese symbols fuelling the trend.

Celebrities, sports stars and ordinary folk have all fuelled tattoo trade through the pandemic years, with the latest market research from McCrindle showing 25 per cent of Australians now have a tattoo — up 20 per cent in three years.

The report found tattoos are more common among women and are most popular among Generation Y, aged 25 to 39, of whom 28 per cent have a tat.

Baby Boomers, 54 to 72 years, were next at 27 per cent.

Of Gen X, 39 to 53, 25 per cent had a tattoo and, in a sign young people are souring on the idea, just nine per cent of Gen Zs, aged 18 to 24, have been inked.

Lighthouse Tattoo manager Tegan Krahenbring said the Blackletter “olde English script” is making a return as a popular choice for people to ink their birth year on their skin and is a major throwback to former years.

Tattoo artist Alex Rusty co-owns Lighthouse Tattoo studios in Botany and Darlinghurst and specialises in traditional Japanese and custom tattoos, both which have undergone a recent surge in popularity. Picture: Darren Leigh Roberts

Newcomers and those experienced with wearing ink are also inclined to opt for a more discreet and intricate tattoo on smaller limbs, such as fingers and the upper ear.

“Tattoo trends can be almost directly related to fashion trends, especially with the popularity of influencers on social media,” she said.

“Nineties fashion is back on trend at the moment, and ‘90s tattoos seem to follow, as this is what most people are seeing on the internet from other individuals they follow.”

Back in the ’90s, tattoo trends were marked by classic sun and tribal designs, flames and Chinese letters.

Women back then started to show an increased interest in ink with more feminine designs such as large colourful butterflies and roses, and simple illustrations such as stars and hearts for added effect.

Hollywood best friends Selena Gomez and Cara Delevingne have recently inked up with large watercolour rose tattoos, inspired by the ‘90s era, that display the full face of the layered flower in pink.

Hollywood best friends Selena Gomez and Cara Delevingne have both jumped on the ‘90s inspired rose tattoo trend. Picture: Instagram

Cara Delevingne shows off her intricate watercolor style rose tattoo. Picture: Instagram

At the Lighthouse Tattoo parlour, Ms Krahenbring said ‘90s styled designs had emerged uniquely from within each tattoo artists’ respective client base.

One of their top artists, Norrie, created flower mandalas, which were similar to the vintage Flower of Life symbol from that decade, and “a huge trend for her client base last year”.

“Prior tends we have seen include inner lip tattoos as well as the classic single line wave or palm tree design,” she said.

“However, since the decline of tourists visiting Australia thanks to Covid, these tattoos have since quietened off quite a lot.”