Lou Molloy, tattooist to celebrities and star of TV programme London ink, has launched a renaissance-inspired menswear fashion collection for Spring Summer 2011.

This new collection features classical-style line drawings and detailed shading – one of the key elements of Lou’s tattoos on a palette of neutrals, khakis and crisp white. John Smedley has collaborated on fine knitwear pieces including cardigans, polos and jumpers. The finest cotton yarns, sublimation printing and garments hand finished in the UK.

True to Lou’s roots, the collection has been developed in Manchester and consists predominantly of streetwear featuring renaissance-style art with an edge. The focus is on artwork and quality with sublimation printing on cotton to ensure the lasting sharpness of the designs. The collection is about more than simply transferring tattoos to apparel. The idea for the designs came from Lous' trips to Italy where he always admired renaissance art and architecture. The fashion collection takes that inspiration and puts Lous' unique stamp on it.

View The Fashion Collection 

Lou Molloy is a Manchester based tattoo artist who first became recognised after being asked to design and ink David Beckham’s famous tattoo - The Guardian Angel.

As the straight-talking star of the TV series London Ink, Lous’ profile has risen dramatically in the UK and the programme has seen him working on a range of celebrities from musicians to glamour models and sporting heroes.

He spent his teenage years improving his skills and in 1981 opened his now world-famous, Manchester studio where his appointment book is usually booked up at least 1 year in advance. Lou Molloy has twice won the UK Outstanding Artist of the Year award and is now recognised as one of the most influential exponents of tattooing in the world. Spring Summer 2011 see the launch of his fashion collection inspired by the creative artistry of his body art.

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