L.A. Tattoo Legend Mark Mahoney Is Making Moves
Mark Mahoney
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Mark Mahoney is one of the tattoo world's most respected artists, known both for his A-list clients and for his influence on the culture for the last few decades. A pioneer of the single-needle “black-and-gray” style, his work has an old school cool that can't be duplicated, and the same can be said for his own personal style.
So it's no surprise that his shop, Shamrock Social Club, is evolving into something more with a recent big move from its original Sunset Strip location to a new space just off the the Strip on Horn St. In addition to ink work (he's booked far in advance, so make your appointments now), he is showcasing a new line of clothing, called the "Shamrock Social Club Collective" at the shop.
Known for his spiffy suits, the Boston-born Irish-American artist has dabbled in fashion before—most recently doing art for an accessories line by Paul Smith (he of the big pink cube on Melrose), so it is a natural evolution. His former shop was indisputably iconic, with the likes of Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, Miley Cyrus, David Beckham and Lana de Rey, to name a few, getting work there.
But Mahoney had been in other locations prior, including where he got his start in Long Beach at the Pike (he lived in the back) and at landmark Tattooland on Whitter Blvd. before opening his own shops at various locations around L.A. prior to opening the Strip HQ. Famous friends and longtime fans follow him wherever he goes. At the recent opening of his new venture, pals such as Joe Manganiello came out for a lively launch party to celebrate with the local legend and check out his new line.
“Change is hard for me so to have so many of my old friends gather at the new spot and have such a good time confirmed we are right where we should be," Mahoney shares with Los Angeles magazine. "You can feel the history of the space in every corner. It just feels good. We love hearing the same sentiment from everyone that comes in the space.”
About his latest venture into fashion, he adds, “The collective is a labor of love and a testament to all the people I have tattooed over the last 45 years. Blending some of my favorite images with a vintage feeling, recycled and cut and sewn garments made in L.A. feels like a marriage made in heaven and I am really proud of this new beginning.”
See images (via bobby_ap_la) from the opening night party in the gallery below.
