EXPLORING TATTOO-INSPIRED TEXTILE PRINTS AND GARMENTS AS A SAFER WAY OF ADORNING THE HUMAN BODY

Despite the increasing popularity of tattooing, significant risks are associated with the its practice, such as infections, allergic reactions and stigma. The purpose of the study therefore is to explore tattoo-inspired textile prints and garments as a safer alternative of adorning the human body. The study employed a multi-phased mixed-method to collect and analyse data. The design process was adopted in a step by step manner to convert tattoo patterns into textile prints and garment designs utilizing Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software. The level of acceptance of tattoo-inspired prints and clothing as safer alternatives to permanent tattoos was assessed using the Structural Equation Model (SEM). The results revealed that embracing tattoo-inspired clothing has a mediating effect on individual perceptions and tattoo-related risks. This means that the more individuals embrace tattoo-inspired garment, the more positive their perceptions about tattoos become and the less they perceive tattoo-related risks. A major finding of the study is that tattoo-inspired clothing may influence an individual’s perception about safer ways of adorning the human body with tattoo designs. The researchers therefore conclude that tattoo-inspired prints and garment may help in reducing risks associated with permanent tattoos. The study contributes to the efforts being made by scholars towards the reduction of perceived risks of tattooing. The study is novel because, available literature shows that although there are some studies on tattoo-inspired clothing, no study has been conducted to investigate whether tattoo-inspired textile prints and garments have the capability of reducing risks associated with tattooing. It is recommended that textile designers, fashion designers and all those who matter in the textile value chain shift part of their focus to the production of tattoo-inspired textile prints and garments. By so doing, it is expected that more people will develop interest for wearing tattoo-inspired clothing instead of permanent tattoos.