A casual dinner between two old friends has resulted in Mill Street becoming the new home of Stellenbosch’s latest and trendiest tattoo parlour. Tattoolya launched on 4 May and is providing a new take on what it means to ‘get inked’.
Marisa Noordegraaf and Francois Mellors-Hefer have combined 19 years of tattooing experience and 13 years of business and banking knowledge to open a co-owned tattoo and body-piercing studio in the heart of Stellenbosch.
Tattoolya: Stellenbosch’s latest tattoo and body-piercing parlour lends new perspective on what it means to “adorn” your body. They are situated on Mill Street, opposite Checkers and Mug & Bean. PHOTO: Kyra Tarr
For Noordegraaf, tattooing has been her craft for over 19 years.
“Although I’ve been in the industry for so long, I know I’ve never completely fit in, and I realised that the majority of people on the planet don’t fit in to that industry. I wanted to offer something that’s less intimidating. The approach here is gentle,” she said.
When questioned why he had abandoned an established career in banking, Mellors-Hefer laughs.
“I decided that it was time for me to do something different,” he said.
“Luckily at that same point in time Marisa was looking for a new business partner.”
Hard at work: Co-owner and tattoo artist, Marisa Noordegraaf, works on an iris flower design for one of her clients. She has been in the industry for almost two decades, since she was 14-years-old. PHOTO: Kyra Tarr
Tattoolya’s owners aimed to create a space that gives context and meaning to the words “body” and “art”. The walls are lined with paintings, photographs and sculptures; punctuated by pots of flowers and shelves of greenery.
“All the displayed artworks are done by artists that we know. We’d also like the studio to serve as a mini ‘art gallery’, if I can put it that way. Everything you see is for sale, so it’s just that something extra,” said Mellors-Hefer.
Unlike many other ‘typical’ tattoo parlours, Tattoolya aims to create an experience that is gentle and collaborative. A tiny garden in the back courtyard aids in creating this atmosphere. PHOTO: Kyra Tarr
Junior tattoo artist, Kim Swanepoel (21), says that drawing has been a part of her life for as long as she can remember. When questioned about her personal style, she speaks about the dedication and energy needed to produce every individual piece.
“I absolutely love drawing; especially realistically and in the neo-traditional style. I like to put a lot of detail into my work – bold lines and fine detail. It’s the focus and attention you put into your work that makes the difference.”
Process: Hours of practice have honed junior tattoo-artist, Kim Swanepoel’s (21), drawing skills. Here she is working on a detailed piece for a client that will take approximately six hours to complete. PHOTO: Kyra Tarr
Focus: Junior tattoo-artist, Kim Swanepoel (21), works on a client that has come in for a small line-work piece. The entire process is over in under 20 minutes. PHOTO: Kyra Tarr
Preferring to work in consultation with clients as opposed to “from a book”, the artists at Tattoolya spend a lot of time refining and creating their designs in the studio itself. This lends towards the overall feeling of walking into a gallery, as opposed to the more traditional and brash atmosphere of many other parlours.
“Every studio has their own type of clientele, as it is with any business,” said Noordegraaf.
“There is a stigma, of course there’s a stigma. But we’re creating a different environment where it can be digested.”
The parlour does not serve minors without written consent from a parent or legal guardian and is currently in the process of developing student pricing deals.
“The overall reception has been amazing – exactly what we’ve wanted – a space that is light and airy and not intimidating,” concluded Noordegraaf. – Kyra Tarr
WATCH: A video showing the interior of the studio and one of its owners designing a new piece for a client.