Former Footballer Turned Tattooed Lifestyle Model: Stephen James
Words by Joseph Benjamin
INSTAGRAM.COM/@WHOISELIJAH
Former professional footballer, Stephen James body is somewhat of a living canvas. His perfectly sculpted physique is encapsulated from head to toe with intricate tattoo art. From portraiture to icons and geometric patterns, James´s body is more than a showcase for ink. Under the guidance of his agency, Storm models in London, the Hammersmith born beauty has become somewhat of a modeling sensation both in and out the studio, having worked with clients such as Philipp Plein and Calvin Klein sitting alongside a social media fan base of well over a million followers.
Modeling was never a goal for Stephen, but with a keen interest in fashion and a dedication to success no matter what the stuck-up, fashion industry has to say about him.He decided to jump into a world completely foreign to him. ¨I was living in Barcelona and playing soccer there when I got hurt, and I was scouted while in rehab for the injury. So modeling was bit unexpected, but I had thought about it prior to that. As I traveled for soccer, I would always pick up modeling cards from different agencies, but it wasn’t until I had the problem with the injury that I decided, why not give this a try. Luckily it’s worked out so far.¨
The biggest thing about me is that I’m actually very shy. I’m not confident in certain situations. But with the success I’ve been experiencing, I have learned to be a bit more approachable and open – Stephen James
Tattoos
Several years ago, whilst playing soccer in Prague, Stephen got his first tattoo, a Star of David on his right elbow. Shortly after receiving his first tattoo he decided it was time to go all in or not at all. Not caring about what other may think or say about his body art, he made a beautiful canvas into a masterpiece. “All my friends were telling me I would regret it. But I’ve come too far now to regret it. However, I will say that tattoos have become so commercial now. People tattooing themselves to become tattooed models, I think, is ridiculous. For me, I got tattoos because I was really interested in art and music.”
It gives me a good feeling to know that people from all over the world are devoting their time and energy to my career as well as tagging me in editorials that I haven´t seen yet – Stephen James
A fascination for fine arts led him to have his whole arm tattooed when he was in Barcelona. ¨I started studying Salvador Dali´s life and works and I became fascinated with his personality. I found a lot of similarities between us, given the way he was perceived as being eccentric¨ something which James had experienced a lot of, playing soccer. On his right arm, a striking image of Morrissey takes pride of place ¨I grew up listening to him and The Smiths. I have a big connection to that sort of music and their lyrics. I used my left arm for my artistic inspirations, and my right one for a British theme. ¨ Music clearly made its mark on his skin as all his favorite artists from youth have been immortalized. Siouxsie Sioux and the Banshees, Ian Dury from the Blockheads and Robert Smith from The Cure are some of the acoustic nobility that feature. ¨Some of the tattoos are very intricate, so it’s not like I could go to my local shop and get them done. There are a few where I’ve had to travel, or wait months and months in order to get them done. ¨ Luckily, in the end, this has all come together.
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