Kat & Co is an independent clothing line celebrating the theme of russian prison tattoos.

The history of tattoos is frowned upon and bleak. Is it an art form or is it solely for hardened criminals? Many years ago in the Soviet Union there was a strong culture of tattoos being used to indicate one’s criminal career and rank within Russian criminal and prison communities. Branding of criminals was practiced in Russia long before tattooing was customary and banned in 1863.

In jails and prisons around the world, tattoos can become a significant part of an inmate’s uniform, not only marking the crime they’re in for but also serving as a way to communicate with others. In Russia, for instance, a dagger through the neck suggests that an inmate has murdered someone in prison and is available to carry out hits for others-meaning, if you see that guy walking toward your cell once all the guards have disappeared, you should run for the hills.

Kat & Co was made with the intention to celebrate these beautiful illustrations opposed to dismissing them. Tattoos have become so commonplace in society 

today but sometimes for the wrong reason. Appearance and body obsession is real and most people tend to get tattoos too hastily with the aim to look good without truly acknowledging the meanings behind them.