She is a singer, influencer, and likes to do modelling and styling. She is very passionate about rockabilly and, as you can see in these photos,t 40s/50s style.
She is the Brazilian tattooed girl Gabi Engel and here she talks with us about Traditional tattoos and her love for a very special event, Viva Las Vegas tattoo Convention!
Hi Gabriela welcome to Tattoo Life. Brazilian by order and American by adoption, where exactly do you live now and since when?
Hi, thank you for having me. My name is Gabi Engel and I am Brazilian, born and raised in Sao Paulo. I moved to Las Vegas, NV, USA in 2016 and here I am ever since. My dream is to one day move to California, hopefully soon.
Where did your passion for tattoo start? Do you have a style or any characteristic you look for in the work you do?
I got my first tattoo when I was 17 years old. It was the Ramones logo on my back and right away I fell in love with it. I owned a shop for several years back in Brazil but sadly never learned how to tattoo. I never thought I had the necessary skills for it but maybe one day I’ll learn and develop my own style.
I saw that you have a tattoo on your back. What did you choose for this important part?
After the Ramones logo on my back I decided to go for a nautical theme which forced me to cover up the logo since it didn’t make sense any more. I still haven’t finish this tattoo and I’m waiting to find the right artist to get the job done.
What do you do for a living?
I’m a co-manager/visual merchandise manager for a big retail company. I’m also a singer and influencer part-time.
I like to do some modelling and styling on the side to keep myself busy.
I saw that you attended the Viva Las Vegas Show, for pleasure or for work?
Viva Las Vegas is one of the reasons I moved to Las Vegas. I’m very passionate about rockabilly and the 40s/50s style. I love vintage fashion and VLV is all of it combined.
On your IG page you have many shots with outfits very much in line with tattoo-related looks. Do you do it for work or is it really a passion of yours?
It’s both. I do it for love and do get to do modelling for amazing brands as well. It’s great when you can combine what you love with work.
I love styling pieces together using my references and my own judgement. I don’t normally follow trends, I prefer to stick with fashion values.
You are also a singer! What genre do you like?
I do sing and it’s mostly rockabilly. My songs have other influences like country, psychobilly, rock’n’roll and some modern music too. Everything that I am comes out in my songs.
How do you choose your tattoo artists? Can you name a couple and the work they have done for you?
I look for Traditional artists. Thick and precise lines and lately I’m very into Traditional tattoos only in black, no other colours. My favourite artist is Cesar Malnova from Brazil. His art is amazing and he really captures exactly what I’m looking for.
Plans for the next months in your life and work?
I’m recording a few songs over the next few weeks and I plan to make videos for every single one of them. Life will take me where I’m supposed to be, always, so I’ll just live the moment and see what happens.
