Friends of FMF: Jon Mesa
60-millimeter boots, a sharply cut leather jacket, and a pair of sensational flared pants strut their way through the Lower East Side of Manhattan on a brisk Spring day. An unmistakable pairing that looks as if it walked straight off one of Hedi Slimane’s Runway presentations. Adding a unique flair (no pun intended) Tattoo artist and fashion enthusiast Jon Mesa aka @youcantquitmebaby has become deeply rooted in the rock n’ roll aesthetic in one of the most genuine ways possible. I first met Mesa through social media as I noticed his robust collection of Celine, YSL, and Amiri among other rock-influenced brands. Anyone can buy & wear designer clothing but there is something unique when someone genuinely loves and cares for the inspiration and lifestyle that they embody. In addition to his personal style, Mesa is the owner and dignified artist at his now 2 LES locations of “No Idols” Tattoo & Piercing. We recently had the opportunity to meet up with Mesa to document his personal style and gain insight into his influences and how he got his start in his career- we even got a few tattoos in the process. Be sure to check out the full interview and spread below.
For those who are unfamiliar with you - can you give a brief introduction of yourself and your relationship with fashion?
“My name is Jon Mesa, I’ve been a tattoo artist for 15 years, I'm the owner of No Idols Tattoo Bowery and No Idols NYC Tattoo & Piercing on Orchard St. but I’m also known as @youcantquitmebaby on IG where I love to document and share my love affair with fashion.”
When did you begin your tattoo career & what sparked your interest in the industry?
“My tattoo career started here in New York City in 2007. Since I was a kid I always liked tattoos a lot. Something about them drew me in and I always saw myself as someone that would have tattoos. I got my first tattoo as soon as I turned 18 but I never thought of doing tattoos myself. I was going to school for graphic design and around that time a friend of mine who was a tattoo artist and had done some tattoos for me suggested I pursue it. I wasn’t sure actually, I honestly wanted to pursue fashion then, instead of an apprenticeship but after I went to the tattoo shop and started learning I was hooked on tattooing plus traveling the world was always a dream of mine and I knew tattooing could help me do that.”
Tell us about your shop “No Idols” and about how it was founded.
"No Idols was founded in 2016 by myself and 3 other artists, it initially began as a collective private studio where we could do our work and just have a good time tattooing our clients and pushing each other to keep getting better at tattooing without egos, without anyone being the “Idol” of the group hence the name. As soon as we opened we had guest artists from all over the world come visit us, other NYC artists came to work with us and the shop kept growing. Over the years, life pulled the initial guys in different directions and before I knew it I became the sole owner of the shop. Currently, No Idols now is made of 10 talented artists that I’m lucky to also call my friends and my shop manager who is really the queen of the show and helps me run the shop.”
What is the most rewarding part of your job and what does the future hold for No Idols?
“I think the most rewarding part of my job is just being able to create things for people that’s gonna be on them for the rest of their lives. I think the future of No Idols is to continue to grow as a shop, we're always looking for new artists to join the team.”
What are some of your favorite pieces in your closet? Which items do you deem most essential?
“Some of my favorite pieces in my closet are my brown Amiri flare pants, the fit on them is insane. I have a 1991 Guns n Roses Tour Tee that’s super thrashed but it only makes it look better and a Celine SS20 Teddy Souvenir Jacket in collaboration with David Kramer that reads “I have nostalgia for things I probably have never known” it’s such a beautiful piece and that quote just connects with me so much because sometimes I feel like I should have been around in the late ’60s-’70s. I think the items that I deem most essential are some camel color western boot in suede, some black jeans, and a black biker jacket. It’s a great base outfit that just by changing the first layer, you can change the look to suit the occasion or weather so easily. For example, pair that with a tank top, T-shirt, button-up shirt with Tie, Turtleneck, or even no shirt with some neck jewelry and it changes the look completely but it still works, just depends where you're going and the statement you're trying to make.”
Were you always into the rock n’ roll look?
“I’ve always loved rock n’ roll but I haven't always been into the rock n’ roll look. I haven't always been as confident and as comfortable with myself to wear some of the things I wear now. As a tattooer I was scared to wear nice things to work so for a while I dressed in selvage jeans, black shirts, boots, and flannels. Fashion wasn’t really something I was focused on at the time. I was into streetwear too a long time ago and still have some OG Supreme pieces that I refuse to let go!”
Who are your favorite designers/favorite brands currently?
“First and foremost Hedi Slimane’s Celine, Saint Laurent, Acne Studios, and Amiri.”
How has social media played a part in your career?
It’s played a huge part in my career, everything I do in both Tattooing and Fashion is visual, so it’s been the best way to connect with other like-minded people and get a large audience to see the things I make.”
In addition to your tattoo career, you have begun working and modeling for brands like John Varvatos and other up-and-coming brands- can you tell us about that experience?
“It's been such a great experience, getting dressed up has always been something that’s made me feel good and confident. I started posting my outfits as a way to keep myself entertained during the lockdowns, I had to close my shop, I couldn’t tattoo so it became a different way for me to express myself, my creativity, my eye for photography. Little did I know that I would connect with a huge community and that I would inspire others to experiment with their personal style and that I would make friends with people I still haven’t even met in person. So when brands started reaching out to me it really blew my mind and I'm very grateful. Up and coming new brands I've worked with are Phix Clothing, Donahue Eyewear, SEP Jeans, NOK NOK London, and Luxxe MX.”
How did you stumble across Fashion Moves Forward?
“I stumbled across Fashion Moves Forward through the explore page haha I think it was one of the outfits of the week posts which I love by the way and last fall one of my outfits made it in and I freaked!”
Are there any social media pages/sources you recommend for inspiration?
“Some of my favorite inspo pages are @TheEverydayRockstar, @theuppershelf, @bykishin, and of course FMF.”
Lastly, what advice would you like to pass on in regards to fashion, tattooing, or life in general?
“Never underestimate the impact of a great outfit, haha but I’ll finish with these famous words by late great Christopher Wallace aka The Notorious BIG which I think applies very well to fashion, tattooing, and life “Stay far from Timid, Only make moves when your heart’s in it and live the phrase Sky’s the limit.”