Women Who Ink: How a Female-Led Studio Is Changing the Tattoo Game
Since opening her tattoo studio in 2014, Kimberley has been rewriting the rules of getting inked.
What started as a personal mission to create a more inviting, homely, and hygienic space has grown into Twisted Chapel, a thriving studio run entirely by women—challenging the male-dominated tattoo industry while welcoming everyone who walks through the door.
“I wanted a different aesthetic,” Kimberley recalls. “Tattoo flashbooks—picking designs from a book—never felt inviting. I wanted a space where people felt safe, at home, and free to express themselves.”
Twisted Chapel, nestled on the corner of Harborough Road, offers a wide range of tattoos, including cosmetic tattooing for eyebrows, lips, beauty spots, and freckles. But it’s the all-female team that sets it apart. Kimberley is joined by three talented artists—Sarah, Molly, and Kendall—friends first, connected through a female tattooist support group on Facebook.
“Tattoo shops used to be competitive. We barely associated with each other,” Kimberley says. “Now we’re a team. We welcome everyone, and our studio is about feeling happy and safe.”
Each artist brings a unique style: Sarah specializes in colorful pieces and popular gaming characters, Molly leans into fantasy and blackwork, Kendall crafts ornamental and fine-line tattoos, while Kimberley herself blends realism with a mix of styles. This diversity isn’t just about artistic flair—it’s about inclusivity, and it shows.
“We actually have a real 50/50 gender mix of men and women coming here,” Kimberley says.
For many clients, tattoos are deeply personal. They cover scars, mark milestones, celebrate resilience, or simply bring joy.
One unforgettable project involved a client who had undergone a mastectomy and breast reconstruction after battling breast cancer. She wanted floral tattoos on her chest to feel confident, reclaim her body, and embrace her femininity. “Her story was incredibly inspiring,” Kimberley says. “That’s why this job is amazing—you get to help people feel good in their own skin.”
Gone are the days of flipping through flashbooks for inspiration. Today, the internet puts a world of designs at clients’ fingertips. Many commission custom pieces to reflect their personality, life stories, or passions. Some get tattoos for therapy or closure, others to honour pets, celebrate milestones, or even mark their love for music or pop culture.
Many female tattooists have made their mark on the industry over the years.
Kimberley approaches her own tattoos with the same intention. Some are inspired by beautiful designs she’s seen; others capture a moment in time. She has Lady Gaga on her back—a piece she might not get now, but it instantly takes her back to that period of her life. On her arm, she wears an alternative Barbie, a playful statement about embracing imperfection and individuality. Placement is just as important as the design—the snake on her hand was chosen not only for the artwork itself but for how it entwines with her body, enhancing the flow and curves of her hand. For Kim, tattoos are living journals, storybooks of life you wear on your skin.
I think tattoos are like listening to music. If you hear an old record it takes you back in time. These tattoos mark the journal of my life; the story of my life.
“There’s a mental game with tattoos,” she adds. “First-timers are nervous, but once it’s done, it’s a huge accomplishment.
The best part of Kimberley’s job is meeting so many amazing people, hearing their stories, and seeing the customer’s reaction at the sight of the finished tattoo.
Watching clients light up and knowing she created that for them is unbeatable. It’s about more than ink. It’s about confidence, making someone else feel good in their own skin, and empowering people.
In a studio built by women, for everyone, every tattoo is more than art—it’s a celebration of life, identity, and self-love.
Twisted Chapel is situated at 84 Harborough Road, Northampton, NN2 8DH.
For further details visit Twisted Chapel’s website: https://www.twistedchapel.co.uk/