Dino Vallely

The opening to Dino Vallely’s story rings nothing but cinematic: as a little kid, he stands in his living room, all in awe as his father handpokes a tiny cat design onto his girlfriend’s shoulder blade. The father takes his time, working slowly, in complete silence. Although Dino couldn’t yet fully grasp the significance of the ritual, the moment feels sacred and unfathomably beautiful to him — like an invitation from destiny itself. As the decades piled on, Dino went from an obsessive sketcher to a tattoo virtuoso to a master of the craft. For the sake of categorization, his style could be filled under neo-tribal or ornamental, sure. Yet these descriptions barely scratch the surface when it comes to his magic. It has to do with his approach. For him, placement on the body comes first. Dino thinks of tattooing more like crafting a piece of cloth — something with its own anima, moving and flowing along with the person wearing the designs. Like a kimono, you could say. In fact, Dino is deeply inspired by traditional fabrics, especially those of Oriental and Asian origin. Weaving together intricate patterns and figurative elements, he creates dynamic compositions that feel both timeless and intimately personal — touché every time.