recapping the i2 2024 launch

a night to remember...

Jan 29, 2025

Written by Azra Schorr

Photography by Lyss Lester

The day started with tattooing. 15 artists lined up neatly across the industrial cavern of The Secret Door, a crowd slowly forming at the entrance. They had pasted up all the flash sheets on the wall and everyone was huddled around trying to decide which design to select. The variety was dizzying; a sheet of skulls, a flying goose, a falling Icarus, abstract tendrils and sigils. I myself took several trips up to the wall- just to check I didn’t miss a design. Option paralysis seems to have taken over.

The sounds of the room all blended together into a soft lull. Buzzing of the machines, chattering of friends deciding where to place their design, small talk between artists and patrons. It’s raining outside, so its extra cozy. An expertly curated playlist glides along in the back.

I have a stand set up with magazines, propped up to the waiting area. People graze by as they wait for their name to be called. A few buy copies (thank you!!) and a few pitch me some ideas. I get excited just thinking about all the cool new contributors we will feature next issue.

Eventually, it is time to transition. A classic hurry up and wait, and after a long day of sitting around watching the flash day, I am suddenly kicked into high gear. We’re moving furniture, we’re hanging posters. I do my makeup on a table using my phone as a mirror… it’ll be dark anyway. I’m stressed (naturally) but I’m having fun.

When the lights drop, everything falls into place. The room has transformed, and a space that was just crowded is now open and serene. Only the memory of the flash day remains. Seeing the space, walls covered in massive print outs of the cover washed in dim purple lighting, is euphoric.

People start arriving. Its a mix of contributors, friends of the tattoo parlor, and fans who found DECAL online. Carly Dagen and Emily Bjelica from Blank Slate are among the first to arrive, excitedly pointing out their names in the issue. Marshall Brockley from American Trad, Hawa Hymes from Say I Do, and more start piling in. Meeting people who found the magazine online and came out to support, thank you. Was so so so cool to hear from you all, and see how the content is resonating. I can’t help but feel proud to see the community I am trying to build come together IRL. Heart so full.

After stopping by the magazines to check out the new issue, people start concentrating in the back space. Not surprising, as the back of the parlor has a pool table, skate ramp, video games, and cozy couches. The environment feels cool yet intimate, an ideal balance. There’s things to do, people to talk to. I played pool for the first time and came to the conclusion that it’s kind of a useless game. Some are still getting tattooed, flashlights shining brightly above them to rescue from the darkness. Lyss runs around snapping photos, capturing the energy of the event and crafting the epic shots featured above and below. A space that was filled with soft noises only an hour ago is suddenly loud with bass, crashing of skateboards, and laughter. The lineup of DJ’s cycle through (thank you @yurkmusic @mattt.gpt @pedro.dinamita @atahualpa.ga you did so good).

The biggest thing I noticed? The community needs more of this. There is such a pervasive crossover between tattoo, fashion, and creativity. Cultivating an event where those people who fall between can come together, meet, hangout, and maybe even begin partnerships and creations of their own.

To more events in 2025. Let’s get together.