Our journey through some of the world’s most interesting tattoo shops continues with a stop in Madrid, Spain, where founder Gustavo Barahona, better known as El Bara, welcomes us inside True Love Tattoo for an exclusive virtual tour.
In this video, Gustavo Barahona takes us through the different spaces of the studio while sharing the philosophy that has guided True Love Tattoo since day one: respect for Traditional tattooing, openness to different artistic approaches, and the desire to offer every client the best possible tattoo experience in a welcoming, family-like atmosphere.
Located in the vibrant neighbourhood of Malasaña, a historic district known for its creative spirit and its connection to the Movida Madrileña cultural movement, True Love Tattoo has been part of the city’s tattoo scene since 2006. After years of tattooing and running a studio in Buenos Aires, Bara opened the shop with the idea of creating a classic old school street shop built around a relaxed atmosphere, where clients and artists alike feel at home.
Traditional tattooing has always been at the heart of the studio’s identity, but without becoming a limitation. While Gustavo Barahona has dedicated much of his career to developing a personal interpretation of Traditional tattooing, the studio has always embraced a broader vision, bringing together artists specialising in Japanese, Neo Traditional, Black and Grey, Fine Line, Realism and other contemporary styles.
Today, the resident team includes Gustavo Barahona (El Bara), Marta Montero, Melissa Kay Carter, Blanca Mediavilla, Ricardo de Paz, Pablo Stains, Alenka Myers, Gonzalo TNT and Antonio Mobili, supported by shop manager Flavio. The studio also regularly hosts guest artists from around the world, further enriching the creative exchange that has always been part of True Love Tattoo’s identity.
Open six days a week, the shop mainly works by appointment while always keeping space available for walk-in clients.
Take the virtual tour and discover one of Madrid’s most established tattoo destinations from the inside.
