SLUG Style: Victoria Minji Lee

Victoria Minji Lee is a tattoo artist and owner of Everybody Tattoo in Salt Lake City. After moving to Utah in 2011, Lee continued her hobbyist handpoke tattooing she began in college and eventually became a member of Everybody Tattoo in 2019, becoming its owner a year later. Every month, SLUG Style features a distinct member of the community and asks them why they do what they do. Exploring more than just clothing, SLUG Style is an attempt to feature the people who give Salt Lake City flavor through personality and panache.

SLUG: What are your stylistic influences? This could be a band, decade, fictional character—anything.

Victoria Minji Lee: COLOR!!! I feel that my style is always evolving, but lately I am constantly driven by color, particularly the primaries. 

SLUG: Tell us about your history with tattooing. How did you realize it was something that interested you? How did you end up doing it professionally?

Lee: When I was younger, I just thought that tattoos were so cool! I never actually imagined becoming a tattoo artist let alone a tattoo shop owner! I started giving myself handpoke tattoos in college. I was going through a lot of personal changes and started this practice purely out of curiosity and a desire for tattoos. After moving to Utah in 2011, unsure of what exactly I wanted to pursue, I started going to school for art. Around that time was when I started tattooing my friends and friends of friends. The more I did it, the more I fell in love. After graduating with my BFA was when I was finally considering tattooing full time. I was lucky enough to join Everybody Tattoo when it first opened in 2019! A year later, I became the owner of the shop. It has definitely had its ups and downs, but I am so grateful to be where I’m at today. 

SLUG: What are your interests or hobbies outside of tattooing? Also, what is the hobby or interest that you have that no one would realize to ask you about?

Lee: Food—making and eating it. I also LOVE the ocean and would spend all day in/around the ocean if I could. A hobby or interest that no one would realize to ask me about? I had to think about that one, but I would have to say acting and singing! I don’t have much experience in either, but I always wanted to become a film actor. 

SLUG: Are you always “on” or would someone see you at the grocery store, for example, with less elements of your style?

Lee: I am definitely not always “on,” especially now that I have become a mother, getting ready everyday has become a challenge. Honestly, most days at home, I just hang with baby in our pj’s. But I guess that is why I cherish the days that I am “on” and take advantage when those roll around.

SLUG: How do your tattoos affect your style?

Lee: I’m not sure if they do. At this point, my tattoos just feel like a part of who I am. I have started getting more tattoos with color in recent years though! Going back to my love for color. 

SLUG: If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would those be? 

Lee: Passionate, emotional, goofy; caring, hard-working, understanding; driven by food

SLUG: How would you describe your art style?

Lee: My art style is illustrative, often inspired by nature, sometimes whimsical!

SLUG: How has your personal style evolved over time?

Lee: My style is constantly evolving! One thing I tend to gravitate towards more now is comfort. As much as I love clothing as a means of personal expression, I am also a very practical dresser. When I was a barista, my wardrobe was filled with black jeans and plain tees because that was what the dress code allowed. Nowadays, I love “dressing up” for work, but I will almost always  look at what placements I am tattooing that day to see how comfortably I want to be dressed. As cute as I want to look, I cannot deal with my outfit getting in the way of my tattooing process! Cute but comfy is the ultimate goal.

Read more about Everybody Tattoo:
Everybody Loves Everybody Tattoo