More than a thousand people flocked downtown earlier this week for a chance to meet the star of the TLC program L.A. Ink.
Tattoo artist Kat Von D was in Ottawa promoting her new book, High Voltage Tattoo, the same day her boyfriend, Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx, was in town to perform at Scotiabank Place.
Ottawa resident Bianca Wahab was in the line of over 1,000 fans at the Rideau Street Chapters waiting to get up close and personal with their idol.
For Wahab, 21, the opportunity to say thank you to her hero was worth far more than the autograph opportunity.
“She’s such an inspiration to me,” said Wahab, who has her own fashion and accessory line.
Wahab came to the table with a custom purse in hand, designed specifically for Von D. The leather bag displayed a giant lightening bolt in the centre, which Wahab modeled after Von D’s High Voltage logo.
“I just wanted to give her something to say thanks,” said Wahab. “You know, she’s a woman in the business. It was to kind of say “you go girl.”
Fans were asked to have only the book ready to be signed and keep all other memorabilia to themselves to allow everyone an opportunity for an autograph and photo.
This didn’t stop fans from giving Von D gifts — from CDs to birthday cards (Von D turned 27 on March 8.)
After an hour, fans were warned there may not be time to get through everyone, however, the staff along with Von D’s entourage ensured each had the opportunity to greet the star.
Von D continues her book tour through the United States until March 22.
