LUKE PAINE x Merchants® BTS

by Merchants®

BEHIND THE MERCHANTS® x LUKE PAINE COLLAB

Some stories begin quietly. A moment of curiosity, a passing thought, a message sent into the unknown. This one began in a DM. Matthew, founder of Merchants®, had long admired the work of tattoo artist Luke Paine — not just for its bold lines or references to American traditional art, but for the way it felt familiar and unexpected all at once. There was a freedom to it, a sense that the rules could bend without breaking. Reaching out felt natural. What came next was the kind of collaboration that builds slowly — from shared references, scattered sketches, and a mutual desire to create something that felt like both a tribute and a departure.

What followed was a back-and-forth that took place across time zones, notebooks, and more than a few rough drafts. Matthew began sketching with Luke’s work in mind — translating flashes of tattoo art into the language of metal. “.

“We’re both pulling inspiration from odd places and turning it into something wearable.” — Matthew Banks

The final pieces weren’t just designed — they were shaped by the rhythm of two artists working at the edge of their mediums. When the first samples were ready, Matthew flew to London to meet Luke in person and place the pieces — physical, weighty, real — in his hands.

SHOT IN LOS ANGELES, US

To honour the collection’s roots, the campaign was taken to Los Angeles. More than a backdrop, LA felt essential — the birthplace of so much of the visual language the collection pays homage to. Our team of photographers and videographers captured the pieces in a setting that reflected the raw spirit of American traditional tattooing. Motels, bar stools, sun-faded signs — each frame felt like part of a larger story, one that spoke to heritage, craftsmanship, and self-expression. It wasn’t about replicating the past, but about holding it with respect and giving it space to evolve.

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INK MEETS METAL—A LUKE PAINE COLLAB

The result is a collection of 18 limited pieces, made in small batches — each carrying the weight of two creative worlds brought together.

Ink and metal. Past and present. Tradition and reimagination. It’s a reflection of everything that happens when two artists sit with an idea long enough to let it shape itself. And like the best stories, it began with something small — and became something meant to be shared.

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Welcome to the Merchants Of The Sun Family