It was the summer of 2007, and Amy Winehouse was arguably the most famous woman on the planet. Back to Black was playing in every shop from Camden to California, and her look—the towering beehive, the thick feline eyeliner, and the vintage-style ink—had become a global uniform for the disaffected. But there was one piece of body art that caused more chatter than her music.
I'm talking about the "Blake's" tattoo.
Sitting right over her heart, tucked inside a cheeky stenciled shirt pocket, was the name of the man who would define the highest and lowest points of her life: Blake Fielder-Civil. It wasn't her most beautiful tattoo. It wasn't the most technical. Honestly, it looked like a doodle in a school notebook. But it was raw. It was spontaneous. And it became a symbol of a love story that everyone—from her father Mitch to the frantic London tabloids—was watching with a sense of impending dread.
The Story Behind the Amy Winehouse Blake Tattoo
Amy didn't do things by halves. When she met Blake Fielder-Civil at The Good Mixer pub in Camden in 2005, she didn't just fall for him; she spiraled. He was a production assistant with a sharp wit and a reckless streak that mirrored her own. Within a week of meeting him, she had his name permanently etched onto her chest.
Think about that for a second. One week.
The design was a classic "jailhouse" style font, reading "Blake's," placed just above her left breast. Beneath it was a small, outlined pocket. It was a play on the idea of keeping someone close to your heart—literally inside your pocket. It was the ultimate "fuck you" to the concept of taking things slow.
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Why the Placement Mattered
Most people get their partner's name on a wrist or an ankle. Something easy to cover if things go south. Amy put it over her heart. It was a visceral statement of ownership. Interestingly, Blake returned the gesture, getting "Amy" tattooed behind his right ear.
The Artist Who Saw It All
Henry Hate, a London-based tattoo artist and close friend of Amy's, was the man behind much of her iconic ink. He’s the one who did the "Cynthia" pin-up on her arm, a tribute to her grandmother. Hate has often spoken about how Amy viewed tattoos as a diary of her life. They weren't just decorations; they were scars she chose herself.
While Hate didn't do every single piece on her body, he was there for the aftermath. He saw the way the amy winehouse blake tattoo became a lightning rod for criticism. When Blake was incarcerated in 2008 at Pentonville Prison, Amy’s tattoos began to reflect her grief. She even got a small teardrop under her eye—a classic prison-style tattoo signifying she was "waiting" for someone behind bars.
Did She Ever Get It Removed?
This is the question that fans still argue about on Reddit threads and in YouTube comments. The short answer? No.
By 2009, the relationship was in tatters. They divorced that year while Blake was still in prison. Rumors flew that Amy was visiting laser removal clinics in London to "zap" Blake off her chest. Reports at the time suggested she wanted a fresh start. Some tabloids even claimed she had it covered with a different design during a trip to Saint Lucia.
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But here’s the reality: she didn't.
In the final photos of Amy taken in the summer of 2011, the "Blake's" pocket is still clearly visible. It had faded a bit, sure, but the name was still there. Even after the fights, the drug-fueled chaos, and the very public divorce, she kept his name over her heart. Some see it as a sign that she never truly stopped loving him. Others see it as a tragic reminder that she couldn't let go of the things that hurt her most.
The Misconception of the "Pocket"
A lot of people think the tattoo was just the name. The pocket was actually a separate element added later. It was meant to make the tattoo look like a piece of a waitress's uniform or a bowling shirt. It added a bit of that 1950s rockabilly charm that she loved so much.
The Symbolism That Fans Miss
When we talk about the amy winehouse blake tattoo, we usually focus on the drama. But look at her other ink for context:
- The Horseshoe: On her left arm, with "Daddy's" written above it.
- The Girl: A topless pin-up that she had to cover with a marker-drawn bikini for the 2008 Grammys.
- The Ankh: On her back, symbolizing eternal life.
Amy was obsessed with loyalty. Her tattoos were tributes to the people she deemed her "tribe." When she got the Blake tattoo, she wasn't thinking about a PR image. She was documenting a feeling. Tattoos are permanent, and Amy lived her life with that same sense of "all-in" permanence.
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Actionable Takeaways for Tattoo Lovers
If you're inspired by Amy’s style—but maybe want to avoid the heartache—here’s what you should actually consider before getting "tribute ink":
- Placement is Psychology: Putting a name over your heart is a heavy commitment. If you’re getting a partner’s name, consider the "behind the ear" approach like Blake did—it’s easier to hide if the narrative changes.
- The Style is "Old School": Amy’s tattoos are a prime example of Traditional or "Sailor" style. They use thick black outlines and limited color palettes. If you want her look, ask your artist for "American Traditional with a London grit."
- Removal is a Process: Don't rely on the idea of "just lasering it off later." Laser removal is expensive, incredibly painful, and doesn't always work perfectly. Amy herself reportedly looked into it but never followed through.
The Amy Winehouse Blake tattoo remains one of the most famous pieces of celebrity ink because it tells a story that doesn't have a happy ending. It’s a permanent record of a temporary moment that felt like forever. For Amy, that pocket over her heart was never just about a guy; it was about her inability to love in moderation.
If you are planning on getting a tribute tattoo, take a page from Amy’s book—not the part about the names, but the part about the meaning. Choose designs that represent your history, your family, and your "wings" that can never be clipped.
Expert Insight: If you’re looking to replicate the look of Amy’s ink, look for artists who specialize in "Traditional" or "Ignorant Style" tattooing. These artists prioritize the raw, hand-drawn feel that Amy loved, rather than the hyper-realistic portraits common today. Use 2026-era vegan inks for better longevity and fewer allergic reactions compared to the pigments used in the mid-2000s.