People often think of tattoos as body modification.

“But I see them as accessories,” said T.J. Harris, owner of BC1ofaKind, which is producing a tattoo-featured runway event for Pittsburgh Fashion Week at 7 p.m. Wednesday. “I want to bring that to fashion week.”

“The Fashion of Flesh” showcases local tattoo art on competing models and questions long-held beliefs and assumptions about tattoos, Harris said.

The event is at Hip at the Flashlight Factory on Pittsburgh’s North Side.

A tattoo is a permanent representation of both the wearer and the artist who created it, Harris said. Models with tattoos have been prohibited from being in fashion shows, but Harris hopes to change that.

He has 20 models who will showcase their tattoos and compete for cash prizes in three categories – best sleeve, best back and best chest tattoos.

Harris, who has several tattoos, also is a disc jockey and entertainment consultant who helps organize and produce weddings and professional events. He has been putting on such happenings for over 12 years in both Pittsburgh and California. His team for “The Fashion of Flesh” includes creative director John Bedortha and marketing director Alec Davis, both of Pittsburgh.

"Models always have clean, empty skin- a blank canvas for the artists; and it's really cool to be shown off as an artist, as your flesh literally being part of who you are, and part of your art and fashion," says Jessica Rosario from The Fashion of Flesh. https://t.co/EwjcDmfY7m pic.twitter.com/IP2eEnCqor

— Pittsburgh Fashion Week (@PGHFW) September 27, 2019

Models with chest, back or sleeve (arm or leg) tattoos will be part of a show that highlights what tattoos mean to the model.

Designers created garments to complement a model’s tattoos.

“Tattoos are an art form,” said Gracie Schwartz of Carrick, who runs a tattoo shop. “The thought used to be you can’t have a tattoo where someone can see it, but that’s not the case anymore.”

Tickets are $20. Hip at the Flashlight Factory is located at 831 W. North Avenue, North Side.