Now trending: multiple ear and body piercings. What are the best and most stylish, luxurious and hygienic piercing artists and studios in the world? Our ace correspondent Julie Chang Murphy has a curated list of the 10 best piercing artists and studios in New York, London and other leading cities in the world right now.
now trending in luxury: ear and body piercings
Many of us first had our ears pierced at the local mall, next to stands selling unwieldy hot pretzels or soggy cinnamon buns. Don’t get us wrong- it was still exhilarating to pick out petite gemstone studs and experience that girlhood rite of passage. But if you’re an adult looking to add to a traditional ear piercing, an upgrade might be in order.
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Multiple piercings along the “earscape” and body piercings are trending heavily thanks to their Insta-worthy photos. Like a sparkling constellation of subtle shine, small hoops and rhinestones on the tragus, helix, daith, and conch are a perfect mode of self-expression. The possibilities and combinations are endless, but, unlike tattoos, you can change it up everyday.
The best piercing artists and studios in New York, London and the rest of the world.
On a personal note, after I lobbed off twelve inches of hair two years ago in favor of a pixie cut, I’ve been thinking of getting some expert lobe styling myself. My ears are always showing now, so why not decorate?
The best piercing artists and studios in New York, London and the rest of the world.
The Best Piercing Artists and Studios in the World
Here are the top 10 best and most stylish, luxurious (and hygienic!) piercing studios in New York, LA, San Francisco, Chicago and London. Maybe I’ll see you there!
New York
1. Maria Tash
What celeb hasn’t gotten pierced at Maria Tash? Rihanna, Scarlett, Charlize, Beyonce, Gwyneth…the list goes on. Maria Tash is the leading global fine jewelry and luxury piercing destination those looking for an upscale environment and jewelry selection. Expert stylists will guide clients to the jewelry and piercings that best highlight their features, taking into careful consideration personal aesthetic, skin tone, and jewelry choice.
The best piercing artists and studios in New York, London and the rest of the world: Maria Tash.
As for the jewelry itself, the pieces are all exquisitely designed by Maria Tash and feature innovations specifically for piercings. For example, she was the first to offer secure, internally threaded jewelry in a 19 gauge (0.9mm) thickness. It does not stretch the piercing to a larger gauge. She also specializes in true fit navel jewelry, which is curvier and sized specifically to each client.
Maria Tash has locations in New York, Dubai, London, Rome, and Dublin.
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2. Studs
Piercing parlors get a bright and modern makeover with Studs, which has locations in Nolita and Hudson Yards. The founders Anna Harman and Lisa Bubbers sought to create a stylish and accessible space in-between Claire’s and grungy tattoo parlors and their bet has paid off. The neon accented decor, private piercing rooms and fun displays have drawn in celebs like Kaia Gerber and cool Gen Z kids and millennials alike.
The best piercing artists and studios in New York, London and the rest of the world: Studs NYC.
It’s easy to forget that getting a piercing is, in fact, a minor medical procedure and the professionals at Studs take it seriously. They pierce with disposable needles, never guns. And all piercing jewelry is implant-grade, on top of being just really cute and reasonably priced.
3. Love Adorned
The gypsy, boho aesthetic at Love Adorned, which has locations in New York, LA and Amagansett, is off the charts. It hits just the right mood if you’re looking to get some piercings to express your inner wild child. The lifestyle store from veteran retailer Lori Leven focuses on a curated inventory informed by years of traveling and collecting. And they pierce ears, noses, lips, nipples, navels, tongues and eyebrows.
The best piercing artists and studios in New York, London and the rest of the world: Love Adorned.
Each piercing is done by a highly trained professional using a single-use, laser-cut piercing needle. They also offer 30 minute styling appointments if clients are unsure and need help deciding on placement and piercing styles. The piercers have been lauded as patient, attentive, and caring in review after review. Sometimes even a wild child needs some TLC.
Chicago
4. Identity Body Piercing
Identity Body Piercing first opened its doors in 2013 as Chicago’s premiere piercing-only studio. Owner Molly Bennet hand-selects a small team of passionate and knowledgeable piercers who are constantly continuing their education by attending Association of Professional Piercers conferences and researching gemstones and gemology. In addition to carrying jewelry from all over the world, the store also has an in-house jewelry line that is handmade in the studio.
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Los Angeles
5. Body Electric
Owner of Body Electric and piercer extraordinaire Bryan Keith Thompson might look intimidating with his sleeve tattoos and stretched lobe piercing. But he’s earned the right to project a power aura: he is the piercer of choice for LA celebs. Known for his delicate and feminine work, Thompson has raised the bar for studios in LA—providing an approachable, relaxed and astonishingly clean shop to his clients.
The best piercing artists and studios in the world: Body Electric.
The store stocks only the highest quality body jewelry from manufacturers in the United States including Anatometal, Neometal, Industrial Strength and Body Vision.
6. Oak and Poppy
With its reclaimed wood paneling, exposed brick and trendy light fixtures, Oak and Poppy may look more like a cafe than a tattoo and piercing studio. The team of four professional piercers have inducted celebs like Kylie Jenner, Chrissy Teigen, Anna Kendrick and Jenna Dewan into the ear party club. The shop carries stylish selections from the most upscale piercing jewelry brands like Body Gems, BVLA and Anotometal.
San Francisco
7. Fiat Lux / Rose Gold’s Tattoo and Piercing
Fiat Lux is an upscale indie jewelry store whose carefully curated vintage pieces and eclectic designs have earned them a cult-following. Its sister store, Rose Gold’s Tattoo and Piercing is owned by the same boss lady, Marie McCarthy, and is known for being one of the only disposable piercing studios in the country. Meaning piercing tools are used once and only once, and then discarded.
The best piercing artists and studios in the world: Fiat Lux.
If you’re feeling rebellious and bold and don’t mind being pierced at a tattoo parlor, Rose Gold’s might suit you just fine. However, if you’d prefer the posh environs of a pretty jewelry store, Fiat Lux offers piercings on the weekends. Either way, the experienced staff are members of the Association of Professional Piercers.
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London
8. Liars & Lovers
Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Carnaby Street, Liars & Lovers offers a VIP piercing experience in a plush and stylish studio downstairs of their eclectic jewelry store. They specialize in ear piercings – and their roster of piercing artists are highly skilled at helping you create your dream ear stack. Often piercing jewelry can look plain and boring. But the selection at Liars & Lovers could be statement pieces on their own.
9. Sacred Gold
This beautiful, vintage inspired store provides a luxurious body piercing experience in Coal Drops Yard. Piercings take place in a private back room with piercing and jewelry specialists who will walk clients through the process, explain all the sterilizing formalities and educate on after-care. While Sacred Gold carries Europe’s largest selection of BVLA fine body jewelry, the store is also notable for creating bespoke jewelry for a unique piece of art anywhere on the body.
The top piercing artists and studios in London: Sacred Gold.
10. Astrid & Miyu
Astrid & Miyu is a London-based contemporary jewelry brand. It’s also one of the top piercing studios in London. The brand has quickly built a cult status among fashion editors, celebrities and influencers since its launch in 2012. Their in-house designed pieces are dainty yet striking and they are best known for their signature ear stacks.
The best piercing artists and studios in the world: Astrid & Miyu.
There are “Ear Bar” locations at St. Christopher’s Place, Seven Dials Covent Garden and pop ups in London and Birmingham Selfridges where the stylish set can get their ears pierced. The team of piercers have over 15 years of experience and use a needle-only technique.
The Best Piercing Artists and Studios in the World
There you have it- our picks for the top piercing artists and studios should you be looking to bedazzle yourself. Shine on!
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For access to insider ideas and information on the world of luxury, sign up for our Dandelion Chandelier Newsletter here. And see luxury in a new light.
Crediting her training as a cultural anthropologist at Wellesley College, Julie has immersed herself in various industries in the last 15 years including fashion design, event planning, and fitness. Julie lives in New York where she loves trying every ramen and dumpling restaurant with her husband and three children. She finds joy in bold prints, biographies of fierce women, kickboxing. And spending way too long finding the perfect polish color to express her mood.
