Words by Abigail Gurney-Read
Earrings. One small word, endless possibilities – a Pandora’s jewellery box, if you will, out of which pours dainty hoops, chandelier diamonds, subtle studs, baroque pearls… You name it! So, lend an ear to our ultimate earring guide, including expert advice from designer and piercing pro Maria Tash.
The little black dress of earrings, gold hoops are the enduring classics that never fall from favour. One size doesn’t fit all, however – for every swooping architectural masterpiece, there’s a dainty loop just looking for a lobe to hug. Therein lies their appeal.
Variety is the spice of life – and, indeed, your earring arsenal. Once sworn enemies, silver and gold are now the best of friends, destined to decorate lobes hereafter in glorious, mismatched tandem. And we’re all ears.
What Maria Tash doesn’t know about piercing isn’t worth knowing. Since opening her first salon in 1992 in Manhattan’s East Village, the designer has – almost single-handedly – put multiple piercings on the map.
How would you describe the Maria Tash aesthetic?
I am drawn to minimalism in modern architecture, specifically flush-set and recessed lighting techniques. I think of diamonds like lights moulding to curls of cartilage, and wider planes of ear tissue as analogous to walls; in this way, diamonds become the light-beams that emerge out of gaps in a building’s structure. Much of my work has been to develop elegant and beautiful jewellery for all parts of the body, utilising my years of piercing experience. I have experimented extensively to understand what bar thicknesses, ring diameters and post lengths work best in all parts of the anatomy.
You pioneered the ‘Curated Ear’ – what does that look like?
Great curation is impressive and memorable, and there are many ways to achieve it. Well-matched, precisely angled hoops that glide up the ear and showcase their wearer’s best features, or several piercings that emerge out of uncommon areas of the ear, with no emphasis on the lobes; one needs to understand how the eye bounces around, what details stand out and, ultimately, the style of curation that will flatter the wearer. The perfect Curated Ear is as varied and unique as our clients.
What is your advice to someone considering a new ear piercing?
Be completely open – come in and look at the jewellery. A piece may speak to you when you see it, and you can work closely with our stylists to determine the best location for the piercing, as well as the design and metal colour that will optimise your skin tone, personal style and anatomy. We can also help you to curate your existing piercings. An important part of this is selecting pieces with a great anatomical fit – how they hug and tuck into the ear, plus many other tricks involving placement that can draw attention to and away from certain features. Ultimately, I want our clients to look in the mirror, see the curations and feel beautiful and brave; to wear them confidently with pride. Our choices, personal style and anatomy can all be represented through jewellery, showing the world a true expression of ourselves to date.
Find the Maria Tash Piercing Studio on the Lower Ground Floor. For enquiries and bookings, please call +44 (0)20 4540 0128.
