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2009: Ear piercings are mostly administered at Claire’s with a rusty piercing gun or at home, Parent Trap-style.
2019: Claire’s hasn’t regained its footing post-bankruptcy, and a piercing startup has launched to fill the market’s holes.
Studs, a retail concept that’s half jewelry store, half piercing salon, launched yesterday with an online store and NYC boutique. It’s backed by First Round Capital, which led a $3 million fundraise for Studs’s debut.
What sets it apart: You run a smaller risk of getting infected in the piercing chair. Studs only uses single-use needles and implant-grade materials like surgical steel and titanium.
Why it’ll last: Ear lobe real estate is finite; a Studs customer’s loyalty isn’t. After piercings, customers can keep purchasing earrings from Studs’s curated shop.
- Another advantage: Studs offers a service that customers can only get in stores. As Cofounder Anna Harman told Glossy, “you are never digitally getting your ears pierced.”
What’s next: With its 14k backing, Studs is planning to open more piercing studios, hire more piercers, and refine its website.