MEET THE EXPERT PIERCERS BEHIND OUR LUXURY PIERCING SERVICE
Behind our coveted piercing and ear styling experience, Ear Alchemy, is our talented team of expert piercers. Channeling a beautiful collision of form and function, they are the custodians of crafting endless and inspired piercing combinations, bringing the magic of Ear Alchemy to life.
With appointments conducted in our private Piercing Labs across our Strand Arcade, Paddington, Melbourne City and Brisbane stores, our piercers offer anatomy-specific guidance and advice throughout your piercing journey, ensuring unique ear transformations with considered ear styling compositions.
The piercing process can often be a daunting experience; we are committed to providing the ultimate luxury service championing the highest standards of quality and safety with support every step of the way, backed by our trusted team with years of knowledge and expertise.
In conversation with our piercers across Australia, we delved into their favourite placements and compositions, piercing jewellery picks and their expert styling tips.
TAYLER, THE STRAND ARCADE
What do you love about piercing and the work that you do?
I love how piercings facilitate all kinds of self-expression. Something as small as a new lobe piercing can make you feel more confident and more like yourself.
What do you love about working with Sarah & Sebastian jewellery?
I love the uniqueness of SARAH & SEBASTIAN’s jewellery. We can style all kinds of amazing curations with such beautiful shapes and stones to match someone’s unique personal style. Crafted from 18-karat gold and platinum, I also love how high quality our pieces are and how safe they are to be in the body.
What is your signature or favourite ear piercing placement/composition?
I love to put piercings in placements that draw your eye to certain parts of the ear. I try to make each curation flow with the ear's shape and look intentional. In this curation, I used pieces that feel ethereal and feminine to me and they lead the eye to the centre of the ear where the Daith ring sits. I always want someone’s ears to reflect their personal style so I enjoy taking the time to carefully plan out a curation that works for their unique anatomy and makes them feel beautiful.
ALANA, THE STRAND ARCADE
What do you love about piercing and the work that you do?
What I love most is the aspect of self-expression piercing offers. It’s a means to alter your body and aesthetic, showcasing your unique personality and creative flair to the world. Jewellery becomes an instant language, allowing you to take pride in your “earth-suit” and invest in yourself through adornment.
What do you love about working with Sarah & Sebastian jewellery?
I love working with SARAH & SEBASTIAN jewellery for several reasons. The timeless and organic design elements create a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing collection. Mapping out curations with specific pieces is a creative process and an art form in itself. Internally Threaded jewellery, a term we use for labret style jewellery, is both safe and durable. Made to look regal, eccentric, or a harmonious blend of both, our Internally Threaded Earrings, a term we use to describe labret jewellery, is safe, secure and durable.
RHYS, PADDINGTON
How long have you been piercing and how did your journey begin?
I have been piercing and continuously learning for a decade. My journey began in 2013, fuelled by a profound fascination with the human body, its limits and its historical evolution,
What do you love about piercing and the work that you do?
I love the dynamic nature of piercing and the work I do. It’s not just about the act of piercing, but also about the opportunity to grow and learn alongside others. Guiding individuals through their unique piercing journeys is a rewarding aspect of my work, and it involves not just technical skill but also a connection with each person’s experience and transformation.
What do you love about working with Sarah & Sebastian jewellery?
What I appreciate in particular is the delicate balance between luxury and simplicity. This unique blend allows the jewellery to possess a timeless quality preserving the “WOW” factor, making each piece a statement in its own right—whether worn individually or as part of a curated ensemble.
What is your signature or favourite ear piercing placement/composition?
I’m a big fan of Daith and conch piercings. These areas provide versatility, where I can express my creativity by working with a diverse range of jewellery sizes and designs.
BRIDIE, PADDINGTON
How long have you been piercing and how did your journey begin?I have been piercing for nearly 2 years beginning my career in early 2022. I have always been interested in aesthetics and played around with my looks whether it was hair, fashion or makeup to find how I wanted to express myself to the world. As I got older, that interest turned me to the world of body modification where I fell in love with the idea of people adorning themselves with art and jewellery to claim their bodies as an extension of themselves, and I knew it was an industry I wanted to be in, motivating me to seek out my apprenticeship.
What do you love about piercing and the work that you do?
I love piercing because it is a way for people to celebrate themselves. Whether it's purely aesthetic, to celebrate an event or for sentimental value, piercings are a way we take autonomy over our bodies, becoming closer to them both through the experience of the actual piercing and the healing journey with that piercing.
What do you like/love about working with the SS jewellery?
Working with Sarah and Sebastian is wonderful because every piece is designed with thought and care, inspired by nature, especially the Australian land we live and work on. These elemental influences flow perfectly with the body and when you leave with a piece from Sarah and Sebastian, you feel like you're leaving with a piece of art. As a professional, it is also so rewarding to know where you work follows the highest standards for hygiene and industry knowledge, getting to learn and grow every day as a piercer is the highlight of my job.
What is your signature or favourite ear piercing placement/composition?
My favourite placement for piercings are upper lobes which are a nice way to add a bit of edge to your ear if you want to get into piercings but are a bit intimated to get into the cartilage or don't want to go for a traditional second lobe placement. I also absolutely love conch piercings, especially in doubles as there are so many different pieces you can use to complement your anatomy, and with it being right in the centre of the ear, I find it often the perfect placement to start or finish a curation as with the perfect piece it ties everything together.
TAYLA, MELBOURNE CITY
How long have you been piercing and how did your journey begin?
I have been piercing since I was 18 years old, fuelled by a passion for body art since I was just 16. As an angsty teenager, I was drawn to the rebellious allure of heavy metal, piercing and tattoos, and wanted to get started in the industry as soon as I could! Now at 26 years old, I’ve accumulated 8 years of experience in the art of piercing, evolving my approach and proficiency over the years. What ignited my passion during my teenage years has transformed into a mature and refined skill set.
What do you love about piercing and the work that you do?
I love my job as a piercing and body artist as it allows me the opportunity to unleash my creativity while working with the intricacies of human anatomy. I find a unique joy in curating piercings that now only showcase artistic flair, but also make my clients feel special and adorned with a touch of sparkle.
What do you love about working with Sarah & Sebastian jewellery?
What I love about working with SARAH & SEBASTIAN jewellery is that the extensive range of designs provides us with the exciting opportunity to curate stunning curations for individuals seeking new piercings. The versatility of the jewellery allows us to offer a personalised experience for our clients.
Do you have a stand out Ear Alchemy journey to share?
I’ve had the privilege of working with clients facing challenges like healing issues or needle phobias, guiding them through their fears and witnessing their transformation. It’s incredibly rewarding, and I’m grateful for the trust my clients place in me. In my years in the piercing industry, I’ve learned that every client has a unique reason for their piercing - be it adding spark to their style, expressing their inner emotions outwardly, creating new memories with friends, or simply seeking excitement during a tough time. As a piercer, my primary focus is to listen to and accommodate my client’s needs, whatever their motivation may be.
What is your signature or favourite ear piercing placement/composition?
One of my many favourite piercings would have to be conch. I love the versatility it offers, allowing for the adornment of unique-shaped pieces or even a hoop once it has fully healed.
BRENTON, MELBOURNE CITY
How long have you been piercing and how did your journey begin?
I’ve been piercing since November 2007, totalling about 15 years of experience. My journey into piercing began at the age of 15 when I visited a piercing and tattoo shop. The piercer who worked on me left a lasting impression with her kindness and cool demeanour, sparking my not-so-subtle addiction to piercings. Inspired by that memorable experience, I persistently pursued a job at the local piercing shop for years. Serendipitously, just after my 18th birthday, while getting pierced, I learned they were looking for an apprentice. It was a right-place-right-time scenario that marked the beginning of my professional piercing journey.
What do you love about piercing and the work that you do?
What I love about piercing and the work I do is the profound level of expression and affirmation it provides. Piercings have the unique power to make individuals feel a sense of body autonomy, allowing them to express themselves in a way that is personal and affirming.
What do you love about working with Sarah & Sebastian jewellery?
I love that working with Sarah & Sebastian jewellery allows me the ability or provide clients with high-quality luxury alloys adorned with responsibility-sourced natural diamonds and gemstones for initial piercings. The fine nature of the jewellery also allows me to explore a diverse range of placements without the concern of it appearing overly bulky.
What is your signature or favourite ear piercing placement/composition?
My favourite piercing to perform is the forward helix, I think they are badass and somewhat underrated. I also love styling stacked lobes to create a super cute and playful aesthetic.
STERLING, BRISBANE CITY
How long have you been piercing and how did your journey begin?
I have been a professional piercer for 14 years. My passion for fine jewellery and watched was deeply influenced by my grandfather, who worked for Citizen, and my grandmother, who possessed numerous heirlooms from her prestigious family in the US.
In my childhood, I faced a challenging turn of events as I developed a neurological condition, rendering me the loss of both of my arms. Spending 4 years in the hospital, I developed a keen interest in the medical processes and sterile practices. After I left the hospital. I struggled with self-confidence and body image. Being drawn to punk and metal music and culture, piercing emerged as a common fashion style.
After my first piercing, I experienced an improvement in how I perceived myself, marking the beginning of a form of bodily reclamation that became a personal obsession. This small change in aesthetics had a profound impact. I feel that body piercing was a natural cumulation of my early interests and experiences in my life.
What do you love about piercing and the work that you do?
What I love about piercing and my work is collaborating with clients to achieve a unique style. The moment of joy on their faces, when they jump from the chair and witness a small change that transforms their entire look, is incredibly rewarding. It’s a shared experience of creative expression and the positive impact on their self-perception that makes my work truly gratifying.
What do you love about working with Sarah & Sebastian jewellery?
What I appreciate about Sarah & Sebastian jewellery is the exceptional craftsmanship, using high-quality gold and responsibly sourced natural diamonds and gemstones. Pieces blend classic designs with unmatched quality, and the unique designs are unparalleled, creating pieces that stand out for their distinctiveness.
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