Maria Tash

Last updated
Maria Tash
Maria Tash
FormerlyVenus Body Arts
Company type Private
Industry
Founded1993;31 years ago (1993) in East Village, Manhattan, New York
FounderMaria Tashjian
Headquarters
New York
,
United States of America
Number of locations
  • 7 concessions
  • 5 freestanding
[1]  (2022)
Area served
Products
OwnerMaria Tashjian
Number of employees
~200 (2019)
Subsidiaries
  • Maria Tash Financial Group Inc.
  • Maria Tash Limited (U.K)
  • Maria Tash Ireland Limited
  • Maria Tash S.r.l. (Italy)
  • Maria Tash Middle East Jewellery Trading LLC (U.A.E.)
Website mariatash.com

Maria Tash (born Maria Tashjian in West Islip, New York) is a jewelry designer and retailer. Tash founded the eponymous Maria Tash, a New York-based luxury piercing and fine jewelry brand. [2] The brand specializes in body piercing, ear curation, [3] and fine jewelry design. Originally founded in New York City in 1993, Maria Tash has since expanded globally. [4]

Contents

Tash's work, under her eponymous brand, has combined elements of mainstream piercing culture with fine jewelry, coining the term “Curated Ear” [5] to refer to an ear pierced with fashionable intention and under the direction of piercing experts. [3]

Early years and education

Originally from West Islip, New York and raised in New York City, [6] Maria Tash (birth name Maria Tashjian) attended Columbia University [7] and the Fashion Institute of Technology. [8] She also attended King's College in London, England. [8]

Career

Tash opened her first studio, Venus Modern Body Art, in 1993 [7] [8] [9] in Manhattan's East Village, specializing in navel piercings and jewelry. Venus Body Arts [9] later became Venus by Maria Tash [10] until eventually Tash decided to use her own name for the shop. While first specializing in navel jewelry, [11] the shop later become known for a variety of ear piercing styles. [12] [6]

Tash launched a line of international stores with its flagship location opening in New York City in 2004. [8] In 2016, the brand began expanding globally with the opening of a shop at Liberty London. [13] Maria Tash has since opened permanent locations in Rome, [14] Dublin, [15] Harrods London, [16] and Dubai. [17] [18]

In November 2018 she opened her second freestanding location outside New York City with a 2,000 sq. ft luxury boutique in The Dubai Mall. [19] [20]

In 2020 during the Corona-Pandemic, Maria Tash began to offer complimentary virtual appointments through FaceTime and Google Hangouts in English, Spanish, French, Italian and Arabic. [21]

Design and cultural impact

Tash modified several industry standard methods of assembling jewelry to create pieces that better fit the wearer. [3] These include a “threaded” style earring backing and "invisible set" diamonds, which are notched and set below the crown. [22] Tash's designs are often smaller and more subtle than the traditional punk-style heavy piercings that were popular in the early 1990s, [23] when Tash began piercing. [8]

Her designs have been worn by Hailey Bieber, Rihanna, Ashley Graham, Queen Rania and Maritta Hallani. [20]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Islip, New York</span> Hamlet and census-designated place in New York, United States

West Islip is a hamlet and CDP founded in 1683, located in the Town of Islip, in Suffolk County, New York, United States. Situated on the South Shore of Long Island, the population of the CDP was 27,048 at the time of the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Navel piercing</span> Type of piercing located in, or around, the navel

A navel piercing is a type of piercing that penetrates the skin of the navel. It is most commonly located on the upper fold of skin but can also be affected underneath or around the edges of the navel. Healing usually takes around 6–12 months but varies person-to-person due to differences in physiology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clitoral hood piercing</span> Type of body piercing

A clitoral hood piercing is a female genital piercing through the clitoral hood surrounding the clitoris. In addition to being an adornment, a clitoral hood piercing can enhance sexual pleasure during masturbation, foreplay and intercourse. In an empirical study at the University of South Alabama, the authors reported a positive relationship between vertical clitoral hood piercings and desire, frequency of intercourse, and sexual arousal. There are two main types of clitoral hood piercing: the vertical clitoral hood (VCH) piercing and the horizontal clitoral hood (HCH) piercing. As the names indicate, the difference is in the direction the piercing is oriented in the skin above the clitoris. Neither of these piercings penetrates the clitoris itself, although in common parlance they are sometimes called "clit" piercings. The deep hood piercing is a variation of the clitoral hood piercing that passes deeper through the clitoral hood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Earring</span> Type of jewelry and body piercing

An earring is a piece of jewelry attached to the ear via a piercing in the earlobe or another external part of the ear, or, less often, by some other means. Earrings have been worn in diverse civilizations and historic periods, often carrying a cultural significance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Genital piercing</span> Form of body piercing on a part of the genitalia

Genital piercing is a form of body piercing that involves piercing a part of the genitalia, thus creating a suitable place for wearing different types of jewellery. Nevertheless, the term may also be used pars pro toto to indicate all body piercings in the area of the anus, perineum, penis, scrotum, and vulva, including piercings such as anal, guiche, and pubic that do not involve perforation of genitalia. Genital piercings can be done regardless of sex, with various forms of piercings available. The main motive is beautification and individualization; in addition, some piercings enhance sexual pleasure by increasing stimulation. Pre-modern genital piercings is most culturally widespread in Southeast Asia, where it has been part of traditional practice since ancient times. Records of genital piercing are found in the Kama Sutra.

Claire's is an American retailer of accessories, jewelry, and toys primarily aimed toward tween and teen girls. It was founded in 1961 and is based in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. The company is primarily owned by Elliott Management and Monarch Alternative Capital, but, in 2022, announced plans to go public with an initial public offering.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nipple piercing</span> Body piercing, centered usually at the base of the nipple

A nipple piercing is a type of body piercing, centered usually at the base of the nipple. It can be pierced at any angle but is usually done horizontally or, less often, vertically. It is also possible to place multiple piercings on top of one another.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christina piercing</span> Female genital piercing

A Christina piercing, also known as a Venus piercing, is a female genital piercing. It is located where the outer labia meet, below the pubic mound. The Christina piercing is anatomy dependent; it has a high rejection rate, and is not possible for all women due to anatomical variation. If the flesh above the clitoris where the outer labia meet is fleshy enough to pinch, a Christina piercing may be successful. If the flesh in this area is too tight to pinch, a Christina piercing is contraindicated. The piercing does not facilitate sexual stimulation and can be found uncomfortable when pressure is applied. It is usually pierced with either a custom-made curved barbell or surface bar to reduce the risk of rejection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ear piercing instrument</span>

An ear-piercing instrument is a device designed to pierce earlobes by driving a pointed starter stud through the lobe. Piercing guns are typically used for ear piercing in mall jewelry shops, beauty salons, pharmacies, and doctors' offices.

Stretching, in the context of body piercing, is the deliberate expansion of a healed piercing for the purpose of wearing certain types of jewelry. Ear piercings are the most commonly stretched piercings, with nasal septum piercings, tongue piercings and lip piercings/lip plates following close behind. While all piercings can be stretched to some degree, cartilage piercings are usually more difficult to stretch and more likely to form hypertrophic scars if stretched quickly. Dermal punching is generally the preferred method for accommodating larger jewelry in cartilage piercings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piercing migration</span> Process when a body piercing moves from its initial location

Piercing migration is the process that occurs when a body piercing moves from its initial location. This process can be painful or go unnoticed, until it has progressed. Given enough time, a ring may migrate entirely outside of the skin, although it may only migrate a small amount and come to rest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belly chain</span> Body jewelry worn around the waist

A belly chain or waist chain is the popular English term for the Indian jewelry called kamarband. The belly chain is a type of body jewelry worn around the waist. Some belly chains attach to a navel piercing; these are also called "pierced belly chains". They are often made of silver or gold. Sometimes a thread is used around the waist instead of a chain. The chain may be delicate and thin, or heavy and thick.

Joan Hornig is an American jewelry designer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Body piercing</span> Form of body modification

Body piercing, which is a form of body modification, is the practice of puncturing or cutting a part of the human body, creating an opening in which jewellery may be worn, or where an implant could be inserted. The word piercing can refer to the act or practice of body piercing, or to an opening in the body created by this act or practice. It can also, by metonymy, refer to the resulting decoration, or to the decorative jewelry used. Piercing implants alter the body and/or skin profile and appearance. Although the history of body piercing is obscured by popular misinformation and by a lack of scholarly reference, ample evidence exists to document that it has been practiced in various forms by both sexes since ancient times throughout the world. Body piercing can be performed on people of all ages, although most minors are only permitted to have earlobe piercings.

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References

  1. "Store List".
  2. "About the Designer | Discover Maria Tash". Maria Tash. Archived from the original on 2019-10-03. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
  3. 1 2 3 Kale, Sirin (2019-07-03). "The curated ear: why delicate, decorative piercings are the new tattoos". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2019-10-03.
  4. McCall, Tyler (May 2018). "How Maria Tash Went From Piercing Her Friends' Ears at Home to Launching a Global Jewelry Line". Fashionista. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
  5. OConnell, Edaein (6 September 2019). "#CuratedEar: What it is and where you can get one". IMAGE.ie. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
  6. 1 2 Caroline, Hamelle (September 2019). "Des petits trous, des petits trous...". Grazia France. 508: 50–51.
  7. 1 2 Angrilli, Linda; Matthew Nadelhaft (2004). "Piercing Analysis". FIT Network Magazine
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 QAPP. "15th QAPP (The Association of Professional Piercers) Annual Conference & Exposition Handbook" (PDF). QAPP. p. 34. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 August 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  9. 1 2 "Body Piercer to Christina Aguilera Comes to Avenue A". localeastvillage.com. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
  10. Staff, Racked (2013-02-05). "Noho Piercing Shop Venus by Maria Tash, Sketched". Racked NY. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
  11. Top Fastening Navel Jewelry Technique, 30 November 2018, retrieved 2019-10-03
  12. "The piercing trend gets an upmarket makeover: how Maria Tash made the 'curated ear' a style essential". Independent.ie. 3 August 2019. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
  13. "Celebrity piercer Maria Tash opens permanent London shop at Liberty". Evening Standard. 2016-08-08. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
  14. "Come si portano i piercing d'estate: i consigli dell'esperta". Glamour.it (in Italian). 2018-06-14. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
  15. ODonoghue, Niamh (6 September 2018). "A permanent Maria Tash pop-up is coming to Brown Thomas this October". IMAGE.ie. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
  16. Ma, Fiona (2018-08-06). "Piercing Princess Maria Tash Joins Harrods' Fashion Lab with New Boutique". WWD. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
  17. "This Celebrity-Beloved Jeweler is Opening up a Dubai Boutique". Vogue Arabia. 2018-11-05. Retrieved 2019-03-15.
  18. "مصممة الأقراط المتعددة المفضلة لدى الملكة رانيا تفتتح بوتيكها في دبي مول!". Gheir. 11 April 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  19. "Celebrity-approved piercer Maria Tash to open boutique in Kuwait". Arab News. 2020-02-05. Retrieved 2020-05-11.
  20. 1 2 "Exclusive: Celebrity-Loved Jeweler Maria Tash to Open a Boutique in Kuwait". Vogue Arabia. 2020-01-30. Retrieved 2020-05-11.
  21. Sidell, Misty White (2020-04-24). "Maria Tash Offers Virtual Piercing Checkups During Lockdown". WWD. Retrieved 2020-05-11.
  22. "Pierced to Perfection: An Interview with Maria Tash". About Her. 2019-07-29. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
  23. Punk : a directory of modern subversive culture. Bradshaw, James. [U.K.]: Holloway Contemporary Art. 2007. ISBN   978-1430321545. OCLC   713202876.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)