Remember earlier this month when Lenny Kravitz shocked Swedish concert-goers when his pants ripped (and he had gone commando!) Everything was on display. Marie Bargas turns to the trend of body jewelry and what piercing can (and cannot do) for you! While we are not recommending the same piercing that Kravitz had — mostly because few can afford that gemstone to add to their “family jewels”, Marie Bargas interviewed a top piercing expert here in Los Angeles on hot trends in jewelry piercings!
Designer Body Jewelry: Fashion’s Response to #penisgate
by Marie Bargas:
Long before Lenny Kravitz’ accidentally exposed pierced penis exploded unexpectedly out of his pants to the shock and delight of his fans at a recent concert in Europe, which by the way attracted the attention of Steven Tyler who tweeted his disappointment at not knowing Lenny’s secret, ” He revealed to Elle in 2011 that he got his “pubic piercing” because he wanted it. (Do you, Lenny.) Also, his mother left him a diamond and he thought, What better place to put the family jewels than by the family jewels?”
Lenny Kravitz
As photographs of his … um … member are scrutinized by his peers, the press and the public … one cannot help but wonder if this will spur on the trend toward piercings made out of precious stones and metals to the heights of perhaps a fashion editorial in Vogue or a least a trend piece in style.com. Lenny has been known to be at the height of fashion and far ahead of the curve since the 1990’s.
Here in Los Angeles some of the winners of CBS Local’s Top Piercing Shops already carry a selection of luxe piercings that are ready to answer a projected demand. In the wake of #penisgate, piercer Saint James Rajewski from Rajewski’s home base at Los Angeles Body Jewelry and Studio City Tattoo had some very stylish suggestions for LA-Story.com’s piercing fans who are on trend.
Saint James Rajewski
LA-Story: When did you first notice that your customers wanted piercings made out of precious stones and precious metals?
Saint James:
There have always been clients that wanted finer metals and stones in their body jewelry, at least as far as I have observed in my near 20-year professional career. Sadly they weren’t as easily accessible back in the 90’s and early 2000’s. I did see a jump in the demand for better stones and metals around a decade ago as it’s first noticeable increase. As people saw the apparent increase in the options for body jewelry, the demand continued to grow. Most prominently in the past 2-3 years it has skyrocketed in the piercing and body jewelry market. We went from stocking mostly stainless steel and titanium to our main seller being solid 14 and 18 kt yellow or rose gold, adorned with intricate details and innovative designs, all while accented with genuine diamonds, garnets, emeralds, or varying natural materials such as semi precious stone, bone, horn, exotic woods etc. It is an ever evolving industry.
BVLA
LA-Story: Who are your favorite body jewelry designers and why?
Saint James:
That’s a tough one to give a concise answer on.. There are so many amazing jewelry companies out there these days. They have varying focuses on the style of jewelry, materials etc. So regarding the current topic I would have to certainly say BVLA (Body Vision Los Angeles) is one of my absolute favorites as far as unique design with all prior stated higher end metals and gems. They are the top of the food chain when it comes to golds, platinums, etc and precious stones like diamonds or rubies and such. Anatometal is another favorite as such a well rounded company that carries all of our basic steel and titanium, yet also a wide variety in gold, diamonds and unique design. For post-healed jewelry and innovative design, I would have to say that Tawapa, Diablo Organics and Maya Jewelry are some of my other favorites. This list of my choice companies is certainly more extensive than I’ve stated here though…
Maya Jewelry
LA-Story: What is the most popular style of penis piercing jewelry in your shop right now?
Saint James:
There are many varying different penis piercings one could get, and that would necessitate different jewelry per piercing location. Overall the Prince Albert or the frenum are the most popular male genital piercings. The prince albert we usually offer a captive bead ring (which can be of any varying metal ie.. gold, steel, etc and can be adorned with any sort gem or stone bead) the frenum we offer straight barbells (again by metal of choice and one can also adorn the two end beads with any varying gem or stone as well) we enjoy catering to you have as many options to customize as possible.
LA-Story: Who are your top 3 celebrity piercing clients and what styles of designer body jewelry do they prefer?
Saint James:
I have had a heavy handful of celebrity clients though the years. I will go with some of my personal faves, or current ones:
–Tori Spelling is a great client and she certainly always leans towards the more ornate gold designs.. diamonds only of course 🙂
–The entire Cyrus family are regulars here as well. Tish seems to be geared towards the unique styles that still hold and essence of simplicity to them while Noah is wanting whatever may be cutting edge at that time.
–Chloe Grace Moretz is also a client in here. She seems to lean towards simple yet edgy also. Doesn’t have to be gold or diamonds as long as its aesthetically pleasing.
Anatometal
LA-Story: What do you think will be the most popular designer piece of body jewelry in 2015?
Saint James:
I think that there certainly won’t be just one. Too many piercing locations and options to reduce it to just that. I know that septum piercings are at the top of the cool piercing list right now and have so much room for unique expression in the design.
LA-Story: Do you have a message that you would like to share with Lenny Kravitz?
Saint James:
Lenny, keep up the good work at always being at the forefront of current trends and thank you for promoting quality piercings and quality jewelry for my industry!! Whether you intended to or not. Oh and we pretty much have the largest and finest selection of body jewelry in LA.. if you’re in the market for anything new 😉
Who is Saint James Rajewski?
My name is Saint James Rajewski, I am a 20 body piercing/modification veteran and an educator in all facets. I have pierced and instructed in 49 states and a small handful of varying other countries. My main drive in my work is to aid in one’s unique self expression and to comfort them during a vulnerable moment while going through their rite of passage. I am a facilitator of positive energy and intention via body alterations and adornments. Helping you adorn your temple and to realize what a temple it is. I’m also an internationally recognized performance artist in such acts as human suspension and other varying acts that show human transcendence.
by Marie Bargas
Reach Marie Bargas via her social links:
Website: http://thehollywoodwitch.com/
Twitter: @ahollywoodwitch reporting for LA Story.
She also does readings at The Mystic Journey Bookstore, Venice, CA.
We would like to thank Saint James for giving Marie Bargas the interview!
Our appreciation to Marie Bargas for snagging the story!
Of course this story wouldn’t have been half so relevant had it not been for Lenny Kravitz!!
Stevie Wilson,
LA-Story.com
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This is a trend that will not stop any time soon. Tasteful works anywhere if it is not too over done.