The curated ear is a trend with staying power—retailers have shared with JCK that mix and match studs remain a priority category heading into the Las Vegas jewelry shows. And later this month, one leading retailer will lean into the ongoing demand with a brand-new boutique entirely devoted to on-site ear piercing and the art of assembling an ear stack with multiple 14k gold styles.
Called Wildlike, the store is helmed by Alysa Teichman, second-generation co-owner of Ylang 23. It’s set to open in Dallas’ Shops of Highland Dallas on June 28. Think Piercing Pagoda for the young and chic, or Teichman’s vision of a “high-end Drybar for ear piercing.” She’d been chewing on the idea for several years, and during her downtime in the midst of a very wild 2020, she decided it was finally time to give it a shot.
“Experiential retail and ear piercing have long been drivers behind Ylang 23’s success, as well as [my] personal passions,” Teichman said in a statement. “As the retail landscape continues to evolve, I see this focus on experience and service as the future. Piercing is an amazing self-expression tool (I should know since I have 16 on my ears!) and I think this concept will be so well-received in Dallas and beyond.”
Wildlike will carry a house line, plus a selection of curated piercing-specific brands, including ear threads by Maria Tash, BVLA, and Pamela Love as well as studs by Sydney Evan, Jennifer Meyer, and Alison Lou.
The 1,200-square-foot space will include three piercing rooms, a styling bar, and a lounge/waiting area. The store’s opening will be accompanied by the introduction of an online appointment booking portal and an e-commerce platform.
The name Wildlike was developed by A Hundred Monkeys, the Berkeley, Calif.–based branding agency that counts Target, Airbnb, and Google among its clients. It’s meant to represent the broad appeal of piercing, an experience that’s attractive to everyone on the continuum from wild to “like” (defined as someone who might be a little more conservative or “inside the lines”).
Maybe you can be a little of both at the same time? If so, I’ll see you in Dallas!
Top: A selection of earrings from Wildlike’s in-house line in 14k gold with diamonds. All piercing jewelry will be sold as singles.
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