WELLINGTON’S long-trusted piercing shop Flesh Wound will close its doors next week.
Owner Hamish Halley, who has about 23 piercings of his own, is shutting up shop after 14 years of trading to seek a different kind of life in Northland.
“I’m after a change of lifestyle more than anything else. Up north the climate is warmer and I’ll be able to get outside and do a bit of sculpting and some farming.”
Halley says the market he has always catered to is changing.
“I got into piercing because I was intrigued with older cultures. But it’s been bombarded with young kids trying to outdo their friends, stretching [their ears] with a ‘my hole’s bigger than yours’ attitude - size queens trying to outdo their neighbours. It’s a bit of a sheep effect, they want to look different and then they all end up looking the same.”
Competition from Trade Me and other piercing practices has made it harder for Halley to make ends meet in recent years.
“Lots of little places are undercutting on hygiene and standards, but young kids just want prices. There’s more horrible little loogies out there now than before, but they all poke holes in themselves and put it on YouTube.”
There’s only one place Hamish trusts to do as good a job as Flesh Wound.
“Go see Scott at Ninja Flower on Willis Street, I wouldn’t go anywhere else.”
And if you find yourself in an unfamiliar piercing studio, ask questions.
“Hygiene’s the main one. Ask if they change gloves, if the jewellery is sterile, what cleaning products they use.”
And if they intend to use a gun, get out of there.
“Using a gun for any piercing is bad.”
For those who just don’t trust anyone else as much as Hamish, it’s not all bad news.
“I’m going to set up a mobile studio over the summer, maybe in an old ambulance, and then head round the east and west coasts in Northland.”
Say goodbye to Hamish and nab yourself discounted piercing goods at Flesh Wound before it closes on December 23.