Christian Verrette – Owner of Pése Noir

Pése Noir is Atlanta’s first-to-market luxury body art retail experience, centered around exquisite body jewelry and premier piercing services. Founded by Christian Verrette in 2021, Pése Noir combines technical expertise with artistry to deliver personalized, eye-catching jewelry that lasts a lifetime. Christian saw a unique opportunity for a high-end piercing studio offering late-night service, utilizing his background in fashion and body art to create curated experiences tailored to each client's style, personality, and anatomy.

What inspired you to get into the piercing industry?
I didn’t start with inspiration - I more or less fell into it. When I first moved to Atlanta, I spent a lot of time at a tattoo shop where my first friends here worked. They eventually said I had to do something useful around the shop. Tattooing didn’t feel like the right fit for me, so I tried piercing, and I’ve been at it ever since.

What kind of skills are needed to be successful in this industry?
A successful piercer needs attention to detail, strong customer service skills, a commitment to continuous learning, and patience. This craft doesn’t develop overnight; it requires dedication and practice.

What other career aspects exist in the industry?
On the service side, the industry offers a few paths, like styling and education. However, the product side is incredibly broad. Jewelry design, custom display creation, photography, and videography all offer specialized roles within body jewelry. In fields like dermatology or biochemistry, there’s ongoing research into healing processes and material interactions. Even in manufacturing, there’s room for innovation with tools designed specifically for piercing. The possibilities are vast.

Why has piercing become such a phenomenon?
Piercing is nothing new; earlobe and nostril piercings have deep roots across cultures worldwide. However, alternative placements - like lip, navel, and nipple piercings - became more mainstream in the 90s, thanks to icons like Britney Spears. As pop culture embraced these styles, so did the public, expanding piercing’s popularity beyond traditional placements. Fun fact: The oldest known mummy had multiple ear piercings, proving this trend is far from modern.

Where would you like to see your career in the next five years?
My focus is on education, styling, and expanding our fine jewelry selection. I envision Pése Noir as a recognized leader in jewelry curation and body art. My goal is for Pése Noir to be the go-to name for fine jewelry, personalized styling, and body piercings. In five years, I hope to be known as the industry leader in this niche, with multiple locations recognized for our quality and expertise.