Cassi Lopez
Photo Credit: Kevin Ramones @whoworksanymore
City of Women Denizen: Cassi Lopez
Bona Fides: Master body piercer: for more than 17 years, Cassi has created stylish, unique looks for her clients. She’s now the sole proprietor of Brooklyn’s luxury piercing studio, So Gold Studios, and a bright soul whose wisdom goes far beyond her years.
City of Women Induction: Cassi's consultative and collaborative approach to piercing has gained her a loyal following - including me - of clients who rely on her talents to create artful body adornments. She’s got an eye for what works best on different bodies but she’s thoughtful in her approach, making sure she takes the time to discuss what her clients want and what they already have before any new ornamentation is added.
RPO: Do piercings follow trends the way clothes, accessories, and hairstyles do? At So Gold Studios, what are you seeing a lot of right now, both in terms of locations of piercings on the body and styles of body jewelry?
CL: They certainly do! Much like fashion, the trends come and go constantly but usually manifest in the form of piercing placement. For a while, thinner, more dainty jewelry was a big thing in piercings. Right now I’m noticing a shift to a heavier look: larger pieces and multiple piercings, of which I’m a big fan!
.RPO: When did you know you wanted to be a body piercing artist?
CL: I got my first job at a tattoo shop when I was still in high school… I was 17 and by that time, had been getting pierced for years. It just always felt like a natural environment for me to be in.
RPO: I’ve always considered you to be an excellent curator of body jewelry. You have a talent for knowing right away what pieces will look best, and where to place them on the body. How do you account for your sharp eye?
CL: It kind of just happens, honestly, like a natural flow. I usually chat clients up and during conversation, I get more of a feel for their personal style and overall aesthetic. From there, I make placement choices based on their anatomy and the other piercings they might have.
RPO: You are an extraordinary courageous and strong woman, having beaten a brain illness and undergoing multiple complex surgeries. What has the experience of "coming back to life" taught you?
CL: So I have an illness called pseudotumor cerebri, also known as idiopathic intracranial hypertension. So basically, my brain THINKS I have a tumor; therefore, I have all the symptoms of someone who does but without the physical tumor. There’s been a lot of back and forth with doctors over the years and a lot of confusion regarding my health. It wasn’t until I started seeing doctors in Manhattan that I started to get a more precise answer as to what was really going on with my brain. I’ll tell you though, if there’s anything that all of these brain surgeries have taught me, it’s to always be prepared for the worst. It may sound dark, but it’s been a helpful tool in my life since being in “remission” from my illness. At the moment, I’m happy and healthy and feeling better than I have in a long time.
RPO: When you are not piercing, what are your other creative outlets?
CL: I love to cook, sew and recently have discovered an extreme love for yoga. During quarantine I had to find a way to ease my body and my mind. I was super anxious about COVID-19, and doing yoga daily helped me SO much. Now I’m hooked.
RPO: Do you have any idea about the history of piercing (i.e. have people adorned themselves with body jewelry for thousands of years?)
CL: There’s so much history behind piercing, some of which incorporate religious practices and sacred rituals… the list goes on and on.
RPO: What’s your best piercing story?
CL: I had a woman come to me for a genital piercing after a traumatic experience… it was her way of reclaiming her body. She cried tears of joy post-piercing and we hugged for a solid 10 minutes. Moments like that make me realize how important piercings are. They might seem so simple but to some people, they can be so meaningful. Even post-COVID, I’ve had people come and get pierced because they say they “just want to feel something.” In times when life seems so out of control and chaotic, a piercing can help remind you that you’re alive.
RPO: Last words: advice for women who dream of starting a business?
CL: Don’t let anyone make you feel like you’re not capable of doing it. EVER.