A BODY piercing studio is branching out into selling clothing. ‘I thought there was a gap in the market,’ said Louise Bott, who opened the Ashanti studio in Lower Vauvert with her partner, Dave Marley, four years ago.

‘All there is in Guernsey is high street fashion and some surf or skate brands. Young people these days want to create their own impression and aren’t following fashion as much.’

The shop, which caters for men and women, stocks a range of hoodies, T-shirts, vest tops, cardigans, handbags and belts.

The street and urban style labels include Flaming Star, Liquor Brand, Punky Fish and Stars and Straps, which is owned by Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker.

‘Whenever we went to tattoo conventions in the UK, we saw clothes we couldn’t buy over here,’ said Miss Bott.

‘So we called some wholesalers and then started going to big trades fairs. We started in November and it’s gone really well, mainly through word of mouth.’

The company is also selling a new range of jewellery, including Fiona & Luke necklaces and bracelets and body jewellery by Wild Cat, Cold Steel and Body Shock.

Miss Bott said they were continuing the piercing side of the business. It is run by Mr Marley, who has more than 12 years’ experience.

‘We’re the only established company in Guernsey doing piercing at the moment,’ she said.

‘Piercing is even more popular than when we started, which really surprised us.

‘We thought it might die down after a couple of years, but people in Guernsey are quite extreme – they really get into things.’