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Following the 20-year cycle, tooth gems that were popularized in the 90s and 2000s have made a comeback in recent years. Celebrities like Dua Lipa and Katy Perry can be seen sporting dental embellishments despite being called out by social activists as a form of cultural appropriation due to their historical context. The tradition of wearing gems on teeth has deep roots in Latinx culture, with its earliest documented instances dating back to the Mayan Empire when Kings and Queens adorned their teeth with jade as a symbol of greater wealth and opulence asserting their role as rulers who were responsible for life-giving rains, fertile crops and ensuring their people were fed and prosperous.
Today, tooth gems have become a celebrated form of status and self-expression. Here at home, you can get blinged out at a private studio called Paradise Tender. New Delhi-based artist Shreya Josh started giving hand poke tattoos in 2017. With her hand-poked tattoo kits and workshops, Shreya has already shared her passion and knowledge with over 300 creative individuals across India, empowering them to create their own handpoked tattoos. Expanding her repertoire, she introduced UV ink tattoos and now tooth gems to offer diverse avenues for artistic expression. Carrying the best quality crystals and 18k gold charms from UK & Australia, Shreya travels all over India providing safe & hygienic tooth gem experiences.
For Shreya, body art has been a transformative journey of self-acceptance and empowerment. Having experienced insecurities about her own appearance, she found solace and strength through tattoos, which allowed her to reclaim her skin and embrace her body as a canvas for creativity. Inspired by her personal journey, she endeavours to help others liberate themselves from societal beauty standards and celebrate their unique features through body art.
Through Paradise Tender, Shreya strives to inspire a sense of freedom in self-expression, enabling individuals to embrace their bodies and adorn them in ways that reflect their unique personalities. In a society increasingly fueled by the desire for individuality, Shreya's work in tooth gems and handpoked tattoos resonates deeply, providing people with the opportunity to explore their creativity and craft personal narratives.
Follow Shreya here.
