Earring Display

The iconic bamboo “door knocker” earring became popular in the U.S. during the mid to late 1980s, worn predominantly by women of color and most notably by female American hip-hop stars like Salt-n-Peppa and MC Lyte.

Slowly, the accessory became a symbol of black and Latino culture, and in turn, were deemed “gaudy” or “ghetto” by mainstream standards. You can still find bamboo hoops in an assortment of shapes and designs in beauty supply stores for less than $15.

Earring Display examines a facet of Black/Brown girl culture and
positions it in a style akin to what one might see in a Tiffany & Co. window display.