When door-knocker earrings first hit the New York hip hop scene in the 1980s, they represented the glamor and confidence of the independent black woman. Worn by stars like SWV, Salt n Pepa and Mary J Blige, today they’re worn by everyone, including Nicki Minaj and FKA Twigs. Brooklyn artist LaKela Brown takes the earrings to the next level in her new solo show opening at Lars Friedrich in Berlin this week by immortalizing them like archaeological artefacts. The artist has imprinted door-knocker hoop earrings and blinged-out necklaces into concrete wall works. She isn’t alone, though. This bling has inspired looks for Givenchy’s Riccardo Tisci and Marc Jacbos, who said door-knocker earrings “are from a generation that will forever be the foundation of youth culture street style.” Now that’s forever.
Text by Nadja Sayej
photos via instagram,lakelabrown
