Object: Buckle
Date: c. 1986
Medium: Metal
Country: USA
Credit Line: Gift of Elena Romero
Object number: 2021.34.1
DescriptionLarge rectangular brass nameplate belt buckle ELENA
Label Text:Personalization is a key aspect of hip hop style. Systematic oppression seeks to make marginalized young people invisible in American society, and this oppression was even more prevalent during the 1980s and 1990s. Wearing substantial jewelry that literally spells out your name or showcases aspects of your personality, culture, and aspirations is a deliberate way to demand visibility and project your desires. The trend for nameplates on earrings, belt buckles, and rings was picked up by hip hop brands who created their own versions.
In Collection(s)
Exhibitions:
- Fresh, Fly, and Fabulous: Fifty Years of Hip Hop Style