This work emphasizes oversized sculptural jewelry pieces (large bamboo earrings, bold rings, heavy chains with dollar signs, and retro glasses) to highlight how style became a defining form of expression for women during the 1980s. Jewelry in particular symbolized success, confidence, and belonging within the movement.

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Female rap groups like Salt-N-Pepa set trends that redefined what it meant to be an artist, using fashion that included their colorful jackets, gold chains, and bamboo earrings. Their style made room for the woman's voice in hip-hop. My work honors how they helped pave the way for women artists to express themselves without fear. Similarly, large chains and rings worn by rappers reflected a cultural shift: hip-hop was not only a sound but also a visual statement of wealth, pride, and new opportunities within Black communities.

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Hip-hop fashion also transcended boundaries, bringing together diverse groups from Black communities to groups like the Beastie Boys through a shared language of style. The retro glasses I created metaphorically speak to “looking through the lights” of the era to see the bigger picture: hip-hop is more than jewelry, money, and success. It is a global, inclusive movement that continues to shape culture today.

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