Banter by Piercing Pagoda Names Tierra Whack as Creative Director
The Grammy-nominated rapper also created a capsule collection alongside designer Malyia McNaughton.
Whack received her first Grammy nomination for her video “Mumbo Jumbo” in 2019 and was named an XXL Freshman as part of a list of the year’s hottest artists compiled by hip hop magazine XXL.
She has been featured on Apple’s “Up Next” program and in Teen Vogue.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Tierra to the Banter family and are energized to share her creative energy and fierce individuality with our customers,” said Kecia Caffie, president of Banter by Piercing Pagoda.
“Bringing Tierra onboard will help amplify our ongoing mission of inclusivity. Like our customers, Tierra is a creative visionary who rejects labels and celebrates her own unique identity.”
Whack, known for her creativity and bold lyricism, is a natural fit as the banner looks to appeal to Gen Z and millennial customers.
It rebranded itself as Banter by Piercing Pagoda in August 2021, having been known as Piercing Pagoda for more than 50 years, shifting its focus to helping customers express their individuality through jewelry and piercings.
“As part of the Signet Jewelers portfolio, the brand caters to the Gen Z and millennial customer who expresses themselves boldly through their personal style. Similar to Whack’s mission, the brand’s goal is inclusivity for all people,” said the company.
Whack’s approach to the newly created role, which she will hold for one year, will be documented through a content series, shared via the banner’s social media.
Banter released the series’ first of five episodes Thursday on its YouTube channel.
Her fans have been a source of inspiration, she said, noting how she and her fan base celebrate creativity.
“I’m thrilled to now turn my attention toward creating jewelry that brings all our shared passions to life.”
Whack also teamed up with jewelry designer Malyia McNaughton of Made by Malyia, a member of the Black in Jewelry Coalition, to create a capsule collection.
The Tierra Whack collection includes one necklace, two bracelets, seven earrings, five charms, and a ring available in every letter of the alphabet.
Whack chose symbols meaningful to her, including wings and music notes.
The pieces, available in 10-karat and plated gold, range in price from $55 to $1,750.
The collection will be available July 12 at Banter locations and on its website.
The Latest
Sponsored by Tasha R
Three Titanic survivors presented him with the personalized Tiffany & Co. timepiece about a year after the tragedy.
Cynthia Erivo chose Dreams of Hope, an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQA+ youth, as the charity for this year’s collection.
From protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
Kinney, who spent nearly 30 years at IJO, has been hired to head Abbott Jewelry Systems’ new virtual marketplace.
The auction house was accused of helping clients avoid paying taxes on millions of dollars’ worth of art purchased from 2010 to 2020.
The four finalists will present their pieces at the 2025 JCK Las Vegas show.
This fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.
The “Camera Oscura” collection showcases earring designs celebrating female Surrealist artists Claude Cahun and Leonor Fini.
The money will fund the planting of 10,000 trees in critical areas across Oregon, Arizona, Montana, and other regions.
The event centered on advancing jewelry manufacturing technology will return to Detroit in May 2025.
Local reports identified the woman as the wife of the jewelry store owner.
A collection of pieces owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family, blew away estimates in Geneva last week.
The Australian jewelry box brand’s new West Village store will showcase new jewelers each month through its Designer in Residence program.
“Lovechild” was created in partnership with Carolyn Rafaelian’s Metal Alchemist brand.
Hampton discussed how Helzberg is improving the customer experience and why it was inspired by the company formerly known as Dunkin’ Donuts.
The group will host several curated events and an exhibition of designer jewelry made with Peruvian gold traceable to the miners’ names.
The collection honors the 50th anniversary of Dolly Parton’s “Love is Like a Butterfly” song, which shares a birth year with Kendra Scott.
This year’s theme asks designers to take inspiration from classic fairy tales.
Senior Editor Lenore Fedow makes the case for why more jewelers should be appealing to nerds at the annual event.
The latest “Raiz’in” drop showcases a newly designed “Scapular” necklace and donates a portion of the proceeds to Make-A-Wish France.
No. 1 out of 100, the timepiece was created to mark Citizen’s 100th anniversary and will be auctioned off at Sotheby’s next month.
On the latest episode of “My Next Question,” two experts share best practices for store security during the holidays and year-round.
Sotheby’s sold the necklace, which potentially has ties to Marie-Antoinette, for $4.8 million to a woman bidding via phone.
Instead of its usual elaborate display, the store will illuminate its façade and frame the windows to highlight its flagship’s architecture.
The new Grand Seiko boutique is located in Honolulu’s Waikiki neighborhood.
Eleven spots are available for travelers to visit Northern Tanzania and Southern Kenya from July 25 to Aug. 4.