MajorsAug 04, 2021
Piercing Pagoda Has a New NameMajorsJun 03, 2022
Banter by Piercing Pagoda Names Tierra Whack as Creative Director
The Grammy-nominated rapper also created a capsule collection alongside designer Malyia McNaughton.
Banter by Piercing Pagoda has named rapper Tierra Whack as its first creative director.
Dallas—Banter by Piercing Pagoda has named Grammy-nominated rapper, songwriter, and artist Tierra Whack as its first creative director.
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.
Related stories will be right here …
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.”
Tierra Whack, the new creative director for Banter by Piercing Pagoda, will launch her own capsule collection in July.
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.
“I’m excited to be the first-ever creative director for Banter by Piercing Pagoda and give a unique spin on what jewelry means to me,” said Whack.
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.
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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Majors
The Latest
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
WatchesOct 15, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb’s New Movado Watches Are Made for Your Wrist StackMovado teamed up with the New York-based fine jewelry designer on a new collection of Movado Museum Velura watches.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
SourcingOct 15, 2026
Signet Jewelers, Richemont May Join Bidder for De Beers, Report SaysThe two companies are reportedly in talks to join the Global Diamond Consortium, led by former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny, as per Bloomberg.
Weekly QuizOct 15, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsOct 15, 2026
Wolf x Marla Aaron's New Jewelry Box Is for Some (Not All) of Your ThingsThe “Some of the Things” box follows the two larger “Everything” box designs with the look and function of antique sewing and toolboxes.
IndependentsOct 14, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Coleman and Mitchell ClarkFourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
SourcingOct 14, 2026
Manuel Marcial de Gomar, ‘The Emerald Whisperer,’ Dies at 90The gem hunter, whose 70-year career was defined by adventure and exploration, is remembered for his steadfast faith and sense of wonder.
FinancialsOct 14, 2026
LVMH’s Jewelry Brands Turn in ‘Very Good’ Performance in Q3 Tiffany & Co. continued its full-scale store renovation project while Bulgari’s high jewelry collection generated “record-breaking revenue.”
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2026
Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference Releases 2026 ProgramThis year’s sessions feature leading voices from human rights, legal, and conservation organizations.
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection WholesaleThe jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Sean DunnDunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.
AuctionsOct 13, 2026
Christie's Geneva To Auction 'Bulgari Pink' DiamondThe 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers’ New Candle Smells Like HomeThe “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
TechnologyOct 13, 2026
GemFind Is a New JA Member Benefit Partner The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
AuctionsOct 09, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Goes Unsold at UK Jewelry Auction The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
SourcingOct 08, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to BrooklynThe trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.
Events & AwardsOct 08, 2026
Pattons Fine Jewelry Sweeps Local Design ContestAra Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.
AuctionsOct 08, 2026
Reba McEntire’s Jewelry, Watches Head to Julien’s AuctionsThe live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.
Supplier BulletinOct 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Helps Jewelers Turn Custom Design into a Hands-On Selling ExperienceSponsored by Overnight Mountings
Policies & IssuesOct 07, 2026
The Plumb Club Amplifies Its Voice as Geopolitical Pressures MountThe supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.
