The Nameplate Jewelry, Culture, and Identity

A vibrant photographic celebration of nameplate jewelry featuring deeply personal stories and rich cultural contexts, collected by the creators of the Documenting the Nameplate project.

“Names don’t just tell stories. They are stories.”—Rawiya Kameir

Nameplate jewelry comes in many shapes, styles, and sizes—from simple scripted pendants to bejeweled rings, belts, and bracelets with a first, last, and/or nickname. Like so many individuals who proudly wear nameplates, Marcel Rosa-Salas and Isabel Attyah Flower were first introduced to this storied jewelry during childhood. Their love of the style gradually blossomed into a wide-reaching research project, Documenting the Nameplate, through which they’ve spent years collecting photographs and testimonials from nameplate-wearers across the country and world.
 
Featuring essays and interviews from scholars and cultural figures, portraits by contemporary photographers, archival imagery, and a historical exploration into the multifaceted and often overlooked significance of nameplate jewelry, The Nameplate is a tribute to the people who make, wear, and cherish it.

Marcel Rosa-Salas is a cultural anthropologist, scholar, and documentarian from Brooklyn, New York. She is the co-host of the Top Rank podcast and co-founder of Documenting the Nameplate.

Isabel Attyah Flower is a New York City-based editor and writer. She is the editor of Deem Journal, editorial director of Foundwork, co-host of the Top Rank podcast, and co-founder of Documenting the Nameplate.