Earring thumbnail 1
Earring thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Earring

1995 (made), 1981 (designed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

In 1981 Mortisha launched her label 'BEASTS, a legend in clothing for the living dead' and sold her macabre clothing and accessories in The Flea Market, Carnaby Street, before moving to The Great Frog, and later to premises in Camden Lock. Mortisha designed and made, among other items, black clothing, coffin bags and spider and bone necklaces for a Goth clientele. These earrings are a remake of one of her most popular designs. Mortisha also designed and made costumes for a range of performers, including Hot Gossip and Siouxsie Sioux and the Banshees.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Earring
  • Earring
Materials and techniques
Glass beads, jet, metal, moulded plastic
Brief description
Pair of earrings, red glass beads, jet, plastic flies, Carole Mortisha Ascoli, 1995 remake of 1981 design
Physical description
Pair of Goth-style earrings. Each has ten red glass beads threaded onto metal wire, which in turn is threaded through a black plastic wingless fly. There is a polygonal black bead located in front of each fly's face. A wedge-shaped jet pendant is suspended from beneath the fly's abdomen on a triangular hoop. There is a small metal ball mounted on the hook of each earring.
Dimensions
  • Length: 8.5cm (maximum, same for both)
  • Legs of fly width: 1.7cm (same for both)
Production typeLimited edition
Credit line
Given by Mortisha
Object history
Examples of these earrings were sold in the V&A shop during the Street Style exhibition (1994)
Subject depicted
Summary
In 1981 Mortisha launched her label 'BEASTS, a legend in clothing for the living dead' and sold her macabre clothing and accessories in The Flea Market, Carnaby Street, before moving to The Great Frog, and later to premises in Camden Lock. Mortisha designed and made, among other items, black clothing, coffin bags and spider and bone necklaces for a Goth clientele. These earrings are a remake of one of her most popular designs. Mortisha also designed and made costumes for a range of performers, including Hot Gossip and Siouxsie Sioux and the Banshees.
Collection
Accession number
T.54:1, 2-2014

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Record createdMarch 20, 2014
Record URL
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