Designer

L. Walker

Creator/Fashion Designer

A third-generation Angeleno of Black and Mexican descent, L. Walker is the creator and chief fashion designer for QJNJERA. Pronounced Ku-chin-je-ra, the word for cleverness in Shona, QJNJERA is a design house that embraces the South Central Los Angeles culture. QJNJERA is for those people who want to be noticed, who like clean but layered designs that are size inclusive and gender-neutral.

L. Walker’s passion for art and creating started when he was three years old. He had his first art exhibit at the age of seven. He continues to paint and create. Some of his favorite artists are Jean Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, and Hiro Suzuhira. L. Walker finds inspiration for his designs in the Abstract, Moe, and Graffiti art styles. In addition to his fashion endeavors, L. Walker is also a musician who sells his music online and can often be found in compilations with other artists in the Ambient Jungle and Mincecore/Goregrind music genres. He is also a budding filmmaker.

QJNJERA’s bright colors and rounded logos all come out of an appreciation of the South Los Angeles culture. L. Walker draws graffiti art that is heavily influenced by Keith Haring and Jean Michel Basquiat with an anime twist. L. Walker’s inspiration also stems from looking at the past fashions of his family members, all of who grew up all over Los Angeles. Influenced by the visual evolution of urban streetwear and hip-hop culture, QJNJERA’s graphic tees feature bold prints, logos, or statements that represent cultural references. Whatever pops into his mind, he pours into his hand-drawn designs.

“Every time American designers are brought up, they say the same four or five names: Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein. They always omit Cross Colours and FUBU, as if these brands weren’t grossing a quarter-billion to over a billion dollars a year. They were never given credit for being as influential as they are.”

KERBY JEAN-RAYMOND, Pyer Moss