“She believed in her own magic, and then she became.” - April Walker

 

    

Brooklyn claimed April early on, starting her journey in the vibrant neighborhood of Bed-Stuy. Born into a family deeply rooted in music, with a grandfather affiliated with the legendary group, The Treniers, and a father immersed in the music scene, New York City became the backdrop for her upbringing.

The artistic fervor of '70s and '80s New York, characterized by raw, gritty, and unfiltered self-expression, seeped into her DNA. Growing up in a household where art in all its forms was celebrated, she was exposed to singing, acting, dance lessons, and the vibrant energy of jazz clubs frequented by legends like Gary Bartz and McCoy Tyner.  

From her mother's classic and refined style to his father's natural swagger, she found herself navigating the intersection of both worlds, forging her own unique identity somewhere in the middle.

 

 

     

It was '85 or '86, maybe before, but the pictures show the attitude. The energy was electric. April was either just getting ready to graduate from Bishop Loughlin or had just graduated, and she had no clue. What she did know was that this thing called hip-hop had a hold on her. It spoke her language, and as energy feeds energy, she was all in. April recalls the first time she heard the 'Hot, Cool, and Vicious’ album. She was walking home from Friendly’s Restaurant one night while attending New Paltz University, and Salt-N-Pepa dropped "The Showstopper." It turned her antennas up. It was a game-changer. Mad respect. She wanted more, and more there was, echoing a ripple effect. It confirmed to her that women could do whatever they wanted, even in what was perceived as a man’s world. 

Fashion In Effect 

At twenty-one, April opened "Fashion In Effect," a custom atelier shop in Brooklyn. This entrepreneurial venture became the testing ground for her brainchild, Walker Wear, a lifestyle brand that reshaped the fashion industry and challenged industry norms. Blending workwear and athletic gear with hip-hop style, April defined the uniforms of hip-hop culture. She also pioneered product placement and was the first to start a styling division. The brand amplified its visibility through music, radio, and television mediums and received shoutouts from icons like Beavis and Butt-Head. Leaving an undeniable mark on style, her work is showcased in a multitude of iconic books, including "The Streets Win,” ”Baby Girl: Better Known as Aaliyah," "Fashion Killa," and many more.

As the first woman to pioneer an urban fashion brand, April kickstarted a multi-billion-dollar streetwear industry, shattered distribution barriers, and amassed millions in sales. She has collaborated with historic hip-hop legends like Run-DMC, LL Cool J, Queen Latifah, and Wu-Tang, and with NBA superstars like SHAQ. Career milestones include designing costumes for the late and great Tupac in "Above The Rim" and having heavyweight champion Mike Tyson don Walker Wear in the ring. The brand also recently collaborated with the latest Transformers movie. Fab Five Freddy describes her as the "Coco Chanel of hip-hop urban fashion."

As a catalyst, April opened doors to help shape urban fashion with a mission to level the playing field. She has provided opportunities for people of color with an “each one, teach one” approach, creating the dandelion effect. Following her blueprint, notable Walker Wear alumni mentees launched very successful urban fashion brands and careers.

 

Full Story here: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-idea-generations-all-angl-107764262/episode/walker-wear-from-fashion-boutique-to-118537988/

  

 

 

 Walker Wear 

 

Walker Wear stands on pillars of community, culture, collaboration, and social equity. Collaborations with companies like Starter and the WNBA's New York Liberty underscore its connection to sports and fashion. Innovative partnerships with Netflix's 'I Got A Story To Tell' and teaming up with Amazon Music’s '50 & Forever' for merchandising collaborations with Dreamville, De La Soul, and Mary J. Blige’s 'Strength of a Woman' Tour reinforce the brand’s position as a trusted and authentic lifestyle brand."

April’s legacy extends to education. She published "Walkergems: Get Your A%$ Off The Couch" to empower people to design their lives with practical and actionable advice. These Walkergems were also shared in a Ford campaign called "Going The Distance." As an educator, she has contributed to Parsons' "Streetwear Essentials," served as an adjunct professor at TISCH/NYU, and consulted for NYC's Department of Education. She offers an online curriculum tailored to creators, fashion entrepreneurs, and mentors. The Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design recognized her contributions by naming their apparel space the "April Walker Apparel Studio." Globally, the brand has actively participated in prominent exhibitions, spanning from the Brooklyn Museum to the Museum at F.I.T., all the way to the Kunsthal in Rotterdam.

In leadership roles, April gained a wealth of licensing experience and has procured international licensing deals. She has served as Vice President for Phat Farm, and launched a women's line called Dimes through the distribution of And-1. Also, April has consulted for DreamWorks, Champion, footwear companies, and MLB Licensed products.

The powerhouse brand alchemist has collaborated across various industries with companies like Cadillac, Sports Illustrated, TJ Maxx, Glamour, American Express, and the beauty and skincare line Alpha-H. They recognize her journey, marked by creativity, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to pushing culture forward. April continues to inspire across generations with forward-thinking ideas, venturing into the Web3 realm with People of Crypto Lab's 'Cultureverse,' powered by Walmart, and also collaborating with the Culture Cards NFT project.

With over 35 years of experience, April Walker's legacy epitomizes a giver and a game changer, dedicated to elevating and leveling the playing field for all.