April Walker | [Sir Mix-A-Lot]

Custom made and designed by April Walker for Sir Mix-a-Lot’s 1992 “Swap Meet Louie” music video, the current lot was featured prominently in the playful send-up video of the counterfeit clothing scene. “Swap Meet Louie” appeared on Sir Mix-A-Lot’s platinum Mack Daddy album released on Rick Rubin's Def American label , which also included the monumental smash hit “Baby Got Back.”

As the first woman of color to create her own Hip Hop clothing line, Walker Wear, while simultaneously opening her own boutique, Walker is known for designs that would come to define the Hip Hop era. Beginning in the 1980s, Walker found herself energetically surrounded by other creatives in the culture, from break dancers to graffiti artists to rappers, all of whom would gravitate towards Walker's custom shop in Brooklyn. She secured endorsements and support from artists such as The Notorious B.I.G and Tupac, dominating the male-heavy landscape of urban fashion. Designing original pieces for a clientele with their finger firmly on the style pulse, Walker also catered heavily to b-boys and b-girls, creating looks that were both comfortable and fashionable, two requirements in the ever-evolving space of streetwear.

Walker continues to design for her thriving Walker Wear brand and is the author of Walkergems, Get Your A$% Off The Couch. She’s been featured in the films Fresh Dressed and the award-winning 2019 documentary, The Remix: Hip Hop x Fashion.

Provenance:

From the personal archive of April Walker

Condition Report:

To request a condition report for this lot, please contact pop@sothebys.com