Laganja Estranja’s Slaying the Merch Game with New Merch
Ladies, Gays, and Theys, if you’ve ever indulged in America’s “new” favorite pastime RuPaul’s Drag Race, you probably hear “Ockurr or “Let’s get sickening” ringing in your ears along with an iconic image playing on repeat in your head of her famous RDR Season Six entrance death drop.
Jay Jackson, aka Laganja Estranja, remains booked and busy from being a LGBTQ icon, TV personality, world-renowned female illusionist, choreographer, music artist, and cannabis advocate. OFM was able to kiki with Laganja on her current business ventures and expansion of merchandise and clothing.
What made you want to expand your business ventures and start this career path?
So I’ve been making merch, or as I like to say “Fashón,” Since the beginning of my drag career. You know, I was the first girl to have a website, a single merch line, 24-karat-gold jewelry all drop on Season Six. So, this is something I’ve been doing for a really long time; I just think because I was recently on television and seen on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars.
It is blowing up, and people are are finally recognizing that I make good shit. I feel like Michelle, who I’ve been working with now for almost a year, is an incredible designer and merch manager, and the things that we’re making are really unique. I really do feel like they have kind of surpassed the merch identity; they really are fashion for stoners. You don’t have to know who I am to appreciate what I’m putting out.
What provoked you to create and design your own made-to-order Pride clothing line?
Obviously we definitely wanted to celebrate Pride, so of course it’s super important that I recognize the community that directly funds and supports me. Prior to Pride, we’ve been releasing lines inspired by different photographers, so each line, you know, featured a different artist, and for Pride, we really wanted to create something that was universal and wasn’t tied to another artist, but rather to the line.
That’s why we created this iconic print; some are saying it’s Louis Vuitton; some are saying it’s Versace, but you know, it’s actually Laganja Estranja, so of course, I am hugely inspired by hot couture, but I definitely wanted to create something that was unique to me. You’ll see hearts; you’ll see cannabis leaves; you’ll see the medical cross symbol, and of course, my iconic logo.
What items can be purchased in this gorgeous Laganja line?
We really do an array of everything. We carry t-shirts, both in a masculine-presenting style and a feminine-presenting style, but we also carry a lot of fun accessories. including backpacks, clocks, pillows, mugs, tote bags, and duffel bags, and I think we just launched flip flops. We’re expanding every day and trying to find ways to create more and more different types of fashion and different types of accessories.
We’re definitely looking into moving into cannabis accessories. I’m super excited to see where we actually end up, but it’s been a very quick expansion. We just dropped an assassin line from All Stars Season Six, and we just dropped a new neon line so we are always creating we’re always on the lookout for what’s new, what’s upcoming, and try and keep it fresh.
Will your clothing be inclusive for all genders or nonconforming beings?
Absolutely, and because we are a small business, I will be honest; we haven’t been able yet to hire models. So, a lot of the promotion that we’re doing is Photoshop, being very real here, we’re photoshopping what we can find. Of course, we’re trying to find people online in the stock photos that represent the community that we want to represent, but that being said, it is my dream to be able to hire an array of people, whether they be transgender, whether they be of different races and different sizes, to really show people that this line is for everyone.
I believe we carry up to 2X as of right now; again, we are looking and working with manufacturers to try to expand this to carry even larger sizes, but we do really try to think of everyone. Now, my line is very colorful, so maybe we’re not thinking of the, you know, simple, quiet folk, but we do try to have some classic pieces in there that are a little bit more simple, maybe a little less suggestive on the cannabis side, but you know, my line is just like me; it’s loud; it’s proud, and it’s current, baby.
Which piece do you love? What piece in particular is the shit?
Gosh, that’s really hard for me to say because literally every time Michelle designed something, I’m like, ‘I need all of this, and I can’t even afford it myself.’ So I have a couple of my favorite pieces here in my house that I really love. One is featuring my dear friend Robert Hayman; he’s a collaborator of mine. So, it’s this awesome pillow that I just love so so much.
I also have this amazing clock that also features a piece of Robert’s artwork that’s truly one of my favorites. But right now, if I had to pick one item, I would definitely say, like, the neon tote; I think the neon tote is a really classic choice. It’s got “let’s get sickening” on there; it’s got “Ockurr;” it’s got a pot leaf; it’s got high heels, so it’s got a little bit of everything for everyone, and it’s a great size you can fit a lot of stuff in it. I actually do love the beach bags as well; I don’t think we did a beach bag in the neon collection, but the beach bag is something that I use every day to, not that I’m going to the beach every day, but it’s a big large bag that you could fit a lot into, so for a drag queen, it’s the perfect thing for on the go.
Will you be creating and implementing any future designs?
Yeah, so as I said, we’re always looking to expand and see how we can grow, pun intended. I really want to move into the cannabis accessory lane dab tools papers I’ve been working on papers for years; we’re in talks with some other companies because obviously we’re gonna need help when moving into the cannabis realm. But definitely, you’re gonna see a lot more ‘Fashón’ coming throughout the year celebrating cannabis smokers, queer individuals, and of course all things Laganja Estranja.
What has been your favorite about the designing process?
My favorite part is that I love what I’m designing, so I get to, like, literally make something and then have it made and wear it, so I think my favorite part is being able to [say] yeah, I wear my own designs. To be honest, Michelle does most of the design work, so I want to make sure we notate that. Of course I give her ideas or things that I’m looking for but, you know, I’m not a designer; that’s why I hire someone who is and I’m a huge, big believer in collaboration.
Most of my art projects are all done through collaboration because I know what my strengths are, and that’s why I like to have other individuals implement what they’re good at, but definitely the best part of this is, I get to wear what I love that feels true and authentic to myself.
How do you want your fans to feel in your clothing?
I want my fans to feel like the ultimate superstars. I want them to feel bright, colorful, and proud. I want them to be able to get compliments on what they’re wearing, and feel bold and brave. That’s why I don’t shy away from color and large graphic images because I want it to be a statement piece. I want people to feel like they are special in my clothing.
Being the empress of Marijuana how does it feel to continue to advocate for the weed industry with your weed themed clothing line?
You know, I’m so grateful to be an advocate when I first started this; I had no idea how homophobic that industry would be. And so, I think you know just by showing up to the conversation and to the table, I’m helping a lot of other individuals feel like they’re in a more safe, inclusive environment. So I feel very honored, but I also recognize that I have a lot of privilege, and that’s why I tried to give back and do as much as I can.
Now obviously, like I said, we’re a small business, and we haven’t been able to donate to charities yet because we can barely afford to keep ourselves afloat. But that’s the goal, right? I want to be able to hire trans individuals and give back to the Trans Wellness Center here in L.A., so that’s what we’re working towards.
Anything else you’d like to add that we didn’t cover?
It’s just so exciting to see people wearing my fashion; I have dreamed of this day as someone who’s been trying to create a successful merchandise line for many years. I feel like, especially because of the All Star Six people are really paying attention to me and my team, and to be able to be tagged online and see people enjoying these clothes and feeling special in these clothes, it just gives me hope that we are on the brink of really moving forward and creating a full-time business. I mean, I dream of having a storefront here in L.A., so I think we’re well on our way, and I’m just so grateful to everybody who’s purchased an article or an article of clothing or an item and who has continued to support me all these years.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Secure the bag here for any disgustingly gorgeous Laganja items.
Photo Credit: Jon Sam
What's Your Reaction?
