My name is Lorriejo (lo-ree-joh) Judan Fernandez, and I am a Filipina-American of Ilokano descent, born, raised, and based in the South Bay of Los Angeles.

My very first experience of crafting a lei took place at my high school senior year retreat in 2016. One of the retreat coordinators taught us how to make ribbon leis as a gift of prayer for our peers. The time spent working on the leis encouraged us to be mindful and intentional of the love we shared with the people in our lives.

A rediscovered interest in the artwork began to develop in 2025 - a year comprised of profound self-reflection, discerning the purpose of my contributions to society, and much-needed healing from the growing pains of life. The experience prompted me to learn more about my culture and sparked a creative desire to stay connected to my roots. With historical and cultural ties to Polynesia and Hawaii, I wanted to mix the Filipino values of “kapwa” — recognizing our deeply-rooted connections with others — with the customs of “aloha” — love, compassion, and respect — shared with the lei. Combining the two serves to maintain strong and healthy relationships through values that promote growth and enrichment.

Crafting leis is now one of my favorite activities for recreation because it allows me to view life from different perspectives while staying grounded in sharing a life with others. In crafting these leis, I hope to provide symbolic expressions of love, hope, and gratitude through life’s highs and lows.