Doing Things Her Way: A Conversation with Allyson Felix

In the conversation below, award-winning journalist Noor Tagouri and Felix speak about forging paths forward, how she uses style as a form of self-expression and what true representation means to her.

Noor Tagouri: Was there a time [that] was really pivotal [where you] did something that really changed the trajectory of your life?

Allyson Felix: I would definitely say having my daughter was that huge moment for me. Being an athlete—I think it's expected to not happen while you're still competing or you're so hyper-focused on being an Olympian and these four year cycles and all of this stuff… I wanted to make that the priority, and that was unexpected. It totally shifted the course of my life and disrupted it, but in the most incredible way.

NT: The message of Mejuri’s campaign is your signature, your way, and it really is about that sense of individuality and independence. How would you personally define your way?

AF: I would define it as going against the norm. For the longest time, even in my own personal journey, I've always felt like I had to stay in that box; I had to do what's expected and fit in. I think that this is breaking those barriers and saying, "No, you don't have to go the traditional route. You can express yourself and you can go and create your own path." That's a beautiful message to put out into the world.

NT: How would you describe your personal style and how have you used that as a form of your self-expression?

AF: My personal style is classic, relaxed, effortless. Being a mom and a business woman, it really has to function and work with my day. At my core, I love streetwear. I'm a girl who grew up in LA in the '90s. It definitely expresses who I am and I love to have fun with that.

NT: When you think about paving your own path, you did that quite literally by starting a business. Who were you thinking about in that process?

AF: I was thinking about women. I was thinking, "Here I am in this situation where I feel like I'm not being seen. I'm not being valued." When it came to the point of starting my company, I had been to four Olympics already. I felt like I had done enough, but I still wasn't being valued in that way. I was thinking of people who had been overlooked and that I was just so exhausted of asking for change from other people.

I [thought], "Here was an opportunity to create change myself," and it was a necessity. I did not have shoes to wear at the Olympics, and I thought that was so absurd, but it was so much deeper than that as well—because there are so many barriers. Sometimes you do have to create it yourself and create your own path.

NT: What does representation mean to you?

AF: It's such a huge part of why I'm even an athlete today. I remember growing up, watching the '96 Olympics and I had no aspiration to be an athlete at all. I was watching and there was this young Black girl who looked like me and she was absolutely killing it. I was just inspired by her. I hold on to that moment and I think now about all the women who are so diverse, doing incredible things. I think that's everything, to be able to give that clear picture and show someone what's out there.