One-On-One: Beija Velez
Images: Adam Jason Cohen for Foot Locker
At first glance, we could assume that Beija Velez has easily navigated the sneakers and streetwear space given her effortless style and strong creative energy. After vibing with Beija, it was apparent that this modern day Renaissance woman is rooted in how community has played an integral role in everything she has accomplished and continues to do. From humble beginnings on the hardwood to a flourishing career in modeling, design, and storytelling. We always say that women are multifaceted and not to be put in any proverbial box (pun intended), but Beija has intentionally lived this mantra day in and day out. Beyond being a certified baller, she understands where she came from and honors where she is now.
Even more importantly, Beija is owning the rights to her legacy through an ecosystem of empowerment and authenticity. At the age of 25, she has not only stacked up her success, but continues to show the next generation that chasing your dreams carries a high return on investment. As Beija moved into creative consulting and being a fresh face for sneaker and streetwear brands, she infused community elements to share her own experiences in a way that resonates with the masses. We had the opportunity to sit with Beija and talk about growing up in ATL, full circle moments with the adidas Forum campaign, and how a solid support system can change the trajectory of your life. Spoiler Alert: Beija is a whole vibe.
CNK: How did growing up in Atlanta shape you, not only as a baller, but as a designer and creative? What was it about the ‘A’ that cultivated this creative spirit?
BEIJA: When you think of Atlanta, we have so much coming out of it. The newest dances, hip hop artists like Migos, 2Chainz, T.I., and you see people moving there for the film industry. Honestly, for me, it was the lack of having access to tools and resources so I had to use my imagination. Fashion shows and brands were showing up in New York and LA, but we didn’t really see stuff like that. I was trying to dream up a world that didn’t really exist in Atlanta, and I had to take my talents elsewhere for my crafts to really be witnessed. Being around my homeboys in the hood, my family, and playing basketball helped me create a space to be creative.
CNK: If you took away all of the accolades, everything that you have accomplished as far as your campaigns and the projects you have been a part of, what would you say you’re most grateful for at this point in your life?
BEIJA: I would say I’m definitely most grateful for the community that’s around me. All the accolades and the campaigns, people see my face but there are numerous amounts of people that have gone into this work. The people who are conducting the interviews, the people who are filming me and capturing these images, my parents that raised me, my coaches, my mentors. A lot of people don’t have the privilege to grow up in environments where their dreams can be supported. I was in a space where my imagination was always tended to. I’m glad I grew up in a space where I had a community of folks who reassured me of my dreams because I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for them.
CNK: You’re a certified baller and we know that sports and sneaker culture go hand in hand. We see this with the adidas Forum and streetwear in general. How does your personal origin story tie into the intersection between sneaker culture and sports?
BEIJA: I feel like sports and sneakers are literally built into my DNA. I started designing sneakers when I was about 7 years old just filling up my sketchbooks. Someone actually broke into my family’s van and stole my book bag that had my video games and my sketchbooks, and it completely broke my heart. I didn’t get back into designing shoes until high school. To have this full circle moment later to actually design a shoe in partnership with adidas means a lot.
I’ve been playing basketball since I was about 4 years old, but competitively at 8 years old was when I started doing AAU travel ball. I always had to have the freshest kicks on the court. Basketball players now, you’ll see them going down the tunnel and you want to capture their fits and what sneakers they have on. Those definitely go hand in hand and I love that there’s this intersection between sports, sneakers, and fashion. I’m glad to be in a space, especially as a woman in a male-dominated industry, that can work in those fields and make a living off of it.
CNK: As a person who has feet in a few male-dominated spaces (basketball, sneakers, streetwear, design), what are you most excited about as we see women - especially Black and brown women - Taking control of our narratives here.
BEIJA: Women make the world go ‘round when you think about it. Entertainment and media, and not just from appearance, but from the energy we bring. It’s critical that we have more women behind the scenes, like women who are creative directing the campaigns. We have people of color in the campaigns, but do we have them in the offices as well? We are really seeing this breakthrough within the industries where we have more creative control, and people honoring our creative autonomy and integrity. I‘m really excited to see more women walking in their truth. We need more creative freedom and feeling liberated in our designs and ideas especially in these male-dominated spaces and in our storytelling and the art of collaboration as well.
“It feels good to give back to the community, because what’s the point of doing all of this stuff if other people can’t have access or imagine themselves in this space. ”
CNK: How has your experiences with creating the adidas Friends & Family P.O.D and the adidas Forum a conduit for your personal expression?
BEIJA: With the P.O.D, the shoe was actually stolen - the prototype I made. I posted on social media that maybe I was supposed to have a detachment from materialism. About 3 months later, Jon Wexler and my adidas rep came back and said they wanted to do a Friends & Family pair and that they had seen the reaction on social media. Just to feel like the world was crumbling around me and then for the shoe to actually be materialized meant the world to me.
Two years later to be doing this campaign for the adidas Forum in partnership with Foot Locker is honestly just surreal. I remember being in Atlanta cutting grass trying to get $30 to stack up some bread just to get shoes. I didn’t come from some high class family so to be in a space now where my body is a vessel that’s just holding all of this energy of a child that wanted to imagine and dream. It’s not just my dreams that are being accomplished, it’s giving the next 14 year old or 45 year old the inspiration and energy. I feel like I’m in one big dream, and I’m blessed.
The adidas Forum
High or Low?
There’s so much versatility and fluidity in both of the shoes. I personally like high top silhouette because I’m a basketball player so I’ve always wanted ankle support. That transcended the lifestyle aspect in streetwear - for me. I love the cleanliness and how minimal it is because there’s so many things you can do with it.
SHOP BEIJA’S FAVORITE ADIDAS STYLES BELOW
CNK: Who are some of your favorite women in the game right now?
BEIJA: Aleali is obviously killin’ it, Melody Ehsani as Creative Director at Foot Locker is amazing, Vashtie, Teyana Taylor. To see these women breaking into these spaces, I’m excited to see more innovation and storytelling taking place. Another woman is Jazerai Allen Lord, and we spoke at a panel together in Milwaukee. I love how she’s constantly putting on for women of color and shining light on women in sneakers who don’t have platforms. There are women who really know the game, but they don’t have X amount of hype in their collection or X amount of followers. I appreciate the light she’s shining on these women.
CNK: In looking at your journey, you seem to be very dedicated to your goals and your dreams. What are you doing today that will help you be great tomorrow?
BEIJA: I’m staying prayed up right now. Outside of the glitz and glamour, there are so many curve balls. I’m very intentional in every day of my life. When I wake up, I’m playing my meditation music and doing yoga. The spaces that I’m in take a lot of energy from me where I have to shift from a baller mindset to a creative director mindset to a model. It’s a lot to balance all of those energies so I really have to be prayed up to stay grounded and keep myself centered. In a creative industry, a lot of people don’t feel like we could be battling mental health and that’s very real. I’m always talking to God and the Universe, making sure I’m protected in these spaces that I’m in. I’m trying to protect my energy to be better for the next plans that are thrown my way in life. I know I have a higher calling.
Check out Beija on Instagram HERE and her website HERE.
Tune into her Foot Locker x Forum Fridays appearance below:
CNK Interview has been condensed and edited for brevity.