U.S. Track Star Allyson Felix Launches Unique Shoe Brand

Allyson Felix qualified for her fifth and (she says) final Olympics. As her storied track career nears its end, she’s launching a new chapter with her own lifestyle brand.

Felix, the most decorated female track star in U.S. history, unveiled women’s clothing and fitness company Saysh on Wednesday.

Elite gymnast Simone Biles and the 35-year-old Felix followed a similar path after initially signing on with Nike. 

• Felix left Nike in 2019 after penning an op-ed criticizing the Swoosh for cutting her pay when she was on maternity leave. She joined Gap-owned Athleta later that year.
• The dispute prompted Nike to change its maternity leave policies and raised Felix’s profile as an advocate for equal treatment.
• Biles left Nike for Athleta in April, saying that “Athleta is committed to diversity and inclusion of all women, backgrounds, ages, sizes, abilities, and races.” 

Felix and her older brother, Wes, raised $3 million in seed funding to start the company. Its first product is the Saysh One sneaker, which at $150 comes with a lifetime membership to the Saysh Collective. The membership offers perks like workout videos, networking possibilities, and interactions with Felix and others.

The track star is still involved with Athleta: This week, the brand released its most recent line in collaboration with Felix. 
Athleta has been a bright spot for Gap this year: The company plans to open 20-to-30 Athleta stores while closing 75 Gap and Banana Republic stores in 2021.