As the first company to make athletic shoes especially fit for women and as a supporter of trailblazing women, Rykä has teamed up with Chanel Miller—author of Know My Name , artist, and survivor—on the Courage Sneaker, an inspiring, limited-edition shoe release.
This exclusive design of Rykä’s top-performing Dynamic Pro style features original illustrations by Chanel. These illustrations were created for Futures Without Violence and dedicated to its forthcoming Courage Museum. Introduced to the world as Emily Doe
in the victim impact statement she wrote following her assault on Stanford University’s campus, Chanel has since shared her name and her experience publicly, prompting change to California law and inspiring thousands of fellow survivors to come forward and share their stories.
Her illustrations tell a story of courage, love, and self-acceptance. The main character, the lion, is a symbol of courage, while the graphic treatment of the text is spread like a mantra throughout the upper print.
Inside, there is a special message for the wearer on the insole from Chanel: “Love is where courage is born.” The design is accented with Chanel’s favorite color, cherry blossom pink. “Courage is a term that is often affiliated with bravado and chest puffing. The lion I created is very gentle and curious.
Courage is staying present, not running away from the feelings that catch up to you, listening to what your mind is saying when it’s not suffocated by distractions. Courage is getting to know and accept yourself,” said Chanel. She continues, “I love that this sneaker will serve as a foundation for your body…
