Breaking has given Jilou a new sense of freedom. The medal-winning B-Girl, who wears Nike for her Schön! 46 cover, spent years using the art of movement as a form of expression. “I was always a kid that loved movement,” she states, touching on the time spent exploring circus, aerial acrobatics and gymnastics. It was breaking, though, when she felt truly free. “When I tried breaking, I knew that this was it. I found it. It’s the freedom of movement. The fact that there is a foundation that we can always rely on, but that we are always free to express ourselves.”
Breaking stretches as far back as the ’70s in the streets of The Bronx and has ties to hip hop. It makes sense that it’s become a competitive sport — one that has risen all the way to the Olympics. “I want people to take breakers seriously, just as much as they take any other athletes seriously,” she says. “We work hard and I want to show that to the public.” Working hard for Jilou means a meticulous workout and training regime — perfecting specific combos, learning new skills, and adapting current ones. It’s the training, she says, that keeps her striving for more.
What inspires Jilou most, though, is just how inclusive breaking can be — despite it being a male-dominated sport. No equipment is required, nor are there large fees to begin learning. It’s for people “who don’t fit into the conventional picture,” explains Jilou. That conventional picture is also why now, at 31, she knows her love of breaking isn’t preventing her from exploring other exciting things in life. “Since I’m 31, I was obviously thinking, do I want children? I always questioned whether being pregnant would get in the way of my dance, my athleticism, or if my career might be over,” she admits. A Nike video championing pregnant athletes showed her that it is possible to do both. “That’s just the first step of doing it,” she declares.
jacket. NAMILIA
bra. Nike Alate All U
skirt. Nike Women’s Woven Skirt
earrings throughout. Jilou’s own
opposite
waistcoat + trousers. MARCELO BURLON County of Milan
top. Nike Sportswear
socks. Nike Sportswear Dri-FIT Everyday Essential
sneakers. Nike P-6000
coat. Maximilian Gedra
bra. Nike Swoosh Light Support
track bottom. Nike Sportswear Phoenix Fleece Oversize Sweatpants
sneakers. Nike Air More Uptempo
sunglasses. Nike
opposite
suit. Maximilian Gedra
top. Nike HydraStrong Solid
sneakers. Nike Dunk High
coat. Maximilian Gedra
bra. Nike Swoosh Light Support
