Meet Jamia Fields of Stoic Los Angeles (STOLA)

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamia Fields.

Hi Jamia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in Alta Loma, CA, being inspired to be competitive and play sports by my parents who played sports collegiately and my older brother Arby who was a dual sport collegiate D1 athlete as well as a professional baseball player. I started playing soccer and tennis as my main sports but also did competitive swimming, dance, BMX racing, horseback riding, and snowboarding. I proceeded to pursue soccer as my main sport and knew I wanted to play professionally one day. I ended up playing collegiate soccer at Florida State University with a Bachelor’s in Psychology, Minor in Biology also winning 3 ACC titles and 1 National Championship. I was drafted to Boston Breakers in the National Women’s soccer League in 2015 and proceeded to play for Western New York Flash in 2015, Orlando Pride 2016-17, in Norway 2018, and Houston Dash 2019-2021, and Washington Spirit in 2022.

On the fashion side of things, I grew up loving fashion with my mom as my fashion icon. I have always loved putting outfits together, bargain shopping, as well as designer bags. My passion for fashion led me to commit to my designer/styling aspirations. I have realized throughout my career that I have overcome obstacles in life and my career, so I knew that I needed to create a brand where underdogs and those who are continuously persevering could relate. At times, I have felt like I needed to hear that others are persevering as well, for inspiration, to keep going. Whether it’s sports, fashion, business, life in general everyone has a story, and I believe those stories should be heard and reflected through one of the most influential industries like fashion. I knew that when I created my fashion brand, I wanted it to be high fashion and quality materials but also told a story.

I am in an amazing place in my life right now, being able to reflect on how far I have come makes me so proud. I got where I am today by my faith in God, but also constantly believing in myself and building a brand outside of soccer. Sport is such a gift and will always cherish ‘Jamia the athlete,’ but I never let soccer become my identity and I believe that is a big blessing. I was able to see who Jamia was outside of sport and that allows me to be creative in fashion and the freedom to dream with no limits. I also got my Master’s in Business Administration in 2017 which was a huge accomplishment for me and has allowed me to pursue business aspirations. I am excited to see where this journey with soccer, fashion, business and life continues to take me.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This journey has not always been easy. As a black woman who grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood and has been playing in a predominantly white sport, I have had to overcome. I have had to learn how to thrive in spaces where I am the only black person. I have faced stereotyping and discrimination since I can remember and still continues today in my current profession and life in general. Going to Florida State was a huge blessing, which is in Tallahassee, FL a predominately black community. I had to adapt and learn how to thrive in predominately black environments, which was exactly what I needed. However, it was not always the easiest because the black people would then say I ‘sound white’, when I thought I finally found where I belonged.

I believe these challenges have truly made me who I am on and off the field. In addition, barriers and hurdles of being a designer seemingly create new challenges in my life, but persevering has become the theme of my journey and I’m determined to continuously break barriers.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Stoic Los Angeles (STOLA)?
Stoic Los Angeles (STOLA) is a high fashion, luxury streetwear brand. Our mission is to acknowledge those who persevered. Who endured in situations beyond their control. Those who wanted to give up but used the obstacle as fuel. We exemplify those who are redefining how the world defines success. STOLA is a brand that supports overcomers. A brand that reminds you that you’re able to get through the hardest times in your life. A brand that flips the obstacle upside down and attacks it head-on.

When thinking of my brand, I want the consumer to appreciate the simplicity and quality of the pieces we create. When they wear the garments, I want it to remind the individual of how far they have come, their purpose, their journey, how they have redefined success, and how they have overcome adversity. Everyone is searching for someone or something they can relate to or searching for a source of strength to persevere. Therefore each collection contains a message, accompanied by a blog that speaks to the consumer.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
God always deserves the first shout-out and all the praise for me, but my parents and my brother deserve so much credit and are a huge reason I have accomplished all I have, I could not do any of this without them. I also have an amazing supportive group of family and friends that I am so thankful for, they know who they are!

Contact Info:

• Website: Stoiclosangeles.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/Jamiafields
• Facebook: facebook.com/jamiafieldssoccer
• Twitter: twitter.com/jamiafields4
• Other: TikTok: @jamiafields