"I never thought I would get here." A conversation with Leandro Azevedo, founder of Velle.

Leandro Azevedo has the calm of someone who has already been through difficult times and has learned not to be in a rush. He founded Velle alone, without external investment, without a team. We talked about what led him to create a brand from scratch and what it cost him.

How did Velle come about?

It came from a need to prove to myself that I could do it. It wasn't about the market, it wasn't about money. It was about looking back a few years from now and knowing that I really tried. That I didn't just keep the idea in my head.

Was there a moment when you thought about giving up?

Several. There are days when everything seems too big for just one person. When you look at what still needs to be done and don't see the end. But then there's that moment when a piece fits just right, or someone tells you they identified with what you created, and you remember why you started.

What does Velle represent to you, beyond being a brand?

It's proof that it's possible. That you don't need perfect conditions to start. You need to believe enough not to stop when it gets hard. That is what Velle is to me. And I hope that for those who follow us, it is also a reminder of that.

What do you want people to feel when they wear a Velle piece?

That they are themselves. Effortlessly, without needing to explain anything. That the piece works with them, not against them. It’s as simple as that.

What’s coming next?

More drops, more intention, more honesty. Nothing that doesn’t make sense. Never.