Bobbie Johnson always loved drawing. Even as a child, making sketches of clothes seemed to come naturally to her. Those conceptions, born from a young and creative mind, provided a glimpse into her future career. Now a successful fashion designer and owner of the sustainable women’s clothing brand Béyu, Johnson turned her childhood passion for creating designs into a thriving business.

Johnson’s roots in Houston run deep. Born and raised in Fourth Ward, a place rich in cultural and historical significance, she not only has drawn inspiration from the city’s vibrant energy but also harbors dreams of giving back to the community: she envisions one day establishing a fashion and art nonprofit studio in Fourth Ward. Johnson’s love for Houston even bleeds into her brand’s name. Béyu, pronounced like “bayou,” is a nod to her affection for the city and a means of infusing her brand with a tinge of her heritage. She gave the “e” an accent to give it a more French feel, connecting to her family’s Louisiana roots.

Béyu is also a testament to Johnson’s commitment to healthy living and sustainability. Launched as a swimwear brand in 2016, the company has since taken a new direction due to some overwhelming life occurrences. Her younger brother was diagnosed with leukemia in 2017, a heart-wrenching experience that compelled her to reevaluate her lifestyle choices. She embarked on a transformative journey toward a healthier and more conscious way of living, in terms of both her day-to-day life and her creative work as a fashion designer.

Johnson began eliminating meat from her meals and gradually transitioned to a plant-based diet. Around this time, she also started to significantly shift Béyu toward more environmentally consciousness practices. Today, Johnson sources all the fabrics used in Béyu’s designs from manufacturers within the United States. One of her silk suppliers not only uses natural dyes for coloring but also recycles the water used in the production process. This dedication to sustainable sourcing ensures that Béyu’s fashion pieces are both aesthetically pleasing and environmentally responsible. Johnson also made it a priority to ensure that the new designs are made with durability in mind.

“After I made the whole transition to caring about what I put on my body and in my body, I just realized that quality matters and it’s beneficial to us,” Johnson says. “I would prefer to sell something that I know is going to last years. I just think it matters to have something [that has] longevity versus quick turnarounds. A lot of my pieces are versatile. So, in order to get the most out of it, it needs to last, and then you can wear them multiple ways so you don’t get tired of it.”

To create her chic and functional designs, Johnson pulls aesthetic inspiration from the world around her, including nature and architecture. She makes dresses, shirts, and skirts that imitate the eye-catching form and functionality of construction. She particularly loves the look of concrete, a material often associated with sturdy and enduring structures. One childhood memory left a lasting impression on her creative process, sparking a desire to integrate architectural elements into her designs.

“My grandmother used to have this [mantel],” Johnson says. “It was really cool. It had a flow at the top of it, but it was very stern at the bottom. So, I just remember that I knew I wanted to make a top that was fun at the top but straightforward at the bottom.”

Béyu now has a permanent space in Mala Market, and in May 2023 Johnson showcased her designs in a fashion show at the Houston Botanic Garden. The event was a significant milestone for Béyu. Rather than adhering to the traditional model of seasonal collections, Béyu operates on a different rhythm, releasing new designs just once a year. This approach allows Johnson to emphasize quality over quantity and create pieces with enduring value.

As Béyu continues to thrive and expand its presence, Johnson remains deeply rooted in her childhood love for fashion and design. This Houston brand stands as a beacon of conscious living and creative expression, reminding us all that good clothing can and should last a long while.