Meet The Biggest Vans Fan On The Planet

Who are you?
I am henrY @pillowHeat, collector/curator/connoisseurmer of all things og Vans from the handmade era of the Van Doren rubber company 1966-1996.

Where’s home?
Born in sydney. Currently living in London where the business has been based for the last 10 years.

What’s your favourite thing to do?
My passion is my work... so I enjoy digging for vintage & the cultural narratives that accompany product from pivotal moments in fashion & youth culture. I also love playing football, surfing, music, film, my dogs & being with nature. 

Can you remember the first time you thought Vans were cool?
I clearly remember a moment when I was 16 & looking to buy a new BMX. I found an old Mongoose catalogue in a bike shop and spotted a rider wearing red checkerboard slip-ons & thought that is rad as fuck! Years later it was the Dogtown & Z-boys doco that sealed the deal when I immediately identified with the idea that... I want THAT! 
So the collecting started around 1999.

It’s the dream of a collector to work with the brand they’re passionate about. How did the Pillowheat + Vans partnership come about?
The partnership came about organically. I remember being in my first shop on a deserted stretch in the backstreets of Hackney & a customer came in. She was blown away that on the street she lived on a vintage Vans shop had opened, namely because she was the assistant manager of the flagship Carnaby Street store. I heard this and raced upstairs whereby she told me there was a refit of the shop happening the next week and perhaps a space could be devoted to my collection. This came to fruition & 10 years later it’s still there... I now have a devoted floor to my independent operation upstairs on some of the most prime real estate in London! It started with displays & supplying product for internal events then progressed to copywriting, curating exhibitions, hosting presentations & ultimately design work.

What was the first pair that ignited your passion for waffles?
It was the humble black/white check slip-on which planted the seed. My first pair of USA-made and there was no turning back. Finding a pair of og Chukkas in a thrift shop shortly after was the point of no return and sparked my insatiable thirst for digging in the wild!

In recent years, Vans has been taking a real dive into the archives, what’s been your favourite style that they’ve resurrected?
I was stoked to see the style #43 convertible come back.... And I am humbled that I may have helped play a role in its return to favour.

When it comes to Vans what’s your white whale?
My white whale is anything in my size... thereafter its anything from the very early days of brand origins. Otherwise it’s internal ephemera like design remnants, signage, point of sale, catalogues etc. 

How do you source pieces? 
Much of the sourcing is done online these days however I do receive much assistance from heads around the world scouting local swap meets & hot spots. Of course the fun part is digging in the wild & getting out on the road to meet the people, hear the stories & unearth the untouched product personally.  

What’s the most effort you’ve gone to for a pair?
I will go to any length to source the goods! I’ve been known to sign up to online clown forums in search of stories & evidence of the infamous Vans clown shoes...

What’s the most prized item you own?
The oldest is perhaps my most prized possession & is from first year production 1966, unworn in original box, style #44 authentic. The original seed from which all else flourished.