The other side of the pillow

The other side of the pillow
While pottering around in the rain in deep dark Hackney I stumbled upon a little shop that is a treasure trove of goodness! They have a super selection of vintage sunnies, bits and tricks to keep you entertained for hours and a stuffed bird who I've named Barry. More importantly it is FULL of vintage Vans and sneakers. All one offs and decorated with fabrics that make you want to look at them forever! If you like Disney like us you are in heaven! A WHOLE fridge full of Mickey, Donald and Winnie shoes. WOOP! I ran to work on Monday morning eager to tell Gemma about it, as she is the queen super fan of all things trainer based and Disney! While there I met the 2 brains behind the shop and they politely answered a few questions for us, so have a read, Why open a shop in Hackney? The way we feel.... hackney IS London. There is little else really & there was never an alternative. We seldom venture any further & feel it captures the collective subconscious of those we target. Hackney has character & a raw appeal that attracts young, forward thinking creative people whom are open-minded enough to appreciate something different. In addition, Hackney has a rich history & the architecture tells a story. As such, it was ultimately our building, which served as a shoe repair shop since the 1930's & the connection we felt to it which inspired our presence there. What is the fascination with vintage trainers? I guess for me it originated as a classic compensation mechansim & as such, compensating for something otherwise lacking in my life & from there evolving to become more of a passion. Trainers are a real statement piece that can say alot about the owner & really showcase one's personality. When it comes to an interest in vintage pieces its probably about an attempt to re-capture back in the day & remaining true to whatever legacy born from fashion, art & culture etc. So its pure aesthetics, but also about workmanship & longevity. How would you describe the shop in 5 words? Other side of the pillow (says it all) Favorite pair ever? Vans style #95 era. Illusive pair you are searching for? Nike (mac) attack When not in shop what are you doing? Stock hunting! the most fun of it all is the dig! Who do you want to see walk through your doors? Steve van doren, the son of the founder of vans in 1966, would be the ultimate privilege. If you ever find yourself wondering around Hackney this is a must see destination. All us oaf lot will be day tripping it there asap! The address of 'The other side of the pillow' is, 61 Wilton Way, London, E81BG.