IN? OR OUT?

Trendmill talks to Heyday

by TrendMill Media Inc.

Added: over 2 years ago

Heyday was founded in 2006 by Boston-based footwear designer Darin Hager. Hager has been a professional designer since 1995 and has worked with a diverse group of brands, including Puma, Sperry Top-Sider, Clarks, and Reebok. Like most designers, Darin had always dreamed of having his own brand to showcase his own designs, undiluted by corporate design committees.

What attracted you to the footwear business ?: I was always into fashion and design growing up but after graduating from Design School, I was a toy designer for a few years. I worked mostly on Marvel Comics action figures and toys. I eventually got tired of "playing with toys" and just fell into footwear. I enjoy it so much more because I can actually wear my designs (I'm also sample size which helps) rather than just looking at them in a toy store.
What is your favorite and weirdest sneaker of all time ?: My favorite sneaker of all time that I designed is the Heyday Everyday Mid. Its exactly what I want to wear from a design, materials and colorway standpoint and I'm just so psyched every time I see it.

The weirdest one I've ever designed is the circular Japandal flip flop I did for Puma in 2003. Each flip flop is a half circle and when you stand with you feet together it looks like you standing on a dinner plate, but they actually feel like any other flip flop when you walk.

My favorite sneaker of all time other than my own designs is probably a toss up between the Jordan 14, Adidas Y-3 high tops, and the Feit Pantha boot.
What is the best company that you have worked for ?: Working for myself has really been the best situation for me as I really like to do my own thing and I don't always wear pants to work and that doesn't really fly at most other companies.

Other than that, Puma was really great in the sense that I not only got to design really cool product when Puma first started to catch on about 5 or 6 years ago, but the design team was all friends. We all used to chill out together at work and on the weekends and it was a great mix of people, some of whom I'm still really close with.
Anything you've worked on that we would recognize ?: I hope so! The Puma Scrill and Klim climbing shoes, Kendo martial arts shoe, and Japandal flip flop to name a few. I have quite a few designs still on the market from Sperry Top-sider as well.
How many assistants do you have ?: Other than my dog who sleeps under my desk and keeps my feet warm, I don't have any. I'd love to find someone one of these days, I have so many projects running at the same time between my own brand Heyday and my design consulting business that an extra pair of hands would come in handy.
Where do you find your inspiration for your designs ?: I find inspiration all over the place, sometimes in other footwear but also in accessories like handbags, watches, architecture, apparel and even in my dreams occasionally. How sad is it that I dream about shoes?
Where and when can we get your next collection ?: Heyday will be delivering in August to a very select group of retailers including, Journal Standard in Tokyo, The Tannery in Boston, Avenue in Orange County, CA, and Soula in Brooklyn. www.heydayfootwear.com has the complete listing of stores which is growing slowly the first and second season. I'm only interested in placing Heyday in the right retailers. I'm not in this to make my money right now, I just want to design dope shoes.
How's Boston treating you ?: Boston has been my home on and off for 18 years! I can't believe its been that long but it has been broken up by a few years in Manhattan and the Bay Area. Boston is just starting to get some cool sneaker stores like Concepts. Its been remarkably slow going for the streetwear scene here compared to New York and San Fransisco.
Are you hitting any of the major trade shows to showcase your product this year ?: I debuted Heyday at Pool Las Vegas in February and will most likely do Agenda in San Diego in September and possibly Project NY but you know it all comes down to money...those trade shows are very expensive for a little brand like Heyday.
How has the Internet changed your life ?: It's just another addiction for me and my ADD!
We have a feature on trendmill called last seen, could you share with us what you have been:: last seen wearing: Heydays, True Religion jeans, G Star jacket

last seen watching: Heroes, The Unit, 30 Rock (Alec Baldwin rocks)

last seen reading: the 48 Rules of Power, Choke by Chuck Palahniuk (author of Fight club)

last seen listening: The new Maroon 5 single "Makes me wonder" is stuck in my head and my iPod, Zero 7, Arctic Monkeys
And finally, what's the next big thing ?: Heyday is on my list as the next big thing in footwear and the birth of my first child in August is a close second...