Video Essentials with Heron Preston: Rolex Daytona, Boring Company Flamethrower

Just in time for the launch of his collaborative Levi’s, we sat down with Heron Preston to break down some of his current favorite items. Encompassing a variety of his own collaborative goods, the items that Preston showcases all carry some deeper meaning to the designer, speaking to both his personal connections and artistic tendencies.

Preston shows off a Louis Vuitton bag designed by his good friend Virgil Abloh, which he uses to carry his DJ equipment — a seamless blend of functionality and personality. He follows up with one of his collaborative Air Max sneakers, the culmination of years spent posting on the NikeTalk forum and working for Nike. “It’s kinda come full circle,” Preston intones. “It’s pretty special to me.”

Before highlighting his special Levi’s jeans, Preston touches on a pair of upcycled bags from his own eponymous line. “This speaks to what my brand really believes in, which is sustainability,” he asserts. “Challenging myself and my peers to think more consciously about reducing our impact [on the planet].” Similar to the Levi’s, which recontextualize the iconic five-pocket jeans ( or “remix,” as Preston says), a Prada bag designed by Elizabeth Diller undermines the concept of what inspires fashion. “Taking the everyday and overlooked and putting it in the concept of fashion just makes it feel brand new,” Preston muses. “That’s what inspires me in my own design practices.”

Although his Rolex Daytona was perhaps the most personal item on the list, Preston gets most animated when describing the flamethrower offered by Elon Musk’s Boring Company. “When Elon Musk launched the Boring Company, I saw a lot of his side projects in what I was doing,” Preston says, smiling. “For me, this [flamethrower] is just a reminder to never forgot to have fun.”

Check out the full breakdown of Preston’s Essentials in the clip above.

Recently, Preston confirmed his attendance at the forthcoming “Depop Live” event.