Heron Preston Comes To Dubai. Why Should You Be There?

by Dara Morgan

Heron Preston Comes To Dubai. Why Should You Be There?

24 Dec 2024

Heron Preston is the rare breed who knows his way around both beats and threads. Long-time friend of Virgil Abloh, Kanye collaborator, designer extraordinaire, DJ, and self-proclaimed “just creative.” Oh, and he recently added "fragrance wizard" to his CV, by collaborating with Henry Jacques Parfums. Picture a living, breathing mashup of Tony Stark (genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist vibe, right?) and the coolest guy at your uni party — but with better sneakers.

This New Year’s Eve, you have the chance to meet him in the flesh — and better yet, to celebrate 2025 with him. Heron is bringing his talents to Nahaté Dubai, where he will be spinning his signature sounds alongside Wolfram and Kito Jempere. With great music, exceptional food, and rivers of champagne flowing, the only thing missing is you. Ring in 2024 with a table booked at +971 52 208 007. Now, let us talk Heron — because, honestly, there is a lot to unpack here.

Marketing Prodigy

Born in San Francisco in 1983, Heron Preston moved to New York in 2004 to study at the Parsons School of Design, earning a BBA and setting the stage for his rise as a creative powerhouse. His career began at Nike, where he served as a global digital producer, eventually stepping into roles as a marketing specialist and social media director.

Later, Preston took on the role of art director for Kanye West, contributing to The Life of Pablo album and shaping the vision of West's iconic brand, Yeezy. From designing Yeezy’s tour merchandise to crafting invites for its avant-garde fashion shows, Heron’s touch was unmistakable.

Image: @heronpreston

Streetwear Visionary

The bond between Heron Preston and Virgil Abloh was as unique as it was transformative. Their story began in the digital realm, where Preston’s blog documenting New York’s downtown scene intersected with Abloh’s contributions to another online space. Their first offline connection? A restaurant where Preston waited tables and served Virgil, who was already carving out his name in the industry.

In 2012, the two designers, alongside Matthew Williams (of 1017 Alyx 9SM fame), co-found the disruptive streetwear brand Been Trill, long before Preston launched his eponymous label in 2017. And when Heron Preston brand finally arrived, it immediately seized the scene with its aesthetic. It draws heavily from utilitarian workwear, with inspirations from street workers’ uniforms — a nod to Heron's love for functionality, bold graphics, and his signature orange hue, now synonymous with his brand.

Collaboration Champ

Heron Preston is a born collaborator, fearless in bridging high fashion with unexpected cultural touchpoints. From partnering with H&M to creating collections with Calvin Klein (not once, but twice — a rarity in the industry), his work effortlessly blends accessibility with avant-garde.

Preston’s fragrance collaborations with Henry Jacques Parfums have further expanded his creative portfolio. His debut scent, Heron, is described as warm, sparkling, open, then deep and complex — a metaphor for his artistic ethos. Interestingly, the second perfume in the line was a collaboration with his long-term partner and co-creator, Sabrina Albarello.

But perhaps his boldest collaboration to date was with NASA in 2018. Inspired by astronaut uniforms, Preston designed a collection featuring pieces made with authentic NASA materials. Ever the showman, he promoted the line by launching a mannequin into space, broadcasting the journey — because, naturally, the sky is not the limit for Heron Preston.

H&M x Heron Preston; Calvin Klein x Heron Preston; Gentle Monsters x Heron Preston

Sustainability Advocate

Preston’s journey toward sustainability began with a personal epiphany during a trip to the Mediterranean, where he witnessed the devastating impact of pollution. This encounter sparked a commitment to environmentally responsible design.

In 2016, Preston collaborated with the NYC Department of Sanitation to launch a zero-waste collection of clothing and accessories. By reimagining sanitation worker uniforms as fashionable, functional pieces, he aimed to elevate their status and encourage the public to view waste management through a more positive, eco-conscious lens.

Today, Heron continues to champion sustainability through initiatives like L.E.D. (Less Environmentally Destructive), a grant and resource programme for Black and African American creatives under 30. L.E.D. provides recipients with $10,000, mentorship, internships, and access to a helpline offering advice from Heron and industry leaders.

DJ Extraordinaire

Heron Preston’s DJ sets are as dynamic and versatile as his designs. His ability to blend house, hip-hop, and other genres reflects his belief that music is the heartbeat of culture. As Heron puts it:

"Music is everything. I think music is the heartbeat of the culture, what bonds it together. I started DJing and making clothes at the same time; they really just go hand in hand to me. Music brings everyone to the same place, more than fashion, I think, and that’s what I love the most about DJing."

New Year’s Eve at Nahaté Dubai is your chance to be part of that magic. And who knows? You might just find yourself telling the story of how you danced your way into 2025 with one of the most dynamic creatives of our time.

Call your crew, book that table at +971 52 208 007, and prepare to welcome the New Year Heron Preston-style: bold, brilliant, and unforgettable.

by Dara Morgan