Meet Steven Tiller, shoe designer, entrepreneur, and the man we have to thank for resurrecting the original, classic California cool sneaker brand, SeaVees. We recently popped into the Funk Zone-located flagship store for a chat about the brand’s storied past, the SeaVees secret, the new SeaChange Collection, and more.
Tell us a little about the history of the brand.
It all started in 1964. SeaVees was the “original way to go casual,” leading the transformation of the sneaker from gym shoe to casual shoe. In 1971, the brand was forced to close its doors in response to complaints that its parent-company was holding a monopoly on the American sneaker market. SeaVees would remain dormant until 2005 when I ventured into a second-hand clothing store in Tokyo and came across an original pair. Fast-forward to 2008 when we relaunched the brand, and again to April 2019, when we opened our first flagship store in Santa Barbara, California.
After successfully resurrecting the brand, how did you decide on the Santa Barbara Funk Zone location for the flagship store?
Opening up a flagship store, a place that embodies all things SeaVees has always been a dream of mine. The right space, at the intersection of the sea and the city’s arts district in the heart of the Funk Zone, eventually presented itself. The building had amazing bones to start with – it was an old surf shop outfitted with concrete floors, a tin roof, and origins steeped in history.
What sets SeaVees apart from other fashion sneakers out there?
Our products are intentionally simple, purposefully timelessness, and consciously crafted. We pull a great deal of inspiration from our heritage – looking back at the original SeaVees ads from the 1960s is a regular touchpoint for us. In every shoe lives the SeaVees secret - a contoured, cushy footbed, with perforations, airflow channels, and washed cotton lining, making SeaVees the most comfortable sneaker you’ve ever worn.
What style from the current collection are you most coveting?
You will most often find me in the Legend – the silhouette featured in the original SeaVees ad campaigns from 1964. We recently launched our spring/summer collection, and I’m really excited about our SeaChange Collection – our first, almost completely recycled capsule collection made from recycled, post-consumer plastic, metal-free stitched eyelets, and outsoles made from recycled rubber.
Honestly, how many pairs of SeaVees are in your closet right now?
I tend to stick to a dozen pairs, which I keep on heavy rotation. When it’s time for an update, I drop off my used pairs at our retail location to be added to our Recycling Program, which accepts all non-athletic sneakers in any condition.
24 East Mason Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
805.774.1964
SeaVees.com
