DOP: So first thing’s first, what were your reasons behind starting the Henry Gallery?
Billy: Basically to offer Richmonders something that wasn’t available here.
DOP: And what was that? Street wear? Shoes?
Billy: Exactly. Streetwear brands that you’d either have to get online or go to New York or Cali to get.
DOP: Where does your interest in streetwear come from?
Billy: I guess it all comes back to hip hop and skateboarding for me. The designs, logos, and aeshtetic of those cultures back in the 90s is where 99% of streetwear comes from. To start with, there are tons of designers and owners of streetwear companies that used to work in the skateboarding industry. Whether or not you classify Supreme as a skateshop, aNYthing, Acapulco Gold, Starks Laces, and maybe more were all started by former employees of Supreme. I know bobby hundreds used to skate... SLB was once a pro skater... HUF was and still is a pro skateboarder.
DOP: So in founding Henry, was skate culture as much in mind as streetwear culture?
Billy: No, but I feel like streetwear was a natural evolution from skating and hip hop culture in the 90s, and that was a big part of my life when I was a teenager. People that grew up in that generation wanted to do something on their own. Like if you stopped skating like I did and you still listened to hip hop or punk, shit that skateboarders listen to, but you didn't wanna rock LRG or band tees. So most streetwear, or at least graphic tees, is inspired by that stuff. Whether it be like No Mas with the nods to sports in the 90s or hip hop from that golden age. I think The Hundreds even flipped the T&C surf stuff from back in the day.
DOP: So back to Henry, I know you guys participate in the First Fridays art walks. So where does the love of art come from?
Billy: Well ever since the store was just an idea we wanted to be at the location we're at. The mall was wack. Carytown didn’t seem right. And broad street is Richmond to us. The galleries were here and we knew that the foot traffic was crazy, even if for only one night a month, so we figured we could get our friends’ shit out there that the bigger galleries wouldn't touch; usually affordable art made by us for us, if that makes sense. We wanted our friends and the type of art that we are into to get some long overdue exposure.
DOP: So a lot of the art is from your friends?
Billy: Usually the artists are friends or people we have come to know through the shop, yeah.
DOP: I think I also read that you and Rudy are both VCU grads?
Billy: He did fashion merchandising, I studied psychology. We both graduated in 2003.
DOP: Is that where you two met? VCU?
Billy: Yup, back in 2000.
DOP: So how did you two get together to start a business? Were you friends first?
Billy: Yeah we were friends. When we finished school he moved to New York, I moved to Cali, and we decided to bring it back to Richmond and make Henry happen. We moved back in spring 2006 and got to work. It took a good year to get everything in line to open up.
DOP: I'd imagine the west and east coast streetwear scenes to have some differences. Was that the case?
Billy: As far as the different brands from their respective coasts, absolutely, but if you walk into a shop on either coast you are mainly gonna find the same brands. For example, Union in Los Angeles carries 10.DEEP and a bunch of east coast stuff. As a rule of thumb the west coast stuff is gonna be a little more colorful. They're gonna make more shorts, and try and roll with tank tops with heavy 80s influence in a lot of the streetwear. They tap into old surf logos, colorways, etc. East coast companies are gonna make long pants and jeans, more hoodies and jackets, and distinguish themselves in that way. They can get away with wool coats and varsity jackets. Also the colors are gonna be a little more subtle with dark earthtones, black, grey, navy. Though in both cases there are obviously exceptions to the rule.
DOP: Are there any particular brands you've seen that you believe should be paid attention to or that you like more than some others?
Billy: I got alot of love for Stüssy. I was rocking that shit back in ‘93. Then they overdid it and lost their original customers, started selling in department stores and blew it. They came back onto the scene, in the late 90s I think, really slowly and then really took off when the streetwear market was growing. They just have such a big line from belts, hats, bags, tanks, tees, hoodies, jackets, coats... they got it all really. If you like having ten colors on your shirts they got you, and if you just want a plain black tee with some white on there they got you too. They're just real thorough with it and can reach so many different customers. Surfers, skaters, hip hop heads, and even straight adults with their Stüssy Deluxe line.
DOP: So you like the range of Stussy's appeal?
Billy: Exactly. Also, I always got love for Supreme... Acapulco Gold is the shit... Mishka... I like the simplicity that 3sixteen brought. Supreme cause they are a big part of why we are all here. They have also matured with their customer. I would never think ten years ago that they'd be making pea coats and oxford buttondowns, but it works for them. Acapulco Gold has really dope designs... I can't even put my finger on it. Their colors, fonts, and imaging are just on point. Mishka for catering to different crowds. It can work on some pretty hood dudes rocking it in XXXL and a guy in a band equally well. And 3sixteen for their use of oldschool and antique imagery. I have a weakness for black tees with white print and they got that covered. Pegleg is also the shit. Their use of patterns, cut and sew paneled tees, mixed fabrics... they flipped the script.
DOP: Aight last question: How did you come up with the name for your shop?
Billy: The word "sneaker" is often attributed to Henry Nelson McKinney, an advertising agent for N. W. Ayer & Son, who, in 1917, coined the term because the rubber sole made the shoe stealthy. All other shoes, with the exception of moccasins, were unsuitable for sneaking due to the noise they inevitably produced. However, the word was in use at least as early as 1887, as the Boston Journal of Education made reference to "sneakers" as "the name boys give to tennis shoes". - Wikipedia
DOP: So simple as that?
Billy: Yeah, we tried coming up with some names and they all sounded kinda cheesy. I have come to hate the term "sneakerhead" and they all sounded like sneakerhead names. Henry has a touch of class. It's got history.
DOP: For what it's worth I think it was a good choice on you guys' part
Billy: Thanks, I like it.
DOP: Alright man, I guess that's it. Thanks again for your time.
The Henry Gallery's Broad St. exterior.
Browsing the wares.
More of the interior.
Close up on some of the tees on display.
Billy checking out some dope blog.
