Mario Maher & Joe Wilkinson
HEAT
LOCATION: LONDON
EMPLOYS: 25
FOUNDERS: JOE WILKINSON, MARIO MAHER
INVESTMENT: 2023 - PRESENT
ABOUT HEAT
Launched in 2019 with its mystery box phenomenon, HEAT’s core focus and marketing strategy was creator unboxings and organic UGC. HEAT’s goal was to revolutionize the way off-price products are perceived in the luxury fashion space by both consumers and brands whilst also delivering an exciting new shopping experience.
Today, HEAT has built a community of 1M+ and evolved to become a data and insight-driven personal shopping platform, offering a seasonless approach to luxury fashion, truly reflecting how Gen Z wants to shop.
HEAT’s investors include; LVMH Luxury Ventures, Hermes Family, Stefano Rosso, Giorgio Belloli, Simon Beckerman, Matthew Freud and more.
Brand partners include; Vetements, Off-White, Amiri, Alyx, Mugler, Courreges, Casablanca, CP Company, Canada Goose and 100+ more.
“Anyone with a finger even vaguely on the pulse knows that one of fashion’s greatest breakout success stories of the year has been HEAT” - i-D
“GEN Z’s favorite mystery boxes are reshaping the frontiers of luxury shopping” - Vogue
ABOUT THE FOUNDERS
Joe Wilkinson – CEO
After leaving school at 16 and deciding not to pursue further education, instead following his interest in the luxury fashion space, through personal shopping and styling. He built his extensive network of high-net-worth athletes, content creators as well as celebrities in the luxury fashion space. When working with multi-brand retailers to source products, Joe became aware of the huge opportunity in both off-price fashion and young consumers’ hunger for new business models and shopping experiences.
Mario Maher – Chief Merchandising Officer
With a professional background in banking, Mario completed his master's degree in Computer Science and Management at UCL and went on to work in strategy and business development at the British Business Bank before leaving to explore his enthusiasm for luxury retail. Mario set up his first venture in fashion distribution and worked closely with brands and retailers in Milan and London. Having seen first hand the challenges faced in this sector with surplus inventory, Mario and Joe connected to launch HEAT.
In 2022, Joe and Mario were featured in the Vogue Business 100 Innovators and Dazed 100 lists.
In 2023 Joe and Mario were featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list.
