Rudolf Beaufays Interview & Tour

If, like us on the Gentleman’s Gazette, you’re additionally a fan of menswear, you’re in all probability conscious that some nice issues may be present in classic retailers. You might even discover your signature piece or favourite wardrobe merchandise there! In my case, I discovered a very good and dependable retailer for secondhand offers that was my go-to as I used to be beginning my journey to basic menswear, which we’ll go to right now.

*Editor’s Observe: Whereas we heartily thank the Rudolf Beaufays crew for permitting us to movie and conduct our interview, this publish is 100% not sponsored.

Video Transcript [Lightly Edited for Clarity]:

Sven Raphael Schneider: Welcome again to the Gentleman’s Gazette. At this time, I’m in Hamburg, Germany, and at this lovely retailer, Rudolf Beaufays. It’s tucked away behind this development zone, however it’s a great retailer the place I used to purchase issues after I studied legislation in Hamburg, just some blocks away. It’s known as Rudolf Beaufays after the proprietor Rudolf Beaufays, however right now, it’s owned and operated by Meisun.

Raphael: Hello, Meisun! How are you?

Meisun Farhat: Nice, thanks. 

Raphael: Inform me extra concerning the story and the way you bought to take over such a beautiful factor? 

Meisun: It’s a classic retailer that I purchased from Rudolf Beaufays in, uh, what was it… 2015,  and I used to be his co-partner for a really very long time, after which he determined to retire, and I purchased the shop, lastly. 

Raphael: Most individuals individuals don’t simply purchase a basic menswear classic retailer on a whim. Inform me extra about that.

Meisun: I used to be at all times fascinated by classic garments and males’s vogue, so the whole lot that I put on, virtually the whole lot is males’s vogue, so I really like outsized coats and jackets and shirts, and I believe it really works for girls pretty much as good as it really works for males so I used to be at all times fascinated by the story behind previous garments.

Raphael: So, when did the shop begin? 

Meisun: It began 23 years years in the past.

Raphael: Okay, and when did you’re taking it over? 

Meisun: 2015.

Raphael: Okay, so that you’ve been doing it for fairly some time. 

Meisun: Fairly some time, yeah.

Raphael: So what have you ever modified? What have you ever added? If I keep in mind appropriately, you type of cleared it out a bit of bit. It seems to be all a bit of neater; the ties are literally seen!

Meisun: Yeah. I made it a bit of simpler for the individuals once they search for issues. So: the shop’s organized by measurement, which makes it simpler for individuals to decide on garments, and it’s a bit of extra organized. I’ve extra ties, extra cufflinks, cuff buttons and little equipment, which we didn’t have earlier than. So,  it’s the entire tools that the gentleman wants.

Raphael: So, I believe we must always stroll round a bit of bit, and also you simply inform me what you bought there, what you probably did. And I believe it’s beautiful. I imply, simply take a look at this fox over right here. Implausible! 

Meisun: It’s an previous fox from the Nineteen Sixties and a searching coat from London. So, the primary supply remains to be London with all the gorgeous garments that I nonetheless discover there. 

Raphael: So, how usually do you journey there? 

Meisun: Every year, however I’ve a contact in London who is aware of the shop fairly effectively. He travels to Hamburg now and again, and he checks with me collectively; what I want, [like] particular needs from shoppers, like morning coats, dinner jackets, very particular items, and he will get a listing from me to gather particular stuff for the individuals which can be in search of particular, lovely issues. 

Raphael: So what about your prospects: [are they] extra girls,  extra males? Like, has it modified because you took it over?

Meisun: It’s extra males, after all, as a result of I promote menswear, males’s garments, however typically it occurs that girls additionally are available and search for garments which can be a bit of outsized and the age modified. So, it’s extra younger people who find themselves in search of sustainable vogue. So, second hand … doesn’t have this soiled picture that it had way back, so it’s very in vogue to put on secondhand.

Raphael: Nicely, ’trigger nothing is as inexperienced because the coat this has already been made, proper? Precisely! 

Raphael: Even like fur, it’s there, so why not use it as a substitute of constructing one thing new? vegan leather-based that results in a landfill as a result of it’s simply plastic. 

Selecting Classic

Secondhand is Sustainable

Sustainable clothes is in, proudly owning secondhand garments is essential to have a inexperienced wardrobe. For instance, you simply don’t depart that lovely fur coat mendacity round–it deserves extra put on!

Meisun: Precisely. It’s higher to put on previous stuff, and I imply the standard is so good you might have tweet jackets which can be from the Nineteen Sixties, and the standard: you don’t get this high quality anymore. I’ve a coat that’s from the Forties, all of the uniforms are from the Nineteen Thirties and in case you are very fortunate, they appear like new. 

Raphael: All proper, let’s stroll via your retailer right here. I’ll allow you to information us. Simply perhaps present us some items, some perhaps fascinating issues which have a narrative, or issues that you just suppose are simply value speaking about. 

Meisun: Okay, so the uniforms are very particular. So,  like I mentioned earlier than, this one is, for instance, from 1934. It’s a multitude jacket, and I really like these uniforms as a result of I really like the intense pink coloration. So, I’ve hats, and I’ve sneakers, and I’ve some tweet jackets that you just see over right here which can be from the Nineteen Sixties. 

Raphael: Good! So, I might guess the mess jackets don’t promote in addition to the tweed jackets. Is that proper? 

Meisun: That is so proper! Yeah, yeah. So, some individuals purchase them and principally girls for particular events, so you can also make a mix of a contemporary trouser, trendy pants with the mess jacket and it seems to be very lovely on girls as a result of the sizes are very small. 

Raphael: They’re, I believe they’re virtually higher for like show functions. On a model, , at residence. I believe that’s the place it actually shines. 

Meisun: Yeah, precisely! 

Raphael: And right here you bought some tweed. 

Meisun: I acquired some tweed. It’s an previous tweed jacket, which is handmade. A lot of the issues are handmade, so the whole lot is exclusive. So the whole lot that you just see within the retailer, I’ve it solely as soon as. You’ll by no means discover a jacket double.

Raphael: Is that typically irritating? As a result of individuals are available, and you’ve got one thing, and also you in all probability realize it. “I may promote this a 100 occasions, however I simply have it as soon as.”

Meisun: No, it’s not irritating as a result of it makes me very completely happy to see if any person is available in, and he was in search of a few years for one thing particular, a particular jacket, and he finds it in my retailer. And he goes out completely happy about discovering this jacket. And so, no, this doesn’t hassle me in any respect.

Raphael: Fantastic! You mentioned it was kind of by sizes? What [have] we acquired right here? 

Meisun: So, with a German, it’s at all times guessing as a result of typically you don’t discover the scale within the garments. So, it’s a German 52– 

Raphael: Okay, which is American 42 common.

Meisun: Precisely! And more often than not, it’s tweed, I don’t have keepers tweed. Oh! I’ve a keeper tweed swimsuit. I do as a result of it’s it’s very uncommon for the second, and I’ve bother discovering it in London. So, that is the keeper tweet jacket. 

Raphael: Which is characterised by its resilient construction, proper? It’s virtually like, it’s like a cavalry twill within the construction, proper? All that twill. However, it’s actually type of… How would you say is it completely different from a thornproof?

Meisun: It has a particular coloration, so it’s at all times a bit of greenish, little yellow, and it’s very thick. So, if you happen to purchase one thing like that, you should have it for the subsequent 20, 30 years, and it’s virtually undestroyable. And I’ve additionally the Italian manufacturers like Kiton cashmere dinner jacket. 

Raphael: Oh, wow! Good!

Meisun: It’s an excellent high quality, and it’s Kiton!

Raphael: It’s good! Yeah, I simply–we did a video about Kiton. Like, I reduce one aside simply to see, , how a lot hand work is there truly inside. So, it was stunning, however their materials are at all times beautiful. They’re good and comfortable, and I’ve a like a navy cashmere blazer with like mother-of- pearl buttons. They’re good. They’re good.

Meisun: There’s additionally some, other than the classical stuff, like tweed waistcoats, tweed jackets, and the whole lot. The primary a part of the shop is classical menswear, however typically, it occurs that I’ve additionally one thing very particular and distinctive. For instance, it is a Jean Paul Gaultier jacket from the start of the ’90s, purchased in Paris. So, it was the very starting of John Paul Gaultier. It’s an outsized…

Raphael: It’s like a bit like, , artwork provenance. Like, purchased in Paris and, type of, [you] know the historical past of the garment. That’s fairly cool. Inform me extra about this lovely ornament. I keep in mind it was at all times properly embellished, however I believe it seems to be even higher now. 

Meisun: Yeah, it’s, I imply, the whole lot that’s within the retailer is discovered by Rudolph on flea markets in Paris, and he was gathering the whole lot, so his residence in Hamburg was embellished on this approach, so it was fairly just like the shop. And I organized it a bit of in another way. I made areas to sit down as a result of I believed, it’s extra snug for the shoppers, the shoppers to sit down, take their time, perhaps learn one thing…. For instance, the portray up there, over there with a lion on the left aspect, it fell from the truck when Rudolf tried to move it from from Paris to Germany, so it’s damaged within the center, and so that you see it, if you happen to listen.

Raphael: Sure, sure, sure, sure, I can see it.

Meisun: I grasp this chandelier within the center, and I hope it would keep protected and never fall. And the Chesterfield, up to now, is so–That is–I imply– 

Raphael: Yeah, Chesterfields have develop into, like, extra widespread. I at all times like those the place you at all times have the tufting on the seat space, however usually occasions, they’re actually exhausting. I’m like, “No! I would like, I desire a comfortable one.” So, these are exhausting to seek out, however it’s a pleasant coloration, properly lived in. 

Meisun: A coloration that by no means no one wished so that is why I purchased it, as a result of I really like this orange-red coloration. And yeah, you discover the whole lot. We have now ties, Hermes ties, previous Gucci ties. 

Raphael: So that you’re not completely English. You’re additionally open to different issues. I see a Louis Vuitton trunk over there, type of rep stripes, polo shirts. 

Meisun: Yeah, so it’s primarily classical menswear, regardless of the place it’s from. The primary supply remains to be London, however it’s additionally the French vogue that I’ve within the retailer. If the standard is sweet, I purchase stuff. So, cashmere pullovers, pocket squares. Lanvin, from Paris. So, that is the opposite room: o, there’s some baggage such as you mentioned earlier than, some pilot’s jacket from the Second World Conflict. 

Raphael: And star-spangled banner.

Meisun: From a pal of mine who was residing within the US, and he gave it to me, and I believed it may match. I imply, the colours are lovely, and it matches superbly within the retailer. After which previous memento jacket for youths from Japan.

Raphael: I additionally seen is that it is a set, right? 

Meisun: Yeah, it’s. Yeah. 

Raphael: Lovely! I believe this one right here was right here after I was right here final, which was earlier than you owned the shop. May that be?

SOMETHING FAMILIAR

Classic Dressing Robe

There was classic dressing robe within the Rudolf Beaufays retailer right now that was already there when Raphael went there the final time!

Meisun: Yeah, it’s, it’s true. 

Raphael: It’s type of a woolen dressing robe with a–  You may see the moth holes, proper? [It] provides it that character. It’s virtually like a worn English rug.

Meisun: Precisely. 

Raphael: That very same idea. Did you paint all of it or did you simply depart it as is?

Meisun: I left it like that. So, as a result of I really like the British Racing Inexperienced, it’s inexperienced and daring, so that they make, for me…

Raphael: Most [of them] they make lovely colours. 

Meisun: Lovely colours, and I believe the British racing inexperienced, it matches with the shop completely 

Raphael: Completely! Oh, I like this coat right here. It’s virtually like a daring, brushed herringbone in this type of hacking pocket type, proper? 

Meisun: Precisely. It’s from from London. I acquired it a number of weeks in the past and it’s a extremely heavy one. What I’ve is also a British heat [overcoat], the final British heat that’s within the retailer for the second. 

Raphael: Is it, I imply, and now it’s winter, proper? So, persons are not that–  

Meisun: Yeah, they aren’t that eager on… No, it’s not that true as a result of they purchase, how do you say, anti–  

Raphael: Antizyklisch [German: in cyles]. 

Meisun: Yeah, they do. So, regardless of final yr how sizzling it was, they may purchase winter coats.

Raphael: , I had the identical expertise. I purchased a brilliant heavy winter coat in Dresden as soon as. Form of a, , flea marketplace for like 5 euros. And it’s great, , it was like in nice situation, however persons are not shopping for it when it’s like 34° C or like 100° F. [These are] some waistcoats right here?

Meisun: Yeah. 

Raphael: Are these promoting effectively? Are these widespread or not so widespread? 

Meisun: They do. They do. I’m shocked how widespread the whole lot is, that’s … regarding classical menswear. Even when the shoppers who are available via the shop are 25, 35. So, it’s fairly younger age, I might say. It’s … modified a bit of as a result of sustainability is an important half. So, yeah they promote fairly effectively, I might say, yeah.

Raphael: A few of these hats, they appear like they’re new, proper? So, you might have, is it like Christy’s? I believe I noticed a tag.

Meisun: Precisely, it’s nonetheless Christys’. I nonetheless purchase hats at Christys’ in London, so I make a listing, and so they ship me the whole lot, and I believe they take advantage of lovely hats. And they’re very good, very pleasant, and so they ship effectively, so it really works. Other than the Brexit, it really works rather well.

Raphael: So, what did you do earlier than you ran Rudolph Beaufays? 

Meisun: I’m a health care provider. Yeah, and I believed, [I] want a pastime. So, I used to be bored of the primary job that I did in a approach. 

Raphael: It’s exhausting work and I believe medical doctors in Germany, , they’re not paid like medical doctors within the US. No, they’re additionally not sued to the identical diploma, however it’s it’s a tough job.

Meisun: It’s a tough job, and corona didn’t make it higher. And yeah, and I used to be bored in a approach. I wanted one thing like Ausgleich [German: compromise, balance], I don’t know. 

Raphael: Yeah, simply to steadiness.

Meisun: Precisely, and I believed, “Oh, perhaps [I] may work.” I began the shop working nonetheless within the hospital, however then I reached some extent the place I mentioned, “Okay, it is a full-time job, and I’ve to surrender.” 

Raphael: No matter important job you might have, in any other case you’re employed an excessive amount of.

Meisun: Yeah, precisely.

Raphael: This was once what you probably did to get, like some steadiness in your life. What do you do now to get steadiness in your life?

Meisun: I really like the shop. The shop is the steadiness of my life. I find it irresistible. Once I go into the shop, after I open day by day, I’m so completely happy after I go into the shop, and I’m like, “That is mine,” and I really like discovering lovely stuff and the story behind each single piece. So, I’ve lovely tales. I purchased, a number of years in the past, virtually the entire closet from a man who was very well-known within the Purple Gentle district. 

PASSION FOR VINTAGE PIECES

Discovering Steadiness

Meisun was educated as a health care provider however enjoys basic type loads. She loves her retailer and finds pleasure to find lovely issues with lovely tales.

Raphael: What was his title? Do you thoughts sharing?

Meisun: Yeah, I cannot let you know, however he was fairly well-known. And he was the doorman of a really well-known striptease membership, and he died. And his nephew known as me, and he was like, “What do I do with the whole lot that my uncle owns? Every little thing, the garments, could be very English? Do you wish to purchase it?” And I purchased the whole lot. And yeah, so that is each single piece has a narrative. 

Raphael: Nicely, I’m glad that you just’re in a position to make this retailer work and that you just type of carried on that torch. 

Meisun: Thanks.

Raphael: As a result of it could have been a pity to lose a retailer of this caliber. 

Meisun: Yeah, it’s a beautiful retailer.

Raphael: I believe you additionally do a implausible job with like Instagram. Was it one thing that you just have been snug with from the start or did it’s important to study that …? 

Meisun: It’s tough as a result of I didn’t develop up with [the] web, so I’ll flip 49 this yr and … for all of the youthful individuals, it’s regular to be on social media … it was exhausting for me as a result of I used to be by no means that sort that wished to be uncovered, is that this the way you say it? 

Raphael: Nicely, I imply, you open up your self, proper? Which suggests you open your self as much as criticism, to individuals saying, “Hey, what is that this?” , it’s usually one thing unfair, or perhaps they’re having a nasty day, ? And it’s like, individuals say issues they’d by no means say in particular person, however with that type of … elevated privateness, like, individuals say issues that aren’t at all times good. It will depend on your character, too, proper? In case you’re somebody who takes issues too exhausting as a result of … you set a lot love and energy into it, perhaps even a nasty day, and nobody is coming via [the] retailer as a result of it’s raining, and also you’re like, “Oh, nobody loves me anymore!” As a result of, yeah, it’s–I can see that.

Meisun: So, it’s exhausting work, however I improve the quantity of followers, and I’m very completely happy about each single follower that follows me, and I really like the optimistic feedback below the no matter actual tales footage. And I get used to it. So, it was, to start with, [a] little exhausting, however I acquired used to it.

Raphael: So, what’s subsequent for you? What are you planning on doing? Do you wish to maintain it as is…?

Meisun: I’ve an concept in my thoughts for a really very long time to extend the shop a bit of so– 

Raphael: In measurement?

Meisun: In measurement, perhaps. My dream could be that I might open a retailer someplace else additionally, so perhaps overseas. So, as Rudolph Beaufays someplace [else].

Raphael: Okay, like a second department, so to talk? 

Meisun: Yeah, as a result of I’ve so many shoppers who come from all all over the world, so it’s not solely Europe. It’s from in all places, and so they at all times inform me,  “Oh, I might be so completely happy if I might have a retailer like that in my hometown.” 

Raphael: …are there sure cities that you just suppose like, “I’d like to be there!” 

Meisun: I would really like New York. I wish to meet Sean Crowley, for instance.

Raphael: Sure! He has an exquisite retailer, very comparable aesthetics, comparable merchandise. I believe you two hit it off. 

Meisun: I wish to. I believe that the shop has a giant potential and I didn’t do the whole lot that’s wanted to push the whole lot ahead. So, perhaps sooner or later. So that is the plan for the long run at the least.

Raphael: And are you involved about simply, ,  conserving to seek out these items which can be exhausting to seek out? ‘Trigger they’re one in all a sort, proper? You may’t produce extra of them…. Do you discover it exhausting? Is it enjoyable? Is it simple?

Meisun: It’s enjoyable. It’s simple. I imply, I had a pair yesterday; typically I purchase garments from individuals who come into the shop, and so they have containers, baggage full of garments. 

Raphael: So, what’s your course of then? They need to attain out to you and simply ship you some footage, and also you’re like, “Sure, that’s good,” or not? Or simply come? 

Meisun: They arrive they arrive into the shop with out an appointment. I don’t make an announcement wherever, so they arrive into the shop. And yesterday, I had a pair who got here in, and so they had a giant bag full of gorgeous ties. Very previous Hermes ties and bow ties, and I used to be like freaking out as a result of it was so lovely. And with each single tie that I checked out, you noticed the story behind [it], so that they have been chosen with love. And so, that is one thing that I’m so excited after I discover new lovely issues. And it’s, yeah–  

Raphael: It’s cool, proper? As a result of individuals come to you, they know you, after which you might have the stuff that in any other case could find yourself in a landfill as a result of they simply throw it out. Individuals don’t admire it, they don’t know what it’s, and it’s simply gone endlessly.

Meisun: Precisely, precisely. 

Raphael: And I really like wanting via previous tie designs, and you discover issues. After which wanting via your previous books and, like, recreating it’s exhausting. , as a result of typically the chemical substances are now not allowed, which is nice, , we don’t wish to harm our planet. However, typically, the weave–, the information of the best way to weave it, it’s now not there, proper? So, it’s stuff like that. There’s only a lot that goes into it.

Meisun: Yeah. There are such a lot of sources and so many lovely issues that I nonetheless discover and, yeah, I hope that it’s going to by no means cease.

Raphael: Nicely, thanks for conserving this custom alive. I’m simply in Hamburg for a number of days, however the very first thing we’re doing right here right now was coming to your retailer as a result of I reached out and mentioned, “Hey, can I come and have a look and see what you bought?

SHOPPING VINTAGE

Stuff with Tales

Classic procuring is pleasant, particularly if you happen to like uncommon items and wish to have a inexperienced and sustainable assortment. Chances are high, you would possibly discover actually nice offers at a fraction of the unique price ticket!

Meisun: Thanks a lot for visiting the shop.

Raphael: And it’s best to, too, if in case you have stuff. Attain out to Meisun. She’s actually responsive on Instagram: @rudolfbeaufays. And if you happen to don’t have something to promote, simply come right here and purchase one thing. In case you’re curious about basic males’s clothes, I’d be shocked if you happen to stroll out of right here with out one thing. And, now, I’m going to stroll round and search for stuff for myself.