Intimate Connection Roya’s bei Motzigkeit/Hannover

A bright interior and a generous layout invite customers to linger at Roya’s.

Roya’s bei Motzigkeit/Hannover INTIMATE CONNECTION

Alvin Motzigkeit opened a store specialising in men’s trousers in the heart of Hannover in 1952. In 1991, his son Rolf continued the business. 20 years later, Frank Winkler, a long-standing employee, took over the store, which then specialised in premium sportswear, and modernised it once more. Now, for the first time in the company’s history, the Winkler family has added womenswear to its concept.

As the capital of Lower Saxony, Hannover is not only a shopping destination for neighbouring cities such as Wolfsburg or Braunschweig, but also has an above-average intake area. Immediately adjacent to the Market Hall and the Market Church in the city centre, one finds the store Motzigkeit in the same location as when it was opened more than 65 years ago. It is currently being run by Frank and Roya Winkler, the third generation. The menswear store covers approximately 160 square metres and stocks brands such as Daniele Fiesoli, Circolo 1901, Mason’s, and Phil Petter. The adjacent area for the new women’s concept was added by breaking through a wall. Thus, the two stores share the same front door. After returning from a short baby break, Roya Winkler, who came

to Germany from Afghanistan at the age of 13, implemented the concept with her husband Frank. “Many women who accompanied their husbands repeatedly asked us for a womenswear store based on our concept for men,” Roya Winkler explains. The range of Roya’s is broad, yet exclusive. As of the autumn/ winter season, brands such as No.1 Como, Blonde No. 8, Paul x Claire und Grace have been added.. The Winklers believe that the Panorama and the Premium are the most important trade shows. The orders are traditionally placed in Düsseldorf. Roya’s offers all product groups including knitwear, t-shirts, tunics, jeans, chinos, dresses,

Motzigkeit GmbH. Karmarschstrasse 40 Hannover/Germany, www.motzigkeit.de Opening: 5th of February 2018 Owner: Winkler family Store manager: Roya Winkler Employees: 3 Sales area: 58 sqm Brands: Aeronautica Militare, Barbone, Better Rich, Bianco, Blauer, Cambio, Candice Cooper, Colmar, Cute Stuff, Della Famiglia, Duno, Frogbox, Greywire, Ilse Jacobsen, Jun&Juli, Lucky de Luca, Mason’s, Miss Goodlife, P448, PJS, Sevendaywonder, Soulkantine, True Religion

Inseparable: Frank and Roya Winkler manage both stores as a team.

blazers, and jackets, as well as indispensable accessories such as scarves, belts, and bags.

WHAT BELONGS TOGETHER… “Most of my customers are seasoned, active, and attractive women above 30. They know what suits them and what they want to wear. Many of them are businesswomen, self-employed, doctors, or lawyers; most of them are married with children. They have a clear fashion style in mind. They combine chic basics to create a refined casual look with a touch of femininity and complement the outfit individually with jewellery and accessories. My regular customers prefer sporty, elegant, and casual looks. Some know what they want, others allow us to advise, surprise, and inspire them,” says Roya Winkler, herself the mother of a 4-year-old daughter. On the respective social media channels, which are operated in-house with the assistance of a photographer and an advertising agency, the customers are not only inspired, but also informed about regularly staged promotions and events. “We offer tapas and drinks every weekend. We usually have a DJ and sometimes a barkeeper serves cocktails or we present seasonal specials. We create a living room atmosphere in which customers feel comfortable, a location they enjoy returning to, albeit sometimes for no more than an espresso and a quick chat,” Roya Winkler explains and adds: “It’s important to me that the product range of Roya’s adapts to our menswear store Motzigkeit. When couples visit our store, they should match visually in terms of fashion.”

Style & Select/Bochum DIRECTLY OPPOSITE

The meeting point is Bochum Stiepel, about 10 kilometres from the city centre. This is where Stephanie and Bernd Gräwe opened their store named Style & Select 12 years ago. Five years ago, they launched Style & Select Man directly opposite. Bernd Gräwe jokes that one can wave at each other through the windows. The location, far from the turbulent, traffic-plagued city centre, is appreciated greatly, especially as the stores no longer rely on passing trade. Those who know Style & Select, have become accustomed to the free parking spot at the entrance. Stylistically, the owners’ relaxed attitude is reflected in their product range. Bernd Gräwe abandoned the idea of formal suits a while ago. He now focuses on sporty casual looks that orbit around the two core collections by Dondup and Stone Island. He believes that the world of men is defined by personal atmosphere: “We have customers who make appointments well in advance or simply stop by when they’re in the area. We enjoy having a beer with our customers. Sometimes we offer them a curry sausage. The football table is in the store for a reason,” the owner says. He is truly passionate about his business, which he is hoping to pass on to his son someday. In Stephanie Gräwe’s women’s boutique on the opposite side of the street, family atmosphere plays an equally important role. If possible, she invites her employees along to all order appointments - mostly in Italy. She strongly believes that decisions should be made together. In terms of product range, this translates into fashionable looks that combine the Italian elegance of brands such as Bazaar Deluxe with sporty elements from collections like Closed to create an expressive style. “I myself am quite sporty, but I strive to address the wishes of very fashionable customers too,” says Stephanie Gräwe. The Gräwe family has - quite literally - made a name for themselves that reaches far beyond Bochum’s city limits.

Stephanie Gräwe tends to find collections with a special fashionable twist in Italy.

Common cause, separate stores: Stephanie (left) and Bernd Gräwe (right) operate a women’s and men’s store respectively. Spatially, they are merely separated by a street.

Style & Select. Kemnader Straße 334, Kemnader Straße 327-329, Bochum/ Germany, www.styleandselect.de Opening: 2006 und 2013 Sales area: approx. 50 sqm and 100 sqm Employees: 3 Brands: American Vintage, Bazar Deluxe, Brigitte Herskind, Closed, Colmar, Destin, Dondup, Essentiel Antwerp, Faliero Sarti, Harris Wharf, Hugenberg, Ivi, Jumper, Nice Brands, Nine in the Morning, Paul x Claude, Philippe Model, Roqa, Semi Couture, Tagliatore, Zanellato