“Wallstrasse is a piece of home for me.”

Provocative. Colourful. Fun. Rolf Buck is the face of Wallstrasse – and a unique and well-known personality in Düsseldorf. For 25 years, the set designer and stylist has been running Vaseline on Wallstrasse, one of the most unusual shops in the city, offering quirky home accessories, extravagant sunglasses, jewellery and his own eccentric creations. The style of the 51-year-old Düsseldorf native, who stars in a TV show about decorating and travels the world in search of inspiration, is as dazzling as his shop. But Rolf feels most at home in his little street the middle of Düsseldorf’s Old Town. The creative all-rounder reveals his personal insider tips to us here.

Your shop on Wallstrasse, Vaseline, has been around for 25 years. What does this little piece of Düsseldorf mean to you?
This is where I’ve lived here for many years, made friends and met the love of my life. And I’ve experienced a great deal here too – seen well-known shops close and new ones open. My best friend and mentor, stylist Karin van Noort, lives here. I love coming to Wallstrasse at any time of year. It’s a piece of home for me.

The street is quite hidden. Even some locals don’t know about it. How would you describe Wallstrasse to a stranger?
Individual, headstrong, cosy. Wallstrasse is a hidden gem in the centre of Düsseldorf’s Old Town and perfect for anyone looking for something special, whether it’s a good restaurant, a specialist boutique or just a nice café. There are lots of independent shops, two second-hand shops in the shape of The Mintage and Vin Perium, and the best record store in the city, Hitsville. There’s even a watchmaker and a violin maker with a workshop. Where else can you find something like this, situated right in the heart of the city? Compared to the hustle and bustle of the Old Town, Carlsplatz and Flingerstrasse, Wallstrasse is very idyllic.

How has the street changed over the years?
Lots of lovely shops have disappeared, like UIli’s leather shop with its hand-sewn leather bags and army gear – that was an institution. Or the Karma jewellery shop. Everyone was so friendly, it was like we were one big family, I do miss that. There was also this popular electro record store on the corner – the one and only Diesel Store – and a gay bar called Wespennest. I used to pick up tourists there during the carnival season. Even though all of these old places are gone, I still like gentrification and now I can get a pistachio croissant just around the corner! (laughs).

What is your best memory from that time?
There was once this handsome young guy in my shop and I plucked up all my courage to speak to him, but all I came out with was a pretty stupid “Are you from Hamburg?”. He wasn’t. However, he came back every day after that and we’ve been together for 20 years now! Raphael is big inspiration for me and a great support. He’s brought a lot of order into my life and the shop, He’s got a great nose for business and is very creative at the same time.

Who else have you met on Wallstrasse?
Elke Heidenreich once came to shop at Vaseline. I used to sell bubble dispensers that I had covered with naughty pictures. She complained about it, but ended up buying some. Barbara Schöneberger comes by often, we’ve worked with her several times. She always comes in without wearing any make-up so that people don’t immediately recognise her. The problem is that we then don’t recognise her either! (laughs) Freddie Mercury’s brother is one of our customers and likes to talk about his youth. And Priscilla Presley was there two days in a row, with her bodyguards. On the first day she just looked around, on the second day she bought loads of jewellery.

Vaseline has a cult following. It’s not just celebrities who shop here, Düsseldorf natives and tourists alike love your shop for its quirky range of interiors, decorative items and accessories. How did it all start?
I used to have a second-hand clothing stall on Aachener Platz, was looking for a shop and finally found one in the Wallpassage arcade. Then, in October 1998, I opened Vaseline – on just 18 square metres, with second-hand clothes and a few home accessories from the 70s. When it became too small for me, I moved a few doors down to number 33, a large garage where I was finally able to sell furniture. Vaseline then moved three more times on Wallstrasse and finally, a year ago, to the former Karma jewellery shop. The premises include our pop-up space opposite, which hosts different temporary stores, events and exhibitions every three months.

You also work as a successful set designer and stylist and are currently furnishing a hotel in Frankfurt. What inspires you and how much of it can we find at Vaseline?
People inspire me, I like to observe the little things about them. Travel interests me. Shop windows, boutiques, cities, flea markets – everything and everywhere there is something to discover. I’m always on the lookout for things that catch my eye or that I think are unusual. Then I bring them together. Whether jewellery, lamps, sunglasses or home accessories, whether new, vintage or homemade, everything I sell at Vaseline reflects my personal style.

You’ve been in the public eye throughout Germany for two years – as one of the interior designers on Die Deko Profis, a TV show on VOX. Have you had more people coming to Vaseline since you started doing the show?
Yes, I’m now shooting the third season, and I just love decorating kids’ rooms and kitchens in a creative way. Since I’ve been doing the show, fans have been coming by and wanting me to sign things they buy in the shop. Recently, a woman came all the way from Münster, bought a vase and asked me to write ‘Rolf Buck loves you’ on it. I did of course. But I also notice that influencers who post stories from the shop on TikTok and Instagram attract a completely different, younger generation. We also have a lot of tourists among our regular visitors who come back every year.

So you’re on Wallstrasse almost every day when you’re not traveling the world as a stylist, set designer and TV star. Do you have any particular rituals when you’re here?
First of all, I get myself a coffee at Rösterei Vier. They even make my own coffee creation called ‘Rolf’. It’s basically a double espresso with oat milk, but what’s special is that the cup is lined with caramel sauce beforehand and they pop a single ice cube in! And that’s it. That coffee’s not on the official menu but anyone can order it.

What is your favourite way to switch off at the weekend?
On Saturdays after work, Raphael and I grab an Aperol spritz at San Leo across the street and we often eat there. The fish platter is always fresh and extremely tasty. Raphael loves the skate wing. I recommend the salmon or tuna tartare as a starter. But the pasta at San Leo is also delicious, especially the ravioli with gorgonzola, nuts and figs.

Have you got any more insider tips for us?
For a while, I ate ice cream from Pia every day – I consider them to be an extension of Wallstrasse. I swear by egg liqueur ice cream and ice cream made to look like spaghetti with pistachio sauce. Another go-to is the pizza with anchovies, capers and olives at La Candeletta. When you sit outside, you almost feel like you’re in Italy. And the Wallstrasse Schneiderei is the only tailor shop for me. I get all my clothes altered there – and that’s a lot of clothes!

What else would you like to see on Wallstrasse?
There’s an enchanting little church with a very pretty courtyard just next to Rösterei Vier. I wish there was more going on there, like concerts or readings. I would also love to see a Wallstrasse festival – with a fashion show, a flea market and food stalls.

When is Wallstrasse at its most beautiful?
On Saturday afternoons, when it’s warm and people are strolling down the street or sitting together chatting in the restaurants and cafés. And at Christmas time too, of course.

rolfbuck.de

Text: Karolina Landowski
Photos: Kristina Fendesack