The independent ready-to-wear brand Goodvibes, located at 66, avenue Grand-rue in Strasbourg, at 57, on the same street, in its men’s version, celebrates its 30th anniversary. A look back at this long-running adventure with its tireless founder and pioneer, Laurent Zentz.
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11:57 | Updated at 6:17 PM
There are those who remember having bought their first velveteen there in 1997, those who are part of the landscape, those lucky ones who have not yet pushed – but will soon – the door of this Strasbourg nugget! Goodvibes is a concept store ahead of its time. Cheerful, colorful outfits, original accessories, a bit of décor, and plenty of gift ideas have kept the brand on the corner of 66, Grand-rue alive for 30 years. but also the 57th, for four years and for these gentlemen; Not to mention the Elan shoe maker, St Thomann, which was taken a few years ago. And without forgetting the Colmar version, which opened a few weeks ago, like icing on a birthday cake!
Nothing, however, prepared Laurent Zentz, its creator, to embark on such an adventure. “I was mainly in catering,” recalls the man, who did his apprenticeship at the Kochersberg inn in Landersheim, before he traveled for a while. England, Bermuda, Canada… On the streets of London you have to look for the trigger. “I was 18, spoke no English and had no money; but the fashion there infuriated me at once. It was crazy stuff!” he recalled.
“I think I lived through a revolution. That’s why I’m here!”
“When I was back, in the early 90s, the techno movement, often associated with fashion, was just emerging. In both areas, there was little going on in Germany; but in France, where the 501 jeans appeared, it was plain, grim. In 1993, we had the idea to open a clothing store with a friend, Mathieu Roth. I think I’ve experienced a revolution. That’s why I’m here!”, he sums up.
Without money or experience, it is to luck – and to the confidence of the landlord who has agreed to give them a precarious lease – that they owe this space of about 70 square meters on the corner of Grand-rue and rue des Meuniers. Laurent Zentz then trained with CCI, got a plane ticket to London and returned with “garbage bags full of clothes”. He also brings back rap and techno. That’s why there has always been music in the store, which was originally called Color Box! »
After 24 months, the duo moved into a real lease, outfitted their basement, saw a series of DJs on turntables, and started selling snowboards and vinyl records, as well as men’s clothing imported from England. “T-shirts, sweatshirts, little bags; we only had little labels! I walked around a lot and as soon as I saw something I liked, I bought it. In magazines Identification card or the face There were classified ads of stores. I took advantage of the fact that I speak English so well to go see them and bring back new things you can’t see anywhere else! »
own collections for 15 years
After that, things took shape and the boutique started launching its own collections. Born in 1995, Goodvibes approached local graffiti artists and young designers to create models, sourced supplies from Velcorex, and expanded its range… In the stores, you can find everything, from socks to coats, for men and women. “We were the first streetwear store in Strasbourg! Manufacturing continued – in Vosges, then in Portugal – for fifteen years, before stopping in 2010, except for a few coats, “because the business was not good and the shop had to be stabilized first,” says Laurent Zentz.
Now alone at the controls, he attempts to open up at Nancy’s, but is “planted by the saleswoman”. Gradually, he manages to reassemble the Strasbourg store, until he decides to add another store. Fortunately, the large sign across the street is free and will make a perfect setting for these gentlemen.
Moral orientation
From the very beginning and even more so in recent years, the two stores have taken an “ethical orientation”, “because behind the clothes, there are people who make them!”. Laurent Zentz, 56, is preparing to completely redesign the women’s store, “like every ten years, because we always have to innovate.” He’s keeping his hatches open, lender on the side of Spain and Portugal, and dealing with Brexit that put an end to the London strip. He also maintains his independence, always choosing to stage his own pieces as a “personal show”; Surfing for hours on the web and in living rooms. Working on feeling and trusting, he distills his good vibes to customers who reciprocate and join him to blow out 30 candles. And if there is a real recipe for success?
Goodvibes, 57 and 66, Grand-rue in Strasbourg. www.goodvibes.fr
