Kitsch for kitty, old for new |
Set designer Rolf Buck creates dream worlds
Dusseldorf – Many Düsseldorfers know his cult decoration shop “Vaseline” near Carlsplatz. What very few know: Rolf Buck (50) has founded a real creative empire in the last 25 years.
As a set designer and stylist, he is booked by directors and photographers all over the world. “My style isn’t for everyone,” says Buck.
Creative head Rolf Buck (50) in his boutique in Düsseldorf
Giant flowers for singer Beth Ditto (41), 1930s pot backdrop for national goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (36), a cozy bedroom for presenter Sylvie Meis (44): If it is to attract attention, the Düsseldorf jack-of-all-trades will be brought in.
Buck conjured up XXL flowers with shoe blossoms for XXL singer Beth Ditto
As the son of a Norwegian mother and a captain from Bremerhaven, Rolf Buck spent the first years of his life on a boat, sailing around the world. Then he went to the Waldorf boarding school and ended up in Düsseldorf at the age of 21 – because of love. He has a permanent place at the flea market on Aachener Platz. Buck likes to make new bizarre objects out of old things.
He was supposed to build a kitchen backdrop for TV chef Enie van de Meiklokjes – and made a hat at the same time
Until “Vogue” stylist Karin van Noort (79) discovered him and hired him as an assistant. “I learned everything from her.” Today, Rolf Buck can create brand new (and mostly colorful) worlds at the touch of a button.
Rolf still raves about goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and his beautiful underwear during the shoot
“Three components are always there with me: something old, something alive and something homemade.” One of his best experiences: a project with moderator Palina Rojinski (37). “We designed a rug ourselves and spent hours cutting patterns into it by hand,” says Buck.
The fact that he broke his foot when he fell off a ladder does not cloud his memory in any way. Everything is fabulous in Rolf’s world.