I have been searching for just the right line of small leathergoods for the ASW store for a couple of years now, and my recent visit to Paris had as one of its objectives finally coming face to face with the mysterious Vassant Faugoo, the genius behind Beynat et Janniaux.
Beynat is not very well known in the United States but the firm claims to employ about fifty people who make wonderful things from ostrich, alligator, lizard, python and stingray. I say apparently because I have never been able to get in contact with them. They do not respond to emails sent to the address on their web site, nor do they return telephone messages, at least not those left by men in San Francisco. No problem, I thought to myself, when presented with my irresistable charm surely we will be able to talk about doing business.
At any rate, on my shopping day in Paris the other day I hired a car and driver and made the not inconsiderable trek out to rue Montiboeufs in the 20th to see Beynat for myself. The workshop is up a small alley, and after knocking on that door I was directed to another, unmarked entrance behind which I was promised lay the office. I duly rang the bell and after a short wait was greeted by a woman. I told her my story, visiting from San Francisco, blah, blah blah and she responded that I had to have an appointment. When asked how I could be expected to get an appointment when no-one returned emails or telephone messages, she repeated that I needed an appointment. When asked if I could make an appointment for the following day she responded that I needed to call.
Perhaps it was the wool challis bow tie worn with a pin striped suit. Or it could have been the pigskin tassel slipons. But I am still looking for just the right line of leathergoods.
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7 comments:
Hilarious, if frustrating. It's also typical of the eccentricities that cause so much bureaucracy here in Europe. Filling in a form in order to receive another form you need fill in is not an unusual state of affairs.
Welcome to the dark side, Will. Continental Europe, for all it's modern appearance is a gothic cadaver. Elegant, if admired from afar, but you can't come here without first being presented by someone else.
You need a personal introduction to do real business in Europe. All the social network, email and exotic websites in the world are a veil of modern witchcraft which most continental Europeans will always distrust. Growing up in your neck of the woods, I learned this the hard way.
Not unlike the Chinese and other Asians, Europeans, especially talented artisans, eschew the business mode of the Anglo American culture.
I hope it works out, but I would recommend another approach...waiting outside for hours... offering a coffee, and then, approaching the subject after several months of courtship. Welcome to continental Europe...
Were you saying all this blah blah San Francisco stuff in French?
One more thing...to most continentals, your presentation makes you look like your a sort of tax man... stripes? never outside of the center...
They're fighting a war on taxes in Europe that makes the 'war on terrorism' look like child's play.
Tweed jacket and grey flannel might have worked better...
'Gothic cadaver' might be a bit much. We're not that backward. However, I do suggest letter writing - good old-fashioned paper mail, which often gets a response (even if it might have a delay). It seems to me that people feel a lot more guilty about ignoring letters people have taken the trouble to compose.
I know actually flying from one continent to another ought to trump that, it's a bit perverse.
I bought some leather bags from a shop in Florence. When I returned to Australia friends wanted to buy some too. So I called the shop and left messages in English and Italian and sent several emails. Nothing. I had met the owner and we shared a glass of Chianti together so I'm not sure if your advice would work CG.
I sympathise. This kind of thing used to happen to me when I first moved here 12 years ago, here being Frankfurt. But as if by magic, once I learned enough German to communicate, doors just seemed to open themselves. That woman must have been having a bad day /week / life and enjoyed her brief moment of power. Sadly she is now disqualified for this years Miss Congeniality competition.
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