A Man of Style. Meet The Hanoverian Gentleman.

Meet our first Don Sox Ambassador.

We’re thrilled to introduce you to our very first Don Sox ambassador. Meet Olaf Schaefer – @The Hanoverian Gentleman. Olaf is a successful businessman, social media influencer and great style icon (elegant, yet somehow traditional and not afraid to push the envelope). He’s also got a heart of gold. Just ask his wife-to-be and pretty much anyone else who comes his way.

Tell us a little bit about you.

I love suits and accessories like watches, sunglasses, ties, good rum, good food, cigars and of course, Don Sox! I am in love with nature and being in my garden. Also important to me is talking to people, laughing with them, collecting ideas and helping them overcome bad situations. I am a very happy guy and it is a pleasure for me to share the luck I have. But the most important part of my life is my partner. Without her, nothing I do would be possible.

When did the love for expressing your unique style start?

I was in the army for some years, so I learned to dress accurately. After that, jeans and shirts were just not enough for me. So I began to experiment with suits, ties, and business shoes, starting with browns, blacks and greys. The courage to make my style unique, with colour and different designs, started five years ago.

How do you choose what you wear every day?

Most days, I follow my instinct. When I wake up, it is in my head. Sometimes it is a complete outfit, and sometimes it is just an idea. Something I saw on Instagram or in a magazine. Then I go to my dressing room and just let it flow.

A cheeky question…why do you like Don Sox?

Don Sox is just unique with bright and noticeable colours. But it’s not as crazy as some other brands. It’s just perfect! I love having Sox´s for each suit and combination. Last but not least, I love the quality. You can feel the quality when you touch it. No other socks are as comfy as Don Sox.

When we first met in Hanover, you were planning to start a gentlemen’s club. Tell us about it.

We live in a time of great upheaval. I believe that if modern society is to face challenges such as digitalisation, globalisation and climate change, the most important thing is to find a way to deal with each other in a respectful way. We have to go back to established values such as honesty, sincerity, reliability and courtesy to overcome our differences. I wanted to give people a place where they can cultivate these virtues, even with clothes because being well dressed is the first form of politeness.

To help businesses affected by COVID, you started a project in 2020 called #hannoverjetzterstrecht. What was this about exactly?

This was a project to support Hanover and the surrounding area. It was based on digitally connecting people from the retail, cultural and gastronomy fields to build a strong community and share ideas for new shopping experience so they could keep their businesses alive. All in all, I wanted industries to go through the crisis together, and support each other in difficult times.

Can you tell us about men’s mental in Germany?

I think this is a really interesting question and hard to answer too. Every man is different. For me personally, it’s about being strong and able to protect the ones I love. In my view, real men are genuine gentlemen. To keep their mental health, German men do sport and outdoor activities like hiking, cycling and camping. A latest trend is growing their own food and doing everything more naturally.

Is there a time in your life that you have felt stressed out or down, and how did you overcome it?

I am an entrepreneur. Of course there have been various situations in which I was stressed or not in a good mood. The important thing is to have perspective. No matter what, I think we can always be attentive and keep our eyes open to see options and possibilities.

What are the 3 characteristics of a gentleman?

Honesty, reliability and respect.

What is your motto in life?

Everything is a decision. Always.

Who is your fashion idol?

Christoph Waltz (Austrian-German actor and director). He’s a special kind of guy – inspirational, with corners and edges. But solid and a real gentleman.

Isn’t he a great human being?