This Real Estate Broker's Closet Is The Perfect Mix of Luxury and Streetwear
Chris Heyn on retail fashion companies, personal style, and purchasing his first rolex.
Being a CBRE commercial real estate broker living in New York City, Chris Heyn spends most of his time dealing with banks and retail fashion companies like Wells Fargo and Tiffany & Co.
Doing such top notch brands the service of assisting them in finding new spaces, negotiating their leases or renewals, and advising them on the current state of the market is no easy task so it also makes sense that Heyn also spends fairly judged time enjoying life’s other luxuries — leisure travels, hamptons weekends, and access to New York’s most exclusive music and fashion events.
When it comes to fashion, and personal style, Heyn idenitifies with how a large group of men all over the world seemingly prefer to dress these days — casual wear mixed with elements of streetwear. Today, it’s a Fendi sweater and minimal chinos, tomorrow, it’s a Supreme hoodie and a logo decorated Bape sneaker. Describing his style, he says, “I wouldn’t say by any means I am a ‘hypebeast’ because that takes a lot more dedication. I think I’m a bit more classic but with a little bit of hype mixed in there”.
In continued reference to the world of fashion as someone who enjoys “pushing boundaries but in a contained scheme”, his precept is the same as ever: Take risks and try things out. If it doesn’t work at least you know where your center is.
It is to be assumed that it is because of this same energy that Heyn has amassed over 30,000 followers on his self curated pop culture instagram account, Beefwand, a thriving career, social life, and closet. It also helps that he’s one of the sweetest gentlemen you’ll ever meet. If you happen to catch sight of Heyn, we assure you’ll be noticing him in some Bapes or BBC Ice Creams.
Keeping reading for Heyn’s favorite pieces, his thoughts on investment buying, who his favorite designers are, how he develops his closet and more.
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Take risks and try things out. If it doesn’t work at least you know where your center is.
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Sweater, Fendi
Khakis, Club Monaco
On his earliest recollection of personal style:
“I would say as early as 3rd or 4th grade, I started paying much more attention to what I was wearing. As funny as it sounds, I wanted to be the first in my school to have and show everyone Nike Shox when they first came out. That developed more as I got older, but around that young age I watched a lot of MTV, VH1, and BET, and would find ways to get some of the t-shirts that bands or artists had in the music videos I was watching. I found ways to mix sports jerseys and athletic wear with more more skater and west coast active wear. Once I was in high school, I started taking the train into the city with my friends to go to shops and bounce around soho. At the time, we would frequent BAPE, Kid Robot, BBC Ice Cream, and some other more streetwear related shops.”
Jacket, Versace
Hoodie, Supreme Box Logo
One of my favorite pieces would have to be my original Supreme grey Box Logo hoodie I bought in 2010. I have since cut a tear in the neck which totally devalues it of course, but I wanted to make it cozy and mine. I love cool hoodies and sweaters so much.
White Jeans, Frame
My favorite thing to wear is a pair of sneakers or loafers with nice fitting denim. I wear white jeans a lot year round, and then like to wear a more interesting top. Something more retro or designer or ironic.
On his go to style essentials:
“I am big on outerwear, and have collected some great Moncler pieces over the years. Another thing I have always been obsessed with is footwear. Soccer was a huge part of my life until I was about 20 years old and even then. I had amassed an unnecessary collection of cleats by the time I stopped playing. That bled over into sneakers and loafers for me. My black Gucci loafers with the king snake on them were big for me when I first got them a few years ago, and I’ve had an affinity for Gucci loafers ever since. They make the most comfortable loafers. My favorite sneakers right now in my possession are either Maison Margiela replicas, or BAPE Skull Sta’s. Both are pretty classic and inconspicuous.”
On personal style being more significant to his experiences, and interests:
“It is much more driven from my experiences and interests. I’ve always wanted to have a new interesting piece or brand to show before the masses got to it. I would like to think among my friend groups, I have shown them quote on quote “trends” as they were just beginning. Style and fashion mean much more to me than a day to day accessory to my life. It’s memories, and a compilation of what makes me who I am.”
Loafers, Gucci
On the designer he’s currently obsessed with:
“Nigo. I think he’s a genius. Also, so impactful on streetwear culture around the world. I know he’s not the head creative for a big fashion house, but being the creator of BAPE and having that vision to then start BBC Ice Cream, and now Human Made, is so cool. He is almost like an earlier version of Virgil. I have so much respect for him and think it’s really cool how he tapped Pharrell early.”
On the fashion closet he would raid if he has to choose anyone in the world:
“Good question. I would probably have to say my boyfriend’s closet in the Hamptons. We have a bit of an overlapping style and enjoy a lot of the same pieces. He has more high end classics like Brunello Cucinelli where I have a bit more hype wear. Also, the closet is just grand and can fit so much more than a New York apartment.”
Impulse shopping vs. Investment shopping:
“I’m more of an investment buyer I would say. With a lot of things, I weigh my options and think about what I really like. I almost think too much. I rarely will buy something on a whim. It sounds fun to be more impulsive, but I’m just not really wired that way. If it’s something of significance, I will think about it usually for a few days before actually acting on it.
This year, I actually bought my first Rolex. I knew what I wanted and had been circling a Pepsi GMT from the 90s for a while, and finally pulled the trigger on one. I wanted a ’92 for my birth year, but a sweet ’98 came up in pristine condition in my kill zone on Bob’s Watches, so I went for it.”
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It sounds fun to be more impulsive, but I’m just not really wired that way.
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Turtleneck, Rossignol
Jeans, DL1961
On jewelry:
“It’s about what it reminds you of, whether its past or future. Like my signet ring for example, I received as a graduation gift from my grandfather, and he has a copy of the same one he wears every day. I have two little bracelets I wear on my right hand, and one of them is a small chrome hearts chain link that one of my best friends gave to me one day when I told him I liked it and have been wanting something like it. My other is a small Hermes leather bracelet that my boyfriend and I both have. So, it all has to have meaning for me”
On his ideal dinner guest and what he would be wearing to:
“Either Playboi Carti or Kanye West but I’m leaning towards Carti. He’s one of my favorite artists and his energy and style is so cool to me. He’s very original. “Lost” and “Broke Boi” are still some of my favorite tracks of his. Dressing for the occasion would be hard, but I think I would keep it somewhat simple and wear a VLONE t shirt, some black jeans from Frame, and maybe go get some Rick Owens DRKSHDW high tops. If it’s cold, I’d wear my dads retro shearling coat from the 80s he gave me - that’s pretty fun.”