In 1974, Stephan Conzen met Graham Hill by chance at the Nürburgring.
He was to leave a lasting impression that decades later would inspire the Graham Hill line of grooming products. Here Stephan shares his memories about that day and the story behind the name.
“The story starts in 1972 when I visited my first race at the Nürburgring in Germany. Back then, I had no doubt that I would be a famous racing driver however that day, my biggest question was ‘How do I get to the pit lane?’
My secret strategy
Today, my secret strategy would be impossible since an intrusion to the paddock is as difficult as fleeing the German-German border before the reunification. Back then it worked just fine and would go like this.
On a Friday morning you would be standing at the gateway to the paddock; looking out for exotic sports cars, because chances were good that you would spot one of the race drivers inside.
If you recognised someone you would wave and try to stop the car, call the driver by his first name, express your adoration and ask, if it’s possible to join him on his way to the paddock.
That always worked at least once. You would then crawl on the back seat and hide behind a blanket to not be discovered on your way through the security check. Once arrived in the paddock, you would cordially thank the driver, follow him until he arrived at his team and sneak out of his box to the pit lane.
A champion and a style icon
Using this strategy, I was able to attend 15 different races but only ever had to pay for one; and it was to be this strategy that allowed me to meet the man who became such an inspiration to me.
In 1974 I met the late Graham Hill ; in front of the paddock at the Nürburgring racing track in Germany. Coming face to face with a two-time world champion, the winner of the Indy 500 and the 24 hours of Le Mans was a huge deal. That one and only meeting with the great man left an indelible impression on me.
He was part of a very glamorous time. You know they called him Mr Monaco. But there was something more, which fascinated me: his charisma perhaps. I was just 15 years old, and Graham Hill quickly became my incarnation of a British gentleman and that has stayed with me to this day.
A legendary sense of humour, manners and elegance.
Later, I read about his fine sense of humour, his legendary dinner speeches and his effortless style. I don’t think I was mistaken from my one brief meeting with him that he was something special.
I didn’t become a racing driver, but one year later I met the Austrian racing driver Franz Konrad and for some years was part of his team management during the sports car world championship.
Of course I am still a great racing fan today, but my professional life took a different course and as head of international professional salon brand Glynt, we started to develop a range of grooming products for men. Our goal was to create high-performance products, inspired by the timeless and authentic style that is synonymous with the British gentleman.
For me, there could be only one name for this new range.
The one who had brought elegance, style and glamour to the world of motor racing. But also, the grit and determination to work his way up through the ranks and become a world champion. The style Graham Hill exuded isn’t stuck in a bygone era. It’s still as alive and relevant today and can speak to all men, no matter who they are and what their circumstances are.
Live fast. Style slow.
Graham Hill was certainly fast around a race track, but he knew the importance of good preparation – both on and off the track. He would never be seen in public looking anything other than sophisticated, debonair and perfectly groomed.
When we approached Graham’s family; they immediately agreed with the idea. And with their blessing and in tribute, the great man’s helmet emblem – the three oars of his former London Rowing Club – became the brand’s logo.
The family’s reaction was wonderful.
Damon said directly: “This is something that my father would have liked, because he was always so conscious of his appearance. He would never leave the house without being perfectly in shape”. Echoed by his daughter Brigitte who told us recently “He always trimmed his own moustache. I don’t remember him letting anyone else near it!”
by Stephan Conzen, Founder and CEO of GLYNT