Ask May-Britt where she prefers to shop and she will answer Bonmarché in Paris and Players in Haarlem. I have never been there, but seeing the lovely items she brings every time, that needs to change soon, very soon. To warm up, I am interviewing the owner (and thus also buyer) of this shopping paradise, Rob Sintenie, today.

You have a multibrand store, Players Haarlem. You've had it for a long time and it remains fun. How do you do that?

‘Sometimes I say goodbye to brands; I don’t want to linger too long in the same atmosphere. But I also try not to sell one-season items. From affordable to expensive. For example, I have a really nice French brand, Iro, which has a very acceptable price for young girls. Donna Karen Collection is also my favorite. That is more for the more mature woman. I find them so beautiful in the Donna Karen Collection. DKNY has been a bit medium in recent years, but has been renewing a lot lately. They are now collaborating with Opening Ceremony, and that works really well. I will soon receive a really nice brand from London. It’s called Shrimp; they have great jackets in very bright colors. I think fake fur really fits this time. If you buy something from me, you will enjoy it for years. That’s my goal.’

What is your favorite shopping city?

‘I go to New York for the big department stores and I like to go to the Meatpacking and Bowery neighborhoods, which are very hip and emerging areas. In London, I shop in Notting Hill at small boutiques.’

Your favorite labels?

‘I am a big fan of a new Italian brand, MSGM. It’s mix and match and incredibly booming in Italy. It has recently become available at net-a-porter.com and mytheresa.com. There is no logic in the collection, but they have incredibly funky items. It’s very high fashion, but still reasonably affordable. I still find Tom Ford and Pucci really beautiful.’

You often come to Milan for work. What is your route there?

‘I always love an old-fashioned grand hotel with a nice hotel bar to end the day and admire how everyone is dressed. And secretly get a bit annoyed why we don’t have that in the Netherlands. I usually sleep at Principe Di Savoia. I have lunch at Papermoon. A very busy Italian place; you have to wait in line, but it’s definitely worth it. In winter, I have truffle pasta, in summer pasta with grilled vegetables. By the way, I also love Nobu; it’s not very Milanese, but it’s one of my favorites. For inspiration, I have enough from the windows at monobrand stores, but in multi-brand stores like Excelsior, I can happily browse for a long time.’

You really love food?

‘In Amsterdam, I really like to go to Le Garage. I always order something different or let myself be surprised by the specialty of the day. I think it’s the most international restaurant in Amsterdam. The atmosphere is so nice. Always a party. For lunch, I like to go to Haarlem. Café Colette has a bit of the vibe of George in Amsterdam. There, I order the grilled chicken or pulpo.’

Do you also cook yourself?

‘Yes, I love it, from a simple stamppot to lobster or chicken from the oven. I am currently experimenting a lot with the Big Green Egg. It’s a kind of barbecue, but a bit more luxurious, simpler, and the dishes turn out much better. Also handy because you don’t have a mess in the house. Recently, I put a pineapple in it to caramelize or steamed oysters. Delicious.’

What do you do to relax?

‘Sounds silly, but a bit of gardening. Today I’m wearing an old shirt, shorts, and I’m messing around with the pressure washer. That’s real relaxation for me.’

What is the ideal gift for a man?

‘The Big Green Egg. Seriously, every guy loves barbecuing. It’s my new hobby. Super gift.’