When French-born photographer Alexis Zavialoff, 35, first saw the former picture frame factory in Berlin’s Kreuzberg he knew he had to do something with the spectacular but abandoned room. The old furniture was still there: dark wooden shelves, glass showcases and rows of drawers waiting to be used again.
Zavialoff, who had previously been a distributor of rare international art publications in Switzerland, decided to turn the space into a magazine and bookstore – named Motto. “I stock only timeless selected titles and some fanzines – mostly about art, design and fashion,” he says. “Titles like May Revue from Paris, Cabinet from New York, Graphic from Korea or Wolf from Berlin.” Every few weeks Zavialoff hosts readings and vernissages in his shop. There’s even a bar in the back and a long table in the shop where customers can “sit and read for hours if they want” without having to buy.
02 The Exhibitionist: Focused on exhibition making and curatorial concerns
03 Fantastic Man: A gentleman’s style journal and a Monocle favourite since issue one
04 Gentlewoman: With ambitious journalism and a refreshing view on fashion
05 Apartamento: Dwellings of creative individuals