From graffiti to fame: André Saraiva or his alter ego Mr. A doesn’t really need an introduction. The man who started tagging Paris at a very young age managed the transition to become an established artist, club owner and now art director of L’Officiel homme. This success is probably due to André’s warm personality and an open and positive attitude to life. “There is nothing to be afraid of and everything can be explored.“

If you are looking for a trendy hang out in Paris, you will probably end up in one of André’s clubs or restaurants – from the cozy Hotel Amour, to La Fidelité, and Le Baron or Montana. These places have transformed the Paris nightlife. Currently André is opening a Baron in NYC and London.

We met André in his apartment (with a 360° view over Paris) during a photo shoot with his best friend Olivier Zahm. The photographer and face behind Purple magazine is for André a constant source of inspiration and the incarnation of avant-garde. Olivier started as an art curator and André admired Olivier’s eclectic taste and vision. When you open the bi-annual publication Purple or browse through Purple Diary you will understand – Olivier is different, instinctive and almost inhibited. The Purple magazine became a platform for photographers like Juergen Teller, Terry Richardson, Wolfgang Tillmans, and Mario Sorrenti. He showed their anti Photoshop sleek high-end fashion aesthetics and developed a new movement and counterculture in fashion.

With his sunglasses and cigar he may at first appear arrogant and difficult to approach – but Olivier is a free spirit with a vision bigger than his ego. He publishes a fashion magazine, yet his projects and mission is more cultural. He works constantly and most preferably with his friends – like André or Carine Roitfeld (Olivier published her book IRREVERENT) and is always ready to capture a special and real moment with his camera. (Olivier Zahm photographed our black and white portrait of André.)

Production Katharina Kowalewski / Filming Julien Véron & Ludovic Zuili / Photos Olivier Zahm / Editing KO Fashion / Music BUNNYSTRIPES