As a world-renowned fashion photographer, Mariano has an eye for uncovering amazing places. Crediting his 20-year love affair with London for shaping his creativity, his collection of unmissable places to eat, drink and watch the world go by reveal a unique and personal portrait of the city.
London with Mariano Vivanco
Photographer
Location Gail Smith Flowers
‘Gail Smith Flowers on Liverpool Road is the most amazing florist I’ve ever met; her passion for flowers runs deep.’
279 Liverpool Road, London N1 1LX
Food & Drink Sunday
‘Every weekend it has queues outside it around the corner — it’s so good.’
169 Hemingford Road, London N1 1DA
Food & Drink Trullo
‘I absolutely love being in Islington because of places like Trullo.’
300-302 St Paul’s Road, London N1 2LH
Food & Drink Tierra Peru
‘I’ve taken some fancy people there and they’re practically licking the plate.’
164 Essex Road, London N1 8LY
Location Sadler’s Wells Barbershop
‘Across the road from Sadler’s Wells Theatre is my trusted barber Michael, at Sadlers Wells Barbershop. It’s just brilliant!’
110 Rosebery Ave, London EC1R 4TL
“…in London everything was vibrant. You could just go to Soho to escape any drudge or sadness. You could just have fun in London. People were kind, it’s racially varied and vibrant. I love that. I still do. It’s part of what I love about the city. London made me feel at home from day one”
On London in one word
Love.
On moving to London
I took a world trip to decide which city I liked better. I had friends in both, but when I went to London, I woke up one morning and while walking through a little town, I remember thinking, ‘God, this feels so good.’ And then, in sharp contrast, I went to New York and I didn’t think the vibe was as nice. I realised it was very hard living there, even in the year 1999, whereas in London everything was vibrant. You could just go to Soho to escape any drudge or sadness. You could just have fun in London. People were kind, it’s racially varied and vibrant. I love that. I still do. It’s part of what I love about the city. London made me feel at home from day one.
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On the best things to do and see in London
I live on the edge of Islington in a place called Barnsbury. There’s a hole in the wall-ish Peruvian restaurant, very authentic, called Tierra Peru on Essex Road. I’ve taken some fancy people there and they’re practically licking the plate. It’s always booked, which is great — it makes me happy. I also love Trullo, the Italian restaurant in Highbury and Islington. And Sunday on Hemingford Road, where every weekend it has queues outside and around the corner — it’s so good.
Gail Smith Flowers on Liverpool Road is the most amazing florist I’ve ever met; her passion for flowers runs deep. The iconic dance theatre Sadler’s Wells Theatre on Rosebery Avenue is simply breathtaking. Last time we went was to watch my good friend Rafael Bonachela’s choreographed piece. Then directly across the road from Sadler’s Wells is my trusted barber Michael, at Sadlers Wells Barbershop. It’s just brilliant!
On how London shaped your creative vision
Coming to London peeled me like an onion. It stripped me right back. I went from being this glitzy, pseudo-glamorous photographer that drove a nice car in Auckland, 23 years old, to coming to London and starving because London is not going to let you in that easily or that quickly. You have to work to stand out, and rightly so. So I stripped back my photography, and this informed my new brainwave and my new mindset for work, which was to get to know somebody on a deeper level and take very clean, classic and very beautiful photos of people.
A must-do activity in London is afternoon tea. Although it can be expensive, we’ve found the top 3 where you can spend £40 or less and still get the royal treatment: The Wolseley (Piccadilly), Zetter Townhouse Clerkenwell and The Ivy Chelsea Garden.
On your Peruvian heritage
I was born in Lima, Peru in 1975 and I lived there until I was five. Peru inspires me. The culture’s very dense and very vibrant, and there’s incredible mythologies, like the story of the Incas, that you can’t help but imagine when you’re young.
On defining home
I’m going to have to stick to my guns and say I’m a son of Planet Earth. I feel just as tight with the warmth and love that New Zealand gave me as to the strong heritage that Peru gave me as to the home that I consider the UK. I feel like I’m from these three places, and I’m good with that.
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On your inspirations
At the very beginning I gravitated to the classics like Edward Steichen and Horst, then I expanded my taste. Irving Penn is still the ultimate, as well as Helmut Newton and Richard Avedon. And I have to say, I love artists like Picasso and Van Gogh. Picasso in particular, because I think he could do no wrong. Every colour scheme he had, every period he had — it’s always in my mind.
On the influence of your roots
If you look at other Latin photographers’ work, you really see their cultural references a lot more clearly than you see mine. Because I’ve been uprooted all my life, I like to think my true essence is a connection with the model and the beautiful soft light and a deeper meaning with the photograph, not necessarily a cultural look.
On future projects
I’m doing a project for Peru that will include a book coming out next year, and I’m really excited about it. It’s going to put me through my paces, but I want to give something back to Peru.
On life mottos
Positivity and belief have gotten me not just where I am, but will take me where I want to go. We’ve all had ups and downs, and hypnotherapy has helped me. When I envisage the future and where I want to go, I think of the flower on the cover of my book Portraits Nudes Flowers. Those colours represent passion, future and optimism, and through my mind I guide myself to where I want to be.
“‘London is not going to let you in that easily or that quickly. You have to work to stand out, and rightly so.’”
next stop: London
Creators
Joey Yu
Illustrator
Our born and bred London illustrator reveals a surprisingly green city. Take a tour with Joey around her favourite hidden parks, one-of-a-kind trinket shops and royal tea houses for a true insider look at the city.
Astrid Stavro
Graphic Designer and Speaker
Over the last 14 years, Astrid has collected some of the best-kept secret spots in London. From restaurants among the clouds, hidden museums and fine-dining French bistros, you won’t want to miss these next time you’re in the city.
Ali Alvarez
Film Director
Creating documentaries all over the world, Ali has a knack for seeking out the story behind the story. That’s why her insider guide of London features overlooked and hidden cinemas, cafes and markets she’s uncovered much closer to home.
For more exceptional creators, visit www.exceptionalalien.com
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