Alyssia Lou: The New Art Director of 032c on Chris Marker, Mad Max, and Ebay
ALYSSIA LOU
ART DIRECTOR AT 032c
We dive into the brilliantly eclectic mind of the French art director, tracing her path from the suburbs of Paris to the helm of one of Berlin's most influential fashion magazines.
In the meticulously curated world of fashion and design, few roles are as pivotal as the Art Director of 032c. It’s a position that demands a singular vision, a deep cultural literacy, and the ability to shape the visual language of a generation. Stepping into this role is Alyssia Lou, a French creative whose journey from Bondy—a Parisian suburb she wryly notes is “more commonly known as Mbappé’s town”—to the epicenter of Berlin cool is as compelling as her taste. With a master’s in graphic design and stints in London and now Berlin, Lou brings a refreshingly intellectual and wildly eclectic sensibility to the forefront. We were captivated by her unique inspirations and her thoughtful approach to her craft.
A Deeply Eclectic Well of Inspiration
Ask Alyssia Lou about her influences, and be prepared for a thrilling, globe-trotting journey through film, music, art, and the depths of the internet. Her list is a manifesto in itself:
Cinephile's Delight: Chris Marker’s narratives, the twisted codes of Mad Max: Fury Road, the flirting scene with a graphic designer in Michael Mann’s Heat, and the culinary focus of Tampopo.
Musical & Artistic Worlds: The lost Cambodian rock’n’roll scene of the 60s, Sun Ra’s afrocosmic visions, the energy of Angkor Wat, and Sister Corita’s social activism.
Design & Theory: Dieter Roth’s radical bookmaking, Kenya Hara’s study on white, and the hilarious 18-inch Stonehenge prop from This Is Spinal Tap.
The Quirky & Profound: The rejected flag proposals of New Zealand and the EU, Georgia O’Keeffe’s handwriting and recipes, and last, but certainly not least, Ebay.
This isn’t just a list; it’s a map of a mind that finds meaning everywhere, from the highbrow to the deeply vernacular.
The Work That Defines a Practice
When asked about the work she’s most proud of, Lou highlights two significant projects that represent both her process and her personal ethos.
In terms of process, it’s the book JOMOHOMO, designed in 2016 with collective Åbäke about artist Ingrid Hora. "It was a refreshing and significant experience... that moment in time defines my way of approaching design, of working, and of communicating today."
On a personal level, her contribution to IDEA Magazine №386, 'The Advantages of Being a Woman Designer', was "extremely liberating." This points to a creator who values both collaborative experimentation and the power of personal, critical voice.
A Year of Adjusted Rhythms
Reflecting on the past year’s global shift, Lou offers a characteristically sharp and witty adjustment to the famous French phrase for the daily grind: “métro-boulot-dodo – minus the métro.” It’s a perfect summary—the work (boulot) and sleep (dodo) remain, but the context and the commute have fundamentally changed, forcing a new, more insular rhythm that many can relate to.
Alyssia Lou represents a new wave of creative leadership: one that is intellectually voracious, culturally dexterous, and unafraid to find inspiration in the margins. Her appointment at 032c signals a thrilling new chapter for the publication, promising a visual language built on a foundation of deep curiosity and razor-sharp wit.
To witness the evolution of 032c under her direction, follow their journey on Instagram @032c.
California Dreaming, a film by Sreylin Meas, produced by Anti-Archive.
Reposts of 20 YEARS, a 28-page fold-out in the issue №38 of 032c, on the occasion of the magazine’s 20th year anniversary.
