tastemakers

Magnus Berger and Tenzin Wild Get Drunk, Make Magazines

Almost one year ago, Magnus Berger and Tenzin Wild debuted the first issue of The Last Magazine, an aptly named journal considering the state of publishing. Despite the shaky economy, Berger, a former art director at Baron & Baron, and Wild, who worked at Visionaire and Box Ltd., decided to use their artistic skills and fashion-world connections to create a glossy, oversize, biannual mag. The pair also run a design firm together. We sat down with Berger and Wild to discuss their new fall issue, a mutual affinity for jeans and tees, and how neither man ever leaves home without a credit card.

How did you get decide to start The Last Magazine?
MB: I was working for Fabien Baron and decided I wanted to start a magazine where I could do whatever I wanted. I asked Tenzin if he wanted to do it with me, and he said “YES!” We had a few bottles of prosecco and figured it out that night. We ended up starting our design firm, Berger & Wild, right after that.

What can we expect in the fall issue?
MB: It comes out in September. It’s sort of a collection of our favorite inspiring people: musicians, artists, architects, models, designers, a choreographer, a director, a tattoo artist, an actress.
TW: The third issue is out this fall, and we are both very excited about it. We have some really great talent featured in this issue — both the contributors and the subjects.

How did you first get into fashion?
MB: I had a lot of friends that kept on telling me I had a good eye for this, so I thought I should just give it a shot. I asked Fabien if I could start working for him and he said yes.
TZ: An internship at Visionaire.

What’s the inspiration behind your own look?
MB: It’s not that inspiring.
TW: Simplicity.

What pieces or labels do you wear most?
MB: Jeans. I like Cheap Mondays because jeans should be cheap, while shirts and jackets you can spend money on. I have these Common Projects boots that I wear a lot, and T-shirts from Unis on Elizabeth Street. I’m quite skinny and tall, so it’s more of a challenge to find something that fits than anything else.
TW: I like wearing jeans and tees. I wear affordable labels, mostly. When I dress up for a special occasion, I wear a suit or just a jacket, but always black.

What was the first designer item you bought or wore?
MB: I have no idea.
TW: I think that might have been Armani.

Who are your favorite designers?
MB: I liked what Hedi Slimane did for Dior Homme (the skinny look). I also like Riccardo Tisci, Rick Owens, Helmut Lang, Raf Simons.
TW: Men’s designers — I look a little silly in dresses.

Where do you shop in NYC?
MB: The Army Navy store.
TW: In my own closet. I keep wearing my old stuff over and over again. When I do shop, there are some good little men’s shops in the LES.

Name an item you can’t live without.
MB: My guitars, books, and a camera.
TW: I don’t think I am attached to items.

Finish this sentence: I never leave the house without …
MB: My phone, keys, and credit card.
TW: My credit card and my I.D.

Magnus Berger and Tenzin Wild Get Drunk, Make Magazines