Edits / Luxury
Expo 64: Taxi!
Hail a cab from a Tokyo taxi firm whose white-gloved drivers are drilled everyday in what to say to customers, how to clean their cars and how to take real pride in their job.
64
June 2013
Transport Special: Get a move on! How to get the world on the road. The visionaries, mavericks and clever types rethinking how to get you from A to Z by train, boat, plane and the odd trike too.
Business / Urbanism
To lathe ’n’ dye in LA
In a city untroubled by a reputation for putting quality before surface sheen, a quiet revolution is taking place as manufacturing workshops flourish once more. Monocle visits the LA makers who are reviving the artisan…
Culture / Newspapers
A press for change
As editor-in-chief of ‘El País’, Javier Moreno has made it his publication’s responsibility to drive social reform on a national level as well as maintain an international standing as the foremost Spanish-language newspaper…
Affairs / Emerging Markets
Serbo-charged
Its disastrous wars of the 1990s left Serbia locked out while other former Eastern bloc nations enjoyed the European party. Now, as its creative and business talent discards nationalist fantasies, the world is catching on…
Edits / Travel
Eat, drink and be ferried
As part of our travel round-up in this issue we visit a restaurant in Madrid intent on promoting the unappreciated nuances of English food, a Chinese brewery educating locals in the delights of a glass of craft beer and a…
Culture / Music
Fresh beat
J-pop and K-pop, step aside: Thailand’s indie scene is taking to the stage with a new wave of young bands doing their own thing – and doing it well. Monocle signed up for front-row tickets.
Design / Fashion
Cutting a dash
Hectic, hot and chaotic, Bangkok is the steamy backdrop for our fashion story. Stay cool on the run across town and take everything the city can throw at you in your stride. Men’s stylist Takeharu Sato Women’s stylist…
Culture / Arts
Art market briefing
A gallery in Brussels, Russian art auction in London and art-collecting in Turkey.
Edits / Travel
Treats in store
One-stop shopping in the Japanese capital gets a luxurious makeover as the owners of the prestigious Midtown spruce up their offer.
Design / Interior design
Home zone
Some of Japan’s best assets are its architects and designers, and their know-how is ripe for exporting. A new exhibition in Tokyo showcases the best ideas for the house of the future.
Business / Manufacturing
Thanks for the rides
Work is fun, literally, for Italian firm Zamperla, which has been making fairground rides big and small since the 1960s for places ranging from Coney Island to Pyongyang. Monocle fastens its seatbelt.
Design / Furniture
Design briefing
Our verdict on this year's Salone del Mobile and a round-up of the best in show.
Edits / Travel
Saint-Gilles
With its beautiful, spacious art nouveau houses and cosmopolitan feel, Saint-Gilles is proving a draw for those looking for fresh pastures.
Business / Provenance
New World Order
Adrian Cheng is CEO of one of Hong Kong’s largest businesses, with fingers in all kinds of pies. But, he says, it’s easy juggling responsibility when you have the right team supporting you.
Edits / Food & Drink
Food briefing
A teashop in Toyko, our favourite coffee makers, a New York wine merchant and a star dish from London.
Design / Manufacturing
Giant leap
Dutch company Gazelle has been making beautiful bicycles since 1892. As the firm pedals into the 21st century with technical upgrades and a move into e-bikes, Monocle was talked through the tried and tested methods of a…
Edits / Food & Drink
Colourful character
As well as being the front man of Swiss electronica band Yello, Dieter Meier grows hazelnuts and owns three restaurants – one of which is Ocho Once.
Affairs / Media
Looking on the bright side
Identifying positives in the wake of the Iraq war is a difficult task at best. Yet the music, journalism, art and television shows emerging from the Kurdish city of Sulaymaniyah suggest that optimism can be found if you…
Culture / Media
Media briefing
Hong Kong's art-film channel celebrates its first birthday and gallery guides get smart.
Edits / Food & Drink
Modena man
Chef and restaurant owner Massimo Bottura is the perfect ambassador for the producers and specialities of his home town.
Affairs / Politics
Europe Briefing
Sticky situations in Bashkortostsan, the height of anxiety in Seville, and election excitement in Albania.
Culture / Books
Culture briefing
This month's collection of music, books and film and our culture editor's thoughts on the future of the bricks and mortar art gallery.
Affairs / Society
Americas briefing
Why Argentina's president leaves the Boeing at home, why Chile is feeling British and why Brazilian admen are feeling relieved.
Culture / Arts
Man of few words
Oslo’s art scene has been getting a much-needed facelift with the opening of independent galleries and a brand new art neighbourhood in the making. We stopped by the studio of big-time art rebel and writer Matias Faldbakken…
Affairs / Transport
Africa/Middle East Briefing
Who's in charge of Somaliland's skies, which nation is rolling in Grasse, and who's going to get Iran's top job?
Business / Architecture
Living the wood life
The work of the Zimmerer, or carpenter, in Germany is steeped in tradition and their skill in restoring old timber houses is much in demand. We meet the master and his apprentice who is training for a way of life, not just…