Mathieu Reumaux
Today's interview is with a Frenchman, Mathieu Reumaux, who currently lives in Lima, Peru. He is the co-founder of design studio Ma+Go. I met Mathieu in his office in Miraflores, at the headquarter of magic.
What is Ma+Go about?
"The name comes from our first names, MA for Mathieu and GO for my Peruvian business partner José Antonio Mesones, known as Goster.
Mago also means a magician, the one who creates magic" explains Mathieu.
Mathieu's first contact with Peru was back in 2001, when he visited the country for a school project, while studying at ESSCA business school in Paris. "I was fascinated by Peruvian culture, and I also found this vintage esthetic in traditional clothes that I later wanted to develop into a clothes brand". In 2002 he met Aurelyen, and together they Misericordia, a brand that offers ethic, quality clothing for men and women. "Back at the time, it was the beginning of the fair trade trend in clothing industry, and our first client was concept store Colette in Paris". Since 2006, Aurelyen is alone in charge of Misericordia and Mathieu has worked on other projects being away from Peru for some time. In 2009 he met Goster.
"Goster was one of the founders of Peruvian surf and culture magazine Aqua, and he has been working in many international art and graphic design projects. He has also received a special prize for his design of Peru Mucho Gusto book, from the jury of Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. He proposed we should create a studio together, and so we did." In 2009 Mathieu also met his future wife, and he decided to stay in Peru.
"We have colaborated with many musicians. We made, for example, the record cover for Grammy nominated Peruvian group Bareto. When dub artist Mad Professor (best know for his colaboration with Massive Attack) came to Peru to record with Arequipan cumbia band Los Chapillacs, we designed their album cover. We are also behind the poster of the world music festival Siete Mares."
"At the moment one of our important projects is Art Latino. It aims to promote and develop Latin American contemporary art and provides a virtual platform and an online magazine presenting works of Latin American artists."
In addition, Ma+Go is also creating a new image and designing the boutique of Peruvian surf and skate clothing brand Dunkelwolk, and working with Peruvian photography collective Supay. "With Supay, we are making a photography book, which will be sold -among other places -at MATE (Fundaçion Mario Testino) store in Barranco."
How it is to start an enterprise in Peru, as a foreigner? What are the challenges and the advantages?
"There is much to do here on the creative side. Peru is inspiring because it is visually different, there is a relatively easy access to resources and for example in our field, printing is more accessible.
But there comes the challenge, too: if you only look for the cheapest materials and production costs, you are likely to encounter some problems with the quality of your products. So you need to pay attention to that, to the quality, and perhaps pay a little bit more to make sure your products meet the quality standards. Also, as we sell in Europe in euros, and here in Peru the currency is eiher Peruvian nuevos soles or US dollars, you have to keep an eye on changes in different currencies. Sudden changes in the rates can make you lose lots of money."
Any other advice for people who want to start a business here?
"Yes, find a good accountant! He can be your best ally. There are many complicated laws related to business, and a good accountant knows about them and can also be your advicer, whereas a bad one can make you lose money. Not on purpose, but simply as he does not know enough. So don't hesitate to spend more money to find a skilled accountant."
How about Lima: where to eat, what to do, where to shop?
"As a Frenchman I must of course recommend the French restaurant Hervé in Miraflores (Calle Atahualpa 195). Their tasting menu is probably the best I have tried here. It costs I think about 180 soles and you have to book it in advance, but it's worth it! I also like their plate Magnet de pato d'Oxapampa."
"Bodega Verde in Barranco (Sucre 335) is a nice place to have a coffee or tea."
"For buying French products such as cheese, I recommend DeliFrance (several addresses in Lima; see website) and you can also find good cheese at Bioferia organic market (every Saturday Calle 15 de Enero, also in Surco in Parque de la Amistad). Oh, and in Bioferia they also sell these blue potato chips made of native potatos, they are delicious!"
"Bodega Verde in Barranco (Sucre 335) is a nice place to have a coffee or tea."
"For art, I recommend the classic, Museo de Larco (Av. Bolivar 1514, Pueblo Libre), and the new Modern Art Museum, MAC (Av. Grau 151) in Barranco, whereas for shopping I really recommend to visit the outlet store of Misericordia, La Cabaña de Alta Costura (Mariscal las Heras 658, Lince). It is more than a showroom, you can really get to know the fabrication process there."
And if you want to spend a day or two outside of Lima? Where would you go?
"To spend some time in the nature, I like Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve at Lima region. It's a protected area, and you can hike there. You will find lagoons and waterfalls."
Très bien -merci beaucoup, Mathieu!
What is Ma+Go about?
"The name comes from our first names, MA for Mathieu and GO for my Peruvian business partner José Antonio Mesones, known as Goster.
Mago also means a magician, the one who creates magic" explains Mathieu.
Mathieu's first contact with Peru was back in 2001, when he visited the country for a school project, while studying at ESSCA business school in Paris. "I was fascinated by Peruvian culture, and I also found this vintage esthetic in traditional clothes that I later wanted to develop into a clothes brand". In 2002 he met Aurelyen, and together they Misericordia, a brand that offers ethic, quality clothing for men and women. "Back at the time, it was the beginning of the fair trade trend in clothing industry, and our first client was concept store Colette in Paris". Since 2006, Aurelyen is alone in charge of Misericordia and Mathieu has worked on other projects being away from Peru for some time. In 2009 he met Goster.
"Goster was one of the founders of Peruvian surf and culture magazine Aqua, and he has been working in many international art and graphic design projects. He has also received a special prize for his design of Peru Mucho Gusto book, from the jury of Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. He proposed we should create a studio together, and so we did." In 2009 Mathieu also met his future wife, and he decided to stay in Peru.
"We have colaborated with many musicians. We made, for example, the record cover for Grammy nominated Peruvian group Bareto. When dub artist Mad Professor (best know for his colaboration with Massive Attack) came to Peru to record with Arequipan cumbia band Los Chapillacs, we designed their album cover. We are also behind the poster of the world music festival Siete Mares."
"At the moment one of our important projects is Art Latino. It aims to promote and develop Latin American contemporary art and provides a virtual platform and an online magazine presenting works of Latin American artists."
In addition, Ma+Go is also creating a new image and designing the boutique of Peruvian surf and skate clothing brand Dunkelwolk, and working with Peruvian photography collective Supay. "With Supay, we are making a photography book, which will be sold -among other places -at MATE (Fundaçion Mario Testino) store in Barranco."
How it is to start an enterprise in Peru, as a foreigner? What are the challenges and the advantages?
"There is much to do here on the creative side. Peru is inspiring because it is visually different, there is a relatively easy access to resources and for example in our field, printing is more accessible.
But there comes the challenge, too: if you only look for the cheapest materials and production costs, you are likely to encounter some problems with the quality of your products. So you need to pay attention to that, to the quality, and perhaps pay a little bit more to make sure your products meet the quality standards. Also, as we sell in Europe in euros, and here in Peru the currency is eiher Peruvian nuevos soles or US dollars, you have to keep an eye on changes in different currencies. Sudden changes in the rates can make you lose lots of money."
Any other advice for people who want to start a business here?
"Yes, find a good accountant! He can be your best ally. There are many complicated laws related to business, and a good accountant knows about them and can also be your advicer, whereas a bad one can make you lose money. Not on purpose, but simply as he does not know enough. So don't hesitate to spend more money to find a skilled accountant."
How about Lima: where to eat, what to do, where to shop?
"As a Frenchman I must of course recommend the French restaurant Hervé in Miraflores (Calle Atahualpa 195). Their tasting menu is probably the best I have tried here. It costs I think about 180 soles and you have to book it in advance, but it's worth it! I also like their plate Magnet de pato d'Oxapampa."
"Bodega Verde in Barranco (Sucre 335) is a nice place to have a coffee or tea."
"For buying French products such as cheese, I recommend DeliFrance (several addresses in Lima; see website) and you can also find good cheese at Bioferia organic market (every Saturday Calle 15 de Enero, also in Surco in Parque de la Amistad). Oh, and in Bioferia they also sell these blue potato chips made of native potatos, they are delicious!"
"Bodega Verde in Barranco (Sucre 335) is a nice place to have a coffee or tea."
"For art, I recommend the classic, Museo de Larco (Av. Bolivar 1514, Pueblo Libre), and the new Modern Art Museum, MAC (Av. Grau 151) in Barranco, whereas for shopping I really recommend to visit the outlet store of Misericordia, La Cabaña de Alta Costura (Mariscal las Heras 658, Lince). It is more than a showroom, you can really get to know the fabrication process there."
And if you want to spend a day or two outside of Lima? Where would you go?
"To spend some time in the nature, I like Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve at Lima region. It's a protected area, and you can hike there. You will find lagoons and waterfalls."
Très bien -merci beaucoup, Mathieu!
MaGos visit cards. Each card presents a different project. Photo © Juan Martin Cabrejos
"Magic is the illusion of the impossible, and there is always an element of surprise, a surprise hit, a modest revelation. But in magic nothing is left to chance." Ma+Go website
Mathieu Reumaux, photo © Juan Martin Cabrejos
 MA+GO, photo © Juan Martin Cabrejos |  MA+GO, photo © Juan Martin Cabrejos |
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