"NOCTURNAL DREAM," a photo exhibition celebrating the 20th anniversary of Paris-based fashion magazine Purple Fashion, is being held at THE LAST GALLERY in Shirokane, Tokyo, until Sunday, December 16, 2012. The gallery, painted purple and black, features works by photographers with ties to purple, including Daido Moriyama, Hiromix, Takehide Niitsubo, Takashi Homma, Anders Edström, Chikashi Suzuki, Masashi Sanai, Masataro Suzuki, Noritoshi Hirakawa, and Olivier Zahm, editor-in-chief of Purple Fashion. To the right of Olivier's corner, a photograph of a Japanese man by Anders Edström hangs, bearing the words "RIP (=REST IN PEACE)." He was Olivier's dear friend and a continuing source of inspiration for Olivier, serving as a bridge between Purple and Japan. The late Hayashi Fumihiro, editor-in-chief of the magazine "DUNE," was a key figure in his work. We spoke with Olivier at the gallery the day before the exhibition opened.

■First, please tell us your thoughts on the exhibition.

I feel very happy. It's a wonderful exhibition, and I love the graffiti inscribed with the artists' names. It matches the photographs so well. I have to take some photos.

Japan was a source of inspiration for us when we started the magazine 20 years ago. That's why I'm so happy to be back in Tokyo and to celebrate Purple's birthday.

Also, this gallery was founded by my old friend Charlie (Hayashi's nickname). It was him who introduced me to so many photographers and various people in Tokyo. I hope to continue working with more people from Tokyo. This exhibition isn't just a celebration of Purple's 20 years of history; it's also a new beginning for me.

■Can you tell us your memories of Hayashi-san?

We slept on his messy desk, went to the sauna, went to restaurants and karaoke together. He always showed me the best of Tokyo. Food, hot springs, saunas, camera shops... He also saved my life when I almost got into a fight with a photographer in Tokyo (laughs).

■I imagine it must have been difficult to continue a magazine for 20 years. What's the secret to your continued success?

It's because I loved it. It didn't matter whether we were successful or not, I just loved fashion and magazines. Magazines are my whole life. To me, making a magazine isn't work; it's a part of my life, just like reading, running, eating, or sex. Everything I do is for the magazine. All of that becomes part of the pages. That's what life is like for a magazine. I don't think it will end until I die.

I'm a writer, artist, photographer, and editor. I'm always thinking about the next issue. I always want to create something better next time, and I'm never satisfied with the status quo. It's not a job, it's pure love. 20 years have passed since I started wanting to create something better next time. Time flies, and it's hard to believe it's been 20 years already.

[Event Information]
"Nocturnal Dream" Purple 20th Anniversary Show Supported by Louis Vuitton
Dates: Friday, November 30th, 2012 to Sunday, December 16th, 2012
Opening Hours: 14:00 to 20:00
Closed: Wednesdays
Location: The Last Gallery
Address: 3-1-11 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0007