Assouline’s new Mexico City book to inspire your trip

‘Mexico City’ by Aleph Molinar and Anfisa Vrube is a journey through the cultural landscape, Aztec history, cuisine, architecture and community

Man on horse and woman at clothes stall, from Assouline Mexico City book
Left: Exploring the craftsmanship of Mexico City’s architecture on horseback Right: Clothing with traditional Mexican embroidery for sale at La Ciudadela market.
(Image credit: Left: EyeEm. Right: Brian Overcast)

Built on Aztec history, Mexico City has a rich cultural history worth recounting over and over again. Highlighting this cultural legacy is the latest addition to Assouline’s ever-growing ‘Travel Series’, Mexico City by Aleph Molinari and Anfisa Vrubel.

The beautiful monograph, filled with stunning images and interesting stories, covers the vast cultural landscape of one of the oldest inhabited settlements, and celebrates its contemporary cinematic appeal.

Mexico City book by Aleph Molinari and Anfisa Vrubel

Assouline Mexico City book cover

(Image credit: Courtesy of Assouline)

Mexico City is wrapped in folklore and creativity, a constant source of inspiration for artists and creatives alike. The new book guides readers on an in-depth tour through boldly painted architecture in a rainbow of warm colours, shaded side streets hosting make-shift altars, and intricate textiles draped in local markets.

Archive image of young women in local dress

Young women, outfitted in traditional costumes, attend a folk festival in Mexico City, circa
1910

(Image credit: Gircke/ullstein bild/Getty Images)

Day of the Dead decorations on steps, amid candles

An assemblage of Día de los Muertos decorations

(Image credit: Gary Parker)

Molinari, who was born in Mexico City and is now based in Paris, and Vrubel, who lives between the Mexican capital and New York, delve into Mexico City’s indigenous, pre-Hispanic beginnings in the 14th century, and explore its distinctive colonial architecture with a Spanish baroque aesthetic, and the use of native materials such as cantera and tezontle (types of volcanic stone).

Cactus plant outside orange-painted house in Mexico City

Brightly coloured still life of a cactus in Mexico City

(Image credit: Trent Lanz/Stocksy)

Also celebrated are landmarks such as Diego Rivera’s Anahuacalli Museum and architect Juan O’Gorman’s Cave House, along with local cuisine, the city’s art scene, and festivals such as Día de los Muertos.

Miniature pyramids as part of outdoor fountain

A collaboration between architect Ricardo Legorreta and artist Vicente Rojo, País de
Volcanes, is a fountain consisting of over a thousand pyramids in a shallow pool

(Image credit: Felix Lipov/Alamy Stock Photo)

Person in Day of the Dead skeleton make-up

A participant takes part in the parade, starting from the Zócalo and ending in Paseo de la
Reforma, during the Día de los Muertos, 2017

(Image credit: Carlos Tischler/Shutterstock)

Colourful decaying buildings

San Rafael

(Image credit: Carl Campbell/Unsplash)

Woman in headdress

From Oaxacan photographer Enrique Leyva’s series Realismo Mágico II

(Image credit: Enrique Leyva)

Townhouse interior

Inside the Mexico City townhouse belonging to interior designer DirkJan Kinet

(Image credit: Pablo Zamora)

Assouline Mexico CIty

Inspired by Carlos Fuentes’ Where the Air Is Clear, Vicente Rojo created Pérgola Ixca
Cienfuegos in Polanco

(Image credit: Frank Nowikowski/Alamy Stock Photo)

‘Mexico City’ by Aleph Molinar and Anfisa Vrube is available from Assouline.

Tianna Williams is the Editorial Executive at Wallpaper*. Before joining the team in 2023, she has contributed to BBC Wales, SurfGirl Magazine, and Parisian Vibe, with work spanning from social media content creation to editorial. Now, her role covers writing across varying content pillars for Wallpaper*.