MORE THAN DAPPER

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF THE TERM “DOPAMINE DRESSING”? A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE RECENTLY INTRODUCED ME TO THE PHRASE THROUGH A COMMENT UNDER A PARTICULARLY QUIRKY OUTFIT I’D THROWN TOGETHER AND POSTED ON INSTAGRAM. SHE WAS RIGHT, I DID FEEL GOOD THAT DAY.

One person who’s taken the art of dressing well to feel good, and making others feel a sense of joy in the process, is a gentleman known by the name of Citoyen Port. Port, short for Portelli, is a historybounder, whose preferred style of dress happens to be the Regency era (circa 1795-1820 - talk about vintage!) and his unusual mode of self-expression is rooted in his deep appreciation for the past.

Once he’s shelved the nine-to-five, Citoyen Port holds court in his preferred stomping grounds of Valletta, dressed up to the nines in meticulously chosen pieces designed by the wearer himself. We’re talking waistcoats, frocks, breeches, walking sticks and riding boots, which makes for a fabulous first impression.

Nothing is bought off the shelf, instead, Port designs his custom glad-rags and has them made to measure by his trusted tailors. The process is a long one and takes months of research, sketching and sourcing of historically-accurate fabric. Everything from footwear to headgear is taken into account by the wearer, and the results are head-turning to say the least. He has a button seamstress and perruquier in the UK, and a hat maker in Germany. It’s safe to say that this Maltese maverick has an eye for detail, and his passionate planning makes for a feast for the eyes.

In an architecturally rich capital city like Malta’s Valletta, which is often described by visitors as being akin to an ‘open air museum’, Citoyen Port has ample opportunity to make the most of the many photo-ops the location provides. Photographers flock to take his portrait in the majestic ballrooms that once hosted aristocratic functions from the very timeframe he adores, and, when sashaying down the boulevards of the city, even strangers will stop him in his tracks, eager to find out more. He readily obliges to photo requests. Onlookers are, on the most-part, encouraging, curious and perhaps even a little motivated by Port’s accomplishment to break the mould of humdrum appearances. Citoyen Port’s interest in de-modernising his wardrobe is his own way of countering fast fashion by resorting to clothing made of organic fabrics which are durable and last a lifetime. He is even currently looking into launching an entrepreneurially-related venture later this year!

As a person, Citoyen Port is an avid music lover, activist and a non-conformist. Even his other hobbies are out of the ordinary, and include archery, horseback riding and adventuring out of town to historical places of interest such as battlegrounds and fortifications, both in Malta and abroad. His many tales of backpacking and sightseeing to far-off lands such as Uzbekistan and Sudan, and recently the island of Elba to visit the residences of the exiled Emperor Napoleon, make magnificent conversation pieces for friends and tourists on his encounters in his beloved city, who he relishes in meeting at his favourite jazz bars, frequented by similar bohemian, philosophical types.

Citoyen Port feels most at home on his trips overseas to historical costuming festivals such as Venice Carnival in February and this year’s Jane Austen Festival, which will be held in Bath, England, come September. These opportunities to meet like-minded people have been waited on with bated breath by the historical costuming community, which has thankfully been kept alive and kicking throughout the pandemic. In fact, solitary time has given folk even more encouragement to lean into their own interests and sartorial preferences, and platf orms like Instagram and TikTok have been of immeasurable importance for building a sense of belonging for people with shared interests. “I think it’s nice when you brighten someone’s day up like that, who in turn encourage you in what you do,” Port says, adding: “I also receive direct messages on my Instagram account from time to time, from people telling me that they enjoy my content and are inspired to do the same- this is also a goal of mine.

By sharing this hobby I hope to engage others and encourage them to take it up, and not necessarily fashion of this era.” Baroque-on, Port!