FASHION STATEMENTS

Masso Nordin

When one finds joy in fashion, dressing oneself becomes a pleasure. Sadly, there are few among us who dare to break the unspoken rules of attire, but there are a few mavericks among us.

Masso Nordin, a Swedish national who moved to Malta a while back, has a lengthy portfolio in SEO to go with his unique sense of style. From steampunk accessories to crispy cool ecru suits to snakeskin sneakers, Masso says it with a statement, and by God, does he carry his curations well. Not only is there a playfulness to his style, but there’s also an infectious sense of confidence, minus any toxic swag that may come with the wearer of such bold garments. This point brings us to the topic of peacocking, something which the soft-spoken yet assertive Masso evidently has no interest in.

“Peacocking has never been my objective. I don’t dress the way I do out of a need for attention. I make the choices I make because in them, I find something that speaks directly to me. The attention that comes with it after is entirely secondary.”

As an avid fashionista, Masso can quietly smell desperation from a mile away, and he’s not a fan of centre pieces which are clearly donned just for show. “It’s tacky.” But it must be said that there isn’t a single judgemental bone in his body. On the contrary, our conversation is dominated by his advocacy for individual expression, for experimentation, and for an indulgence in sartorial fantasies, whatever they may be.

Hailing from the minimalist mecca that is Stockholm, Masso notes the stark contrast between fashion-conscious but clone-esque Sweden, and Malta’s own lacklustre care for couture. Should we blame it on their polar-opposite climates? Perhaps, but there seems to be a common denominator: the avoidance of colour, thus quashing any chance of standing out. Masso’s wardrobe historically defies this. “When I was 16, I realised that I was never going to look like everyone else anyway, so I went with whatever I felt like. Your perspective changes when you realise that there’s no point in trying to fit in. So, I decided to wear whatever catches my eye.”

At 6ft 3, Masso finds it futile to peruse Malta’s limited sizing options. He’s very much an online shopper, and sources his pieces from esteemed outlets such as Ssense. He goes for edgy collaborations, such as Y-3 Yohji Yamamoto x Adidas, and you’ll also find a Dolce & Gabbana suit as well as Casablanca numbers nestled in his closet. But he does like to mix it up through some high street sourcing, namely his brother who works for H&M. Indeed, fashion is in his blood; his mother used to teach the subject, and he distinctly remembers her dismay for his father’s outfits.

When it comes to dressing for the job, Masso’s very fortunate to be working within a relaxed environment. But he also knows how and when to exercise his self-expression. “I wouldn’t wear sequined jeans to work… but I still wear whatever I feel like. Even so, sequined pants in particular are very delicate. You wouldn’t want to ruin limited-edition pieces through daily wear and tear… I have worn a pink suit to work though, once.”

I ask Masso what inspires his dress sense, and he’s visibly quite stumped by the question. It’s evident that his process is entirely dependent on impulse, and for someone who’s so well-dressed, he doesn’t put much thought into putting an outfit together. “I usually get a feel for a colour for the day. For example, if I feel it’s a yellow day, I go for something in yellow, or if I want something with flowers, I go for that.” As for muses, he pays homage to Pharrell Williams. Masso’s choices certainly draw a crowd in, and it’s a positive one. He reciprocates by being generous with his compliments, which helps encourage people make bold choices that are both aesthetically rewarding and fulfilling. “You become more approachable when you wear something that stands out, and people in general don’t give enough compliments to each other, despite the fact that everyone appreciates it.”

On a final note, are there any fashion tips for us? “Some people will say ‘oh, I could never wear that’. You could, but you just choose not to. Anyone can wear anything they like, but they’re often rooted in the belief that it won’t suit them. This is just an unacknowledged fear of standing out. Even if you think something’s not going to work, you should at least give it a try.”