Cover Nazreem wears Chopard Magical Setting necklace and rings, L’heure du Diamant watch, Ice Cube rings; Christian Louboutin shoes; Nazreem’s own suit. (Photography: Xerxes Lee)
Nazreem wears Chopard Magical Setting necklace and rings, L’heure du Diamant watch, Ice Cube rings; Christian Louboutin shoes; Nazreem’s own suit. (Photography: Xerxes Lee)
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Nazreem Musa has been setting the standard for Malaysian style for years. And he’s only just getting started.
In this late stage of the attention economy, it can often feel that whoever shouts loudest wins. Our lives are dominated by quick-cut video, AI slop, five-second audio clips that are looped ad nauseum, public figure frenemies that feud and fight and micro-trends that go straight from your FYP to landfill.
It’s an artificial environment, and it’s designed to overstimulate.
Real power, then, is not in wresting views away from TikTok or consciously going against the grain but in quietly, confidently, following your own path. Not to be different or to be contrary, but just to be true to yourself and what you feel is authentic, beautiful and real.
Also read: Men and their jewellery: Nazreem Musa’s bling style rules and heirloom essentials
Above Nazreem wears Chopard Magical Setting necklace and rings, L’heure du Diamant watch, Ice Cube rings; Christian Louboutin shoes; Nazreem’s own suit
Nazreem wears Chopard Magical Setting necklace and rings, L’heure du Diamant watch, Ice Cube rings; Christian Louboutin shoes; Nazreem’s own suit
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It’s a path Nazreem Musa has been on for years.
“I’ve been playing with fashion since I was really young, back in school even. I’m really not just saying this,” he laughs, backstage at our Asia’s Most Stylish shoot, perched on a stool, his formidable height folded in origami-style. “I think by the age of 16 I started to play with women’s wear, figuring out what the rules are and how to push them. By my early 20s, that’s when I started getting my own identity.”
That style identity is still true today, though fans of his fashion—and he has many—will have seen the way it has ebbed, flowed and evolved over the years. It’s a hard one to put into words, being as it is a reflection of Nazreem’s self—who could sum up a person in a succinct three-word phrase? You’re just as likely to see him in layered, avant-garde street style, hair pushed back under a beanie, as you are in full-length statuesque Rick Owens, hair flowing (with those knee-high boots), or in princess-perfect faux fur, toting a Barbie pink Hermès.
“I’m just a fashion chameleon. I keep changing,” he says. “There’s no specific style that I love. I mean, there are specific designers that I’m into. But when it comes to style, I feel like it’s limitless for me.” Nazreem’s style is, of course, famously androgynous in a way that feels freeing, rather than purely provocative. He’s not interested in simply making a statement for social media. This is how he dresses for himself. “As long as I think it’s appropriate for me and my androgyny, and my gender fluidity, I’m okay. Of course, Rick Owens. Demna. Comme des Garçons—these are the designers that really resonate with my ethos, with who I am. It’s very avant-garde and dark. And in Malaysia, the main designers that I’ve worked with, who are also my friends: Alia Bastamam, Kit Woo and also Fizi Woo. And of course Kel Wen—what he’s doing now with Behati is…” Nazreem trails off in silent appreciation. “I really admire and appreciate these designers’ work.”
Above Nazreem wears Chopard Ice Cube rings and bracelets, L’heure du Diamant watch, artisanal piece necklace; Issey Miyake top and skirt; Nazreem’s own shoes
Nazreem wears Chopard Ice Cube rings and bracelets, L’heure du Diamant watch, artisanal piece necklace; Issey Miyake top and skirt; Nazreem’s own shoes
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As the years go by, Nazreem’s self-expression only grows in confidence and assurance—as does Malaysia’s burgeoning fashion scene around him. “You know, I'm telling you, 10, 15 years ago, Malaysia was different. I felt like the odd one, honestly,” he says. “Let's go back to 2015. Back then, people were like, ‘What is Nazreem Musa doing? Wow he’s really daring.’ People weren’t bringing photographers or cinematographers to Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week.” Of course, Nazreem has been a pillar of Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week over the years, from winning Most Fashionable at the event’s inaugural awards, to being named Fashion Gatekeeper to of course sitting front row at the shows. And now he can see the ripple effect of his own quiet force.
“I travel a lot. And I see that compared to people in Southeast Asia, people in KL, they’re really out there, which is amazing. When it comes to styling, Malaysians, especially the Gen Zs right now, the people in the industry… it’s crazy. When I look at it, I am so proud. I feel like I belong. I feel like everyone’s giving their best, and that’s what we need for our fashion scene.”
And there’s no endpoint in sight. Because while Nazreem’s style feels so unmistakably him, so self-contained and sure, it’s still in a constant state of evolution. “This is why I travel so much,” he says, laughing. “I need to be inspired all the time. I’m slowly collecting inspiration from different cities. My way of looking at fashion is by people walking down the street, visiting new cities, going to museums, that's how I get creative. I recently went to this museum in Paris and I was so inspired to play around with colours and colour blocking.”
It’s been decades of playing with style and experimenting and—let's be truthful—shopping. How does Nazreem stay on top of it? “Well, I’ve been collecting since I was 16, I started wearing Rick Owens when I was 18,” he says. “Because Rick was the first one to create those boots, and when I saw them I was just like, oh my god. All the statement pieces I have, I keep them in my storage gallery. Maybe one day I’ll open a gallery, because I love all these statement pieces. There’s always a story to every piece that I bought.”
Above Nazreem wears Chopard Happy Dreams necklace, Ice Cube bracelets and rings, L’heure du Diamant watch; Alia Bastamam top; Nazreem’s own trousers
Nazreem wears Chopard Happy Dreams necklace, Ice Cube bracelets and rings, L’heure du Diamant watch; Alia Bastamam top; Nazreem’s own trousers
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It’s a cliche, but it’s true—style is a journey, not a destination. And it’s a journey that Nazreem is undertaking intentionally, boldly and with signature flair. “Where I am right now, I feel like I have so much more to give. Especially because I’m not 40 yet, I feel like there’s so much more that I want to play with—different silhouettes, different colours, everything crazy, I'm still down for it. I'm not at a halt right now, for sure.”
After all, there are no limits, and no rules. Well, maybe one rule. “I never ask someone their opinion about my stuff,” he says. “I never ask, ‘Is this okay?’ It’s always about me. That’s the rule I live by. If I like it, I like it.”
Credits
Creative Direction: Noemy Zainal
Styling: Mughni Che Din
Stylist's Assistant: Surya Ammari
Jewellery: Chopard
Photography: Xerxes Lee
Photography Assistant: Aizuddin Afiq
Emma Chong is the Managing Editor of Tatler Malaysia, overseeing the editorial direction and vision for the print, digital and social media arms of the title. She has over 15 years experience in fashion and lifestyle publishing, and has led print and digital editorial teams at ELLE Malaysia, Time Out Kuala Lumpur, The Luxe Nomad and more.
Outside of work, Emma spends her time wrangling children (only her own) and boosting the Malaysian economy through her support of local fashion and homeware brands.
