Photos by: Peter Diseris
Her enthusiasm combined with her intelligent mind stirs an energy and presence that can’t be missed. Nassia Matsa, model and writer, pens for the likes Vogue, Financial Times and Wired.
Post shoot, we were able to dive into her thoughts on the power of escape in storytelling and "what escaping back to self" means to her.
“Think it, don’t dream it. It’s much more effective" - Nassia Matsa
Location of origin and where your living now?
Born and bred in Athens, I was based in London for the past 12 years but now spending summer in Greece where life is easier and there is less covid-19 around.
Where is your special place of reflection?
Where I usually spend my summers, at a place called Porto Hydra in Greece. I am not good with taking time off during the year but summer is the season that I use for reflection. I am used to seeing September as the first month of the year maybe due to academia. So being psychically away from London where my place of work is helps me to mentally take a break.
Tell us a little bit about yourself including something unique that many people may not know?
I am a writer with published work in Vogue, Financial Times and Wired as well as a model for the likes of Burberry, Prada and Marine Serre.
Something that many people might not know is that I have two master’s degrees in media, one from University of the Arts and one from London School of Economics. Another thing is that my pictures from the 2010 London riots were published in The Guardian.
"The most exciting and scary thing is a white page in front of you but knowing that you can create something extraordinary using words as your tools..."
You write on a variety of topics including culture, technology and fashion – what type of story ideas really influence your writing?
I try to understand a cultural / technological / fashion trend through political lenses. My aim is to show a perspective that is not well known and makes the reader think of a different angle of a story. I want my articles to create more questions due to new information shown rather than show my opinion or analysis.
In modelling I am the one who is the face of the shoot so when I am writing I want the reader to feel that I am not the protagonist of the story she/he is reading.
Writing can be such a powerful escape in reflection and storytelling. What is one thing that allows you to really immerse yourself when writing an article or story?
Quality journalism doesn’t let journalists write knowing the conclusion prior starting their research, but they let their research form the article.
The most exciting and scary thing is a white page in front of you but knowing that you can create something extraordinary using words as your tools, is the best feeling in the world for me.
How do you think words can influence people?
Words are a tool so you can choose them to propagate, inform, inspire and according to your goals direct the reader into a positive direction, a negative one or no direction at all. So as with any tool you can use it for positive or negative influence which is both scary but also enlightening.
Does your modelling ever influence your writing ideas?
Of course, I am lucky that I can be critical of what I am seeing. Again, when you are a protagonist in a project it is hard to step aside and think what you are experiencing during a shoot. And vice versa I am lucky that I can experience what I read about when it comes to fashion.
What does "escaping back to self" mean to you?
That it’s the best place in the world. It requires lots of work to be able to escape back to oneself but it’s a place everyone should feel at ease exploring.
If you had a whole day just to wander the streets where would you like to go?
Somewhere where I have never been.
Athens’ best kept secret?
The variety of cultural events/festivals taking place in great locations such as ancient temples.
London’s best kept secret?
The raves taking place at the forests of its suburbs.
Discover more on Nassia here and discover her articles here.
