MAZURBATE.
The DJ and stylist to the stars on serving looks, style inspirations, and why queer people are so intrinsically linked with fashion.
Mazurbate might have one of the coolest jobs in the world. As well as DJing at nights across New York City, where he takes inspiration from his “roots as a queer latinx” for his sets, he also capitalises on his fierce sense of fashion to style for the likes of pop star Kim Petras and K-pop icon CL. We asked Mazurbate – real name Matthew Mazur – about his musical inspirations, where his love of fashion bloomed, and what his advice for elevating your style is.
How would you describe your personal style?
Traditionally disruptive.
It seems as though queer people have always been intertwined with fashion. Why do you think this is?
I think people that come from strule are forced to improvise and create escape plans per se to help them deal with the realities they face everyday. This can come out through humour, creativity, personality, etc. Being queer, we are all the ‘other’ and therefore inherently born with this strule subconsciously. So we start to just create. Do I think queer (or queer like minded) people are responsible for most, if not all, of the most amazing things we cherish on earth? Yes. So fashion is just one of the realms in which we thrive due to the fact that creativity and expression are put to the highest value.
What was your inspiration or vibe going into this GAY TIMES photoshoot? It looks incredible.
Thank you! I’m so proud of it. I wanted to paint a picture of all the components that make up ‘Matthew Mazur’ and I think I successfully did so.
You’ve styled for some incredible talent, including our cover star Kim Petras, which sounds like a pretty awesome job. How did that come about?
I heard Hillside Boys in a bar in Brooklyn a year and a half ago, found out Kim followed me, found out who we knew mutually and immediately DM’d and texted her. Next thing I knew, she was in New York City in a week and I was styling her for Charli XCX’s first Pop 2 show in NYC.
You also have a long history with CL, who’s so inspiring. How is it working with her?
CL is so dynamic as a person and I’ve learned so much from her. She has become a close friend throughout the years. I really respect her as a person, as I do Kim. I’ve come to realize I can only work with people I respect.
Can you remember when you first discovered your love of fashion?
I went to Catholic School and had a uniform until eighth grade. When I got to LaG (Fiorello H. Laguardia High School) I was finally allowed to wear what I wanted. It was when The Simple Life aired that year that I became obsessed with luxury and the idea of mixing and matching. It rapidly developed into researching and becoming fascinated by Heatherette, Jeremy Scott, Betsey Johnson, John Galliano, Louis Vuitton and everything Patricia Field did from her store (when it was on W Broadway) to Sex and The City. It became my life.
What’s your best piece of advice for people looking to evolve their personal style?
It’s never about money, so if you think it’s that, you’re already wrong. Get off Instagram and walk around and look at people – especially the kids.
As a DJ, where do you get inspiration from?
I get inspired by my roots as a queer latinx that grew up buying his first CD which was Cher’s Believe. I’ve been so fortunate to cultivate relationships with so many people through music that when I go out and want to explore and get inspiration it’s so easy to, especially in New York City. In conclusion, my hometown New York is what inspires me everyday.
Do you have any favourite tracks to play or hear right now?
Kim’s Do Me has been on loop since before it was out when she sent me months ago, so my iTunes top 25 is kind of biased right now. In terms of playing out, I really love playing this Jasmine Masters And I Oop Jersey Club Mix I have.
As it’s the 50th anniversary year of Stonewall, what does Pride mean to you?
It has meant a lot more to me this year without me even knowing. Where we were years ago and where we are now, the current state of the White House, and the current state of the world with LGBTQ rights. Honestly I’m kind of emotional about how beautiful we are as a community. I look at my friends, at my allies, at my brothers and sisters and I just get overwhelmed with how much we have to offer and I am so proud of who we are, what we are, and where we are going.