HHV Portraits: Massimiliano Pagliara

HHV Portraits

Massimiliano Pagliara

HHV Portraits show members of our community dressed and styled by themselves to show their true character. From leather footwear to sneakers and slip-ons, hoodies to mohair and parkas, our community is dressed to impress. Working in fashion, finance or freelancing, we will highlight different individuals monthly and share the versatility our community has through their thoughts and feelings about where they are, what they are wearing, and much more…

Who are you, where are you from, what do you do – and what do you do when you’re not working?

I’m Massimiliano Pagliara, an Italian DJ and producer who’s been calling Berlin home for over twenty-five years. I studied dance and choreography in Milan and moved to the German capital to continue my research in both these fields. However, music has always been a big part of my life and slowly, took over full time. Whether that’s producing records, playing clubs around the world or running my own label. But I’ve also always been fascinated by aesthetics beyond music. Fashion, visual arts, architecture, cinema and design all feed my creativity in one way or another.When I’m not working, I enjoy slowing down. I love discovering new restaurants and stores, exercising, riding my bike, spending time with friends, or simply getting lost in a city without a plan. Those quiet moments are often where new ideas begin.

What inspires you to be completely yourself and to dress the way you do? Are there people, music, or places that influence you?

I’ve never been interested in following trends. For me, getting dressed is another form of self-expression, much like making music. Wearing certain garments, can also have an impact on my creativity . The design, the touch and feel of textiles, the colors, these are all very inspiring elements for me. I like mixing references that shouldn’t necessarily work together—tailoring with sportswear, vintage pieces with high fashion contemporary designers, something elegant next to something more unexpected, or street wear. Music has definitely been a huge influence. Disco, Italo, house, techno and the queer club culture I grew up loving all embraced individuality and encouraged people to celebrate who they were. Living in Berlin has reinforced that feeling. It’s one of the few places where personal style isn’t about fitting in, but about expressing your own character with confidence.

Sneakers, boots, or runners – what do you prefer to wear and why? Is there an accessory you never leave the house without?

Sneakers, without question. They work just as well in the studio as they do after ten hours behind the decks. Comfort has become increasingly important to me, but I still want shoes with personality. My favorite sneakers are the Asics Kayano 14, I have them in many different color variations. I also dig the collaboration between Asics and Comme Des Garçons. However, I do love leather shoes/boots as well. Just today I got some new Prada leather boots for example. The color is just incredible , a nice dark teal or petrol blue. As for accessories, you’ll almost always find me wearing a Porter & Yoshida bag, fanny or back pack. I am truly obsessed with their stuff. Japanese quality at its finest! Also, I am always wearing a cap, it’s just a very essential part of my look and I do have a huge collection . Among them, some of my favorites are from Supreme, Stüssy, Carhartt and Prada. Same rule applies to jackets, I do have a little obsession especially for bomber jackets and I do have many in different colors and designs, mostly from Prada, Margiela, Undercover, Acne and Alpha Industries.

Which Berlin neighborhood best matches your style – and why? Do you have any café or restaurant recommendations? And where do you go to relax or get creative?

I have been living in the East side of Berlin (Friedrichshain) for almost 23 years now. It changed a lot, like the rest of the city, but I do still like the leftist and alternative vibe. However, now that I am a bit older, I do like Charlottenburg very much, especially near Savigny Platz. It has history, elegance, beautiful old buildings, lots of nice stores and restaurants. I always like walking around there.For food, I always enjoy going to SAN , which for me is one of the best Japanese in town, or Zum Heiligen Teufel, for exquisite Italian cuisine . I am not much of a coffee person, I actually don’t drink coffee, but I do enjoy meeting friends at La Maison and then go for a stroll by the canal, when it’s nice outside. When I need to recharge, I often walk through Tiergarten or Treptower Park, which are my two favorite parks. Or go to see some art at Martin Gropius Bau or Neue Nationalgalerie, which are my two favorite museums. Nature and art have a way of clearing my head and making room for new ideas.

What’s next for you? And if you had to make a trend forecast for the next few years – what do you think is coming?

This year marks twenty years since I started releasing music and DJing, which I’ve been celebrating with a compilation of unreleased tracks on my label, Funnuvojere Records. After looking back, I’m already looking forward. I’m working on new music, new collaborations and continuing to push myself creatively.As for fashion, I think people are more interested in developing a personal identity. I hope we’ll see a return to quality, longevity and individuality rather than constant consumption.