Meet Chrome Masugina | Fashion Designer & Musician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chrome Masugina and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chrome, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
Originally I was homeless and living in the back of my car. I had just turned 18, escaped an abusive household, and pretty much had nowhere else to look or turn to. I had a friend who made himself a mask to conceal his identity as an artist. So initially I turned to him to ask for any suggestions, without hesitation he made my first mask, and since then I started grabbing blanks and decorating from there. I experimented with as many styles as I could with such a limited supply of equipment, since I was making them out of my car. Then when I perfected my technique, people started looking into them.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Honestly I’d have to say that I use my art to inspire others to express themselves in a way that doesn’t require them to expose every single bit of themselves as a whole! Our face tells a lot of our story, so I use my masks to display the things that I’m passionate about and love in a decorative manor. Making these masks for other people has really shown me how everyone expresses themselves in such unique ways, whether it be designing a mask that’s very abstract, pointy, and reflective or making a more minimalistic mask that’s made to solely represent their being. Everyone has a voice, we’re all just pitched different you know? I guess I’d have to say what sets me aside from everyone else is that I’m genuine. Haha. A lot of people getting into this industry tend to just focus more on the profit they’re gaining as opposed to the impact they’re making on their community/market. My masks have meaning behind them. I work with my clients one on one and sketch their design out before I manifest it into reality to establish a connection. I don’t just look at it as another sale, I view it as another friend I’ve made along my journey of producing art for the world to see. I’m most proud of my ability to keep going despite all the pain, and all of the trials I’ve been put through by both those I thought cared for me, and those I thought I’d be seeing at the finish line with me. It takes a lot to keep going after getting swatted down from the sky, getting back up is one of the hardest steps you can take before you can even think of trying to fly again. I’ve learned that sometimes, its better to keep your talents and your knowledge to yourself, because more times often than not, people will try to take advantage of you and your abilities. Let others show you what they’re willing to give you before you give them something you can’t take back, and they run off with it forever. It was extremely difficult getting to where I am, And I’m not gonna cut around any corners when I say this. In order to start doing the things you love. You may or may not lose everything in the process. You just have to be ready to figure out how to start from the bottom when you get there. Only then will you start to realize what it is you need to do in order to surface. Just make sure you’re patient with yourself along the way, and you stay true to yourself throughout it all. You WILL make it. I promise you. Not everyone will be in your corner to support you when it’s all said and done, but knowing that you were able to achieve your goal despite all that you’ve been through will be the most rewarding feeling you’ve felt in your life. I just want people to know that my brand NBN was started with the incentive to push people outside of their comfort zones and into another zone they haven’t thought of traveling to, The unknown. We need to embrace our individuality as the very thing that makes us human! Being normal is such a boring thing to be associated with, live your life through your own creative lens and never be normal again! NBN! Never give up, and you WILL reap the rewards of your labor.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Reno is a very quaint little town, but it’s quite lovely when you get to see all the little hidden gems throughout the city. There’s plenty of pubs, eateries, and cafes to choose from. But my all time favorite place if I’m being honest. Is round one. It’s this really cool arcade/bar that has like all types of Japanese arcade cabinet games! I’m a huuuuuuge video game nerd, so I can’t help myself from playing every game that arcade has to offer. Plus I get nice plushies from there. There’s also rock climbing for those who aren’t scared of heights!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I wanted to shout out the very man who got me into mask making, and that’s my mentor Burn. He’s an underground graffiti artist who makes killer artwork based on political viewpoints and commentary on societal issues/normalities his art screams Banksy with a twist of irony. His instagram is @burn.fry

Instagram: @monochromecandy

Twitter: @monochromecandi

Facebook: Mono chrome

Other: TikTok:@monochromecandy

Image Credits
ryan koven and anglzblood both patrons featured with my masks