Anton Masko is a male stylist and consultant. He is developing his project on men's style and manages his own visa agency. Traveling extensively, he divides his life between Warsaw and Minsk, nurturing a special passion for Italy. He runs his blog under the motto „The Art of Being a Man,“ where he shares his life aesthetics with readers.

We arranged an interview with Anton to discuss Warsaw and explore the city's style, as well as to delve into how the words „suit“ and „responsibility“ can be intertwined in one sentence. Nomadvice has compiled recommendations of our guest's favorite places and life hacks for living in this beautiful city.

Anton, you primarily live in Warsaw now. Surely, you have a lot to share about your experience of moving to this city. What moments were most important for you as a traveler?

Anton: My first arrival was during the pandemic, which made it particularly challenging. However, with enough travel experience under my belt, adaptation became easier. I'll definitely share some life hacks with you on how to ease this process. As for the second move, it didn't bring any surprises, thanks to my previous experience. It's important to maintain a positive attitude, even in difficult conditions.

Considering your experience as a traveler, can you be called a nomad, constantly moving from place to place?

Anton: I love traveling, but I value the comfort and coziness of home more. Moves for me are a choice dictated by work or climate, not constant relocation. I value stability, you know, like Italians do: going to the same café, chatting with the same bartender. It creates an attachment to the place and people. Gradually, from a random café visitor, you become part of its history, start interacting with the staff, and it brings a sense of comfort.

Photos from Anton's archive

I completely understand you. How do you find such places and such comfortable people and specialists?

Anton: Search is always challenging, especially in a new place. The first thing I do is ask locals, those who have been living here for a long time. It's important that our views on life coincide, so that the advice is relevant to me. In addition to this, I turn to general chats, although they are not always effective due to informational chaos. It's important to choose sources of information that you trust and be prepared for the fact that sometimes the best offer has to be found independently.

„Gradually, from a random café visitor, you become part of its history, start interacting with the staff, and it brings a sense of comfort“

How much time can it take to find the necessary services through friends and acquaintances?

Anton: For me, the search takes about a week. For example, in five days, I found the necessary skincare products by reaching out to four acquaintances and visiting three stores. In one case, the price for the product differed threefold, so it's worth carefully comparing offers. Sometimes, information comes from unexpected sources, like in the case of a client for whom I was taking measurements for trousers.

Since you've mentioned trousers, tell us a bit more about yourself and your work.

Anton: I have two main projects: „Men's Style“ and a visa agency in Minsk. We've been working with the agency for almost 10 years, helping with visas and striving to be the best in this business, not only selling a service but also caring for our clients. „Men's Style“ involves tailoring trousers, jackets, and suits. Since 2020, I've been a consultant on men's style. For me, style is a way of self-expression and a choice of who you are and how you want to present yourself to the world.

Photos from Anton's archive

Relocations, travels, developing three business directions. How do you manage it all? Do you have assistants or a team?

Anton: In the „Men's Style“ project, we're currently focusing more on developing technological products, such as online courses on garment care. As for me, I handle many tasks myself, from tailoring trousers and jackets to creating content. However, I do have a photography assistant for content creation and a sewing assistant who works with clients in Minsk. In the visa agency, the team is larger, and we appreciate human qualities over sales skills. In both projects, I strive to surround myself with empathetic individuals and foster a friendly team atmosphere.

It seems like within your teams, you create the very stability and comfort you talked about earlier. How do you manage to find such people for your team, and how do you attract clients in Warsaw?

Anton: Our main specialists, including tailors, are based in Minsk. In Warsaw, we collaborate with local craftsmen for minor tasks like alterations or adjustments. As for attracting clients in Warsaw, much depends on personal branding. Our marketing isn't too aggressive; clients often find us themselves due to the reputation and trust we strive to maintain and reinforce.

„Suit is about responsibility“

Professional question for you as a stylist. What style would you attribute to Warsaw, considering it as a client?

Anton: Warsaw, to me, is a blend of modernity with elements of antiquity. The city strives for development and is open to new ideas. I feel Warsaw leans more towards smart casual, but it still needs work to fully embrace this style. The city demonstrates a desire to grow and invest in itself, which I find admirable. Warsaw isn't quite about the classic style yet. Suit is about responsibility. It signifies a certain serious readiness for it. Personally, I understand that I don't always feel myself in it. A suit is like your second skin, reflecting maturity and readiness to wear it. It requires balance. Warsaw is on the right path towards this, aiming to find its perfect style, combining elegance and alignment with its spirit. I enjoy having coffee in the company of this city.

Once over a cup of coffee, we discussed associations in your blog. What's the art of being a man? It's something about a fireplace, oak, and subdued light, in the language of sensations. What associations do you have with Warsaw, and do they change seasonally?

Anton: For me, Warsaw is associated with cotton and wood, emphasizing its modernity and closeness to nature. The city's scents change with the seasons: citrus notes in summer, wood and fig aromas in winter, creating a cozy fireplace atmosphere. But in reality, the winter grayness can induce melancholy: if comparing inner states to scents, I'd choose a piece of household soap. However, it reminds me of the importance of finding joy in small things and cherishing sunny days even more. To cope with such days, I add more activity, like tango or acting classes, and try to spend more time outdoors. This helps maintain emotional balance and find inspiration in everyday life.

„The winter grayness can induce melancholy: if comparing inner states to scents, I'd choose a piece of household soap“

Photos from Anton's archive. Long Bar at Raffles Europejski

How else do you spend your time in winter, and are there any special places in Warsaw that you would recommend?

Anton: In winter, I tend to read more, selecting books that can lift my spirits and inspire me, like "God Travels Incognito." E-books are not for me; I prefer literature in the traditional format. Besides, I'm almost rediscovering my love for reading now, opting for fiction novels. A long period of reading business literature took away my desire to open books. By the way, I have a winter ritual - visiting the Long Bar at Raffles Europejski - a very aesthetically beautiful place with excellent espresso and desserts. There, espresso costs a bit more - 16 zloty if you buy it at the bar. But it's worth it, I just know that I'm not going for the espresso, I'm going for the atmosphere. My mood is worth 21 zloty along with tips. It's free because I bought my mood, you know. It's precisely what we talked about, finding your place, not just about coffee; it's about creating a moment of enjoyment and good mood. Espresso for me is a little life and a piece of Italy, an embodiment of tradition and pleasure from simple things.

What are the top coffee places in Warsaw that you would recommend?

Anton: On average, the price for coffee is probably around 13-18 zloty. Let me list places not only with quality coffee and desserts but also with a unique atmosphere that adds a special charm.

Photo: La Bomboniera Instagram / Photo: Restaurant Le Braci Instagram

Photo: Soulmates Instagram / Photo: Panna Cukiernia Instagram

„My mood is worth 21 zloty along with tips. It's free because I bought my mood, you know“

Great recommendations! Given your love for Italy, I'll ask: where in Warsaw can one try the most delicious pasta? Where do you usually take city guests for dinner?

Anton: I love cooking for my guests. But if I were to choose from places, I'd highlight four.

Photo: Lupo Pasta Fresca Instagram / Photo: Dyspensa Instagram

Photo: Restaurant Le Braci Instagram / Photo: Der Elefant Instagram

Anton, at the beginning of our conversation, you promised tips and life hacks for those who come to Warsaw. What advice do you have for successful adaptation in the city?

Anton: If we're talking about Poland in general, in terms of my own experience, I'd probably recommend starting with the question of when to move.

• Moving: It's better to move in spring to avoid that gray weather and any kind of depression. April is the perfect time when everything starts blooming, birds are singing, creating a great atmosphere for adaptation. And then it's easier for you to adapt to the „household soap,“ as we called it.
• Public transportation: I prefer trams to avoid traffic jams. The metro is also a great option, especially the new line. I buy tickets based on time – for 20, 75, or 90 minutes. It's important not to miss the expiration! Also, in Warsaw, the pass for all types of transportation is the same, which is convenient.
• Airport: It's convenient to get from the airport by bus directly to the city center or by taxi. If it's an early departure or late arrival, I prefer a taxi for comfort. But during regular hours, why not take the bus? It's economical and quite fast.
• Language: Active communication in Polish in everyday life speeds up the learning process. Don't be afraid to make mistakes and ask people to speak Polish with you, even if you respond in English. When I consult on men's style, I go to the store and just ask the guys to speak only Polish with me. Life hack: remove your headphones and listen to the conversations of locals.
• Avoid isolation: It's important to socialize, not to close yourself off, not to think that a tutor and others will save you. Go out to places where people socialize, listen, be open. And the most important thing - don't be afraid to make mistakes. It's not just about language; it helps a lot in life in general.

When it comes to housing in Warsaw, was it difficult to find? Are there any pitfalls?

Anton: Dealing with housing in Warsaw isn't a walk in the park, but it's certainly manageable. I found my own apartment and have been settled here for about a year and a half now. I was lucky with the landlord. It's all about timing – starting your search in January or February can make things a bit smoother. While the rental market seems calmer currently, be mindful of potential price hikes due to inflation. From my experience, you can snag a decent place in a good area for around three thousand zloty.

And what are the places in the city worth visiting to fall in love with it?

Anton: I adore wandering around Warsaw. It's a 45-minute stroll from my place to the heart of the city. So, when the weather is nice, I go out, observe, and enjoy. My route takes me through parks and along green streets. Warsaw is surprisingly diverse: there's a sense of antiquity in some places and modernity in others. I really like the Stalinka skyscraper; it reminds me of the old skyscrapers in New York City. For a taste of the Warsaw that captured my heart, venture into the Filtry or Stary Mokotów neighborhoods – where stunning architecture meets lush greenery. That's my kind of vibe. And here's a little tip – grab a coffee from La Bomboniera, stroll about 500-600 meters to the nearby park (small but enchanting), and indulge in some people-watching, savouring the moment.

Photo from Anton's archive

Anton, thank you for your advice and your time. Finally, we talked about responsibility and suits, but perhaps you could offer some more insight into responsibility. What would you advise to everyone who reads this interview?

Anton: Our life is one big journey, and it's important not to regret missed opportunities. I always remember Mark Twain's words about the importance of not looking back with regret. Live in a way that every moment is conscious, like savoring a cup of espresso, without rushing through life and missing the moments that truly make it vibrant. As in „The Count of Monte Cristo“: he said that sometimes you have to fall, sometimes you have to stumble, hit rock bottom, feel the lows, in order to learn to appreciate the simple joys. Enjoy the ordinary moments of life, and don't forget to thank life for them. It's important.

As the world evolves, so do we. Whether in a different country or constantly on the move, we often spend hours seeking for a good specialist, asking for advice from friends, acquaintances, and various channels.

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