Stepping Forward with Massivi

Florian Massivi wearing TCR1982 Su Misura suit in cool gray.

Fabric woven in Huddersfield UK, at 14.5 microns (Super 180’s), 260g.

It was sometime in early spring 2023 when I first received an email from Massivi. The message was well-written, objectively phrased, and carried a deep sense of enthusiasm. It was unlike any other typical email I've received from someone seeking an apprenticeship at the atelier in Singapore. From that email, I recognized a familiar curiosity, a high energy, and the courage to venture beyond one's comfort zone, a combination of qualities I myself carried during my early years of seeking apprenticeship.

That is how Massivi and The Cutting Room came to be connected.

Three years later, just past the first half of 2026, we caught up again, this time in Bangkok. In the years between, he built a professional career with one of Singapore's oldest tailoring houses, and travelled around Asia to learn more about different cultures and market opportunities. I'm happy to find that the "Nomad Artist," Massivi's chosen identity, still carries that same hunger for growth, and that his positive, passion-driven energy is as contagious as ever. Three years ago, we made a promise: when he was ready to push his professional identity further, he would commission a suit from The Cutting Room. He kept that promise, and we followed up with a nice chat over coffee.

Who is Massivi?

Massivi, apprenticing in The Cutting Room workshop (Singapore), 2023.

Massivi is more than just my name, it is a reflection of my journey, a constantly evolving biography that covers experiences across the globe. I've always been drawn to travel, and being born and raised in France, my adventures naturally began in Europe, followed by my ancestry country of Angola, and then onto Asia, with Singapore being the first city. Travel lets me see the world through a different lens and this allows me to keep myself open-minded to different geographies, opportunities, and cultures. And also, Massivi is a believer in venturing out: bold, fearless, a risk-taker.

What is one experience that shaped you into the person you are today?

That would be life in Singapore, without a doubt. I've always believed myself to be a multi-potential individual, with different talents and no shortage of creative ideas. Living and working in Singapore, I experienced emotions far beyond what I thought I was capable of. There were countless opportunities to explore, but during that same period, I also lost myself to the overwhelming tempo of a city known for its really fast pace of living. Living through both sides of that experience taught me something important: it's wonderful to have ideas, but it's just as important to stay pragmatic while chasing them. I see that chapter as a stepping stone that will let me thrive across other parts of Asia, especially here in Bangkok, where I'm building the next phase of my journey.

Tell me more about "Step Forward with Massivi."

"Step Forward with Massivi" came to me naturally. A few years ago, I closed down my company, one of my earliest real brushes with failure. Through that experience, I came to see failure not as an ending, but as a stepping stone toward greater growth. It became part of my story, the Massivi story. In life, no matter what happens, you still win as long as you take action and keep stepping forward. That's how the idea took root. I simply keep sharing my story, with a vision of building a community-driven concept that inspires others to take action and share their own stories too, whether they're entrepreneurs, artists, or brands. Right now, I feel like I'm living my own manifestation. This is the life I wrote down two years ago. Looking back, I'm proud of myself. There will always be rewards and roadblocks along the way, and at every turn, I just have to push myself to step forward and outgrow the obstacles.

How would you encourage individuals with aspirations to step forward?

Make small progress, and always remember how far you've come. It's easy to say, harder to practice. Chasing a dream can feel overwhelming at times. Even now, as I begin writing a new chapter in Bangkok, new hurdles keep appearing. They will always be there. We just have to clear them one at a time, and give ourselves credit for every one we overcome.

What is ‘style’ to you?

Style is identity. It's something that lasts, something built gradually over the course of a journey, and something no one can take away from you. It goes beyond clothing; it lives in how you behave, how you speak, how you dress. Helping clients reveal their true identity, whether individuals or brands, is one of the ways I work, always while staying true to their own values.

Tell me about your new suit, why this color and fabric?

This suit marks the beginning of my journey in Bangkok, and of course to keep my promise made three years ago. Having apprenticed at The Cutting Room, I wanted to have a proper artisanal suit of my own. My personal style tends to run creatively wide, often avant-garde, so for my suit piece I chose something more restrained and classic, true to the aesthetics of traditional tailoring. Rather than a tapered silhouette, which I know isn't The Cutting Room's approach, I wanted a cut that reflects both balance and boldness. And since Bangkok is as hot as I have imagined, I decided to explore a lighter-weight fabric, one that still lets me look refined and elevated.

‘I came to see failure not as an ending, but as a stepping stone toward greater growth.’

It was interesting to reunite with Massivi and cut him a new suit. Besides hearing from his new perspectives and witnessing his growth, I’ve also learned something important through our conversation. Everyone is fighting their own battles every day, and some days it can be pretty heavy. Even on the most difficult days, we can give ourselves a gentle pat on the back, look at how far we've progressed, and keep stepping forward, even if it's one small step at a time.