In the ARDOR studio, Nadine Moko chats cheerfully with the crew as if they were childhood friends with a chaotic air of playfulness. Taking a break from her shoot - she discusses all things fashion and lifestyle as well as what makes her real you with our editor, Alvita.

​

Hi Nadine! Welcome to ARDOR and thank you so much for this interview. Now let's start from the beginning. Why did you decide to make a YouTube channel sharing your daily life - both the ups and downs? 

Nadine Moko : Thank you for having me! Honestly, I wanted to share my life experiences and vlog everything because I love documenting the things going on around me, no matter how mundane! Also I want to be that representation in the creative space for people who look like me because I wasn't able to see myself in the people I watched and followed online.

​

By doing so you created a wonderful community of followers who uplift you and each other in the comments but how have you dealt with negativity that can come from such a public role?

It sounds kinda cliche but i try not to let the haters get to me? Obviously ignoring and blocking racist and colourist comments has been the best route of action for me as in the past hurtful comments have really damaged my mental health and wellbeing. But at least I can only learn and grow from here on out?

​

If you wouldn't mind sharing maybe what you HAVE learnt from them?

It's been a lot about coming to terms with who I am as a person?

​

Like your identity?

Yep exactly! As a British Asian person, its been hard to allow myself to connect more to my Asian culture instead of ignoring it and pushing all away into a box. But I've chosen to come to terms with it and accept it for what it is without guilt - a gift.

​

I think I've definitely I've had similar experiences as you growing up trying to accept my own culture so I really thing readers would be happy for you sharing this with us and how you are showing this journey on camera. Any certain ways you embraced and integrated your roots into your daily life?

It's been the little things like wearing jewelry or Indonesian clothing alongside my more western clothing kinda creating a fusion kind of style? I find it a bit hard to do this still because I'm still a beginner but I enjoy looking on TikTok and Pinterest for inspo!

​

It sounds very sustainable and I just might try it too! You make it look so trendy and cool!Have you got any fashion goals aside from this moving forward?

Oooh, that's a hard one. Probably cut down on the amount of things I am buying. It is so easy to get caught up with capitalism as we live such consumerist lives? So I'm really trying to change the way I'm thinking about material possessions but it's so hard when I'm surrounded by such beautiful and lovely things! Also I'd like to explore different aesthetics with more sustainable and ethically sourced fashion brands rather than buying from fast fashion brands.

​

Any thoughts about making a TikTok or Pinterest?

Not for now but maybe sometime in the future! I wanna focus on my Youtube and Instagram and create meaningful interactions with my audience but maybe one day! I love doing TikToks with friends and family, especially all the different dances. I did the Barbie dogs dance trend recently with a couple of friends after filming something for a video. Maybe I'll share it some time soon.

 

I'm sure our readers will look forward to seeing it! Thank you so much for taking some time to chat with us today. Just one more question - what do you think makes you the real you?

My confidence.

​

You can follow Nadine on her Instagram and Youtube

@NadineM

​

Alvita Babu (@alvita_b) is ARDOR's editor in chief

Styling by Dristi Chatterjee. Styling Assistance by Mya Cambell