C Silk

C Silk first discovered Pauzewear through her daughter, Shanie (Skinz). As soon as she saw the designs, she knew it was something different.

"My daughter showed me and I was like, 'Yeah, that's bad, I love it.'"

Having spent many years working as a Special Educational Needs (SEN) support worker, caring for and supporting others has always been at the heart of who she is. Even in retirement, that mindset hasn't changed. She describes herself as someone who enjoys listening to people, offering advice when they need it and showing genuine empathy. It's one of the reasons friends often turn to her as an "agony aunt."

Helping other people has always been important to C Silk. She believes everyone deserves dignity, opportunity and the chance to live a better life. Those values have shaped both her career and the way she continues to approach people every day.

That caring nature extends into every aspect of life. She loves cooking, especially when friends and family are around. In fact, she jokes that she often cooks enough food for everyone else before realising she's forgotten to feed herself.

"As long as people have a full belly, I'm happy."

Music has been a lifelong passion. Whether it's Garnett Silk, Bob Marley, David Bowie, Michael Jackson, The Doors, soul, jazz, pop or classical music, she believes every artist and genre has something to offer.

She also loves to dance and enjoys teaching friends aerobics, martial arts and movement whenever they visit. Keeping fit, spending time in the gym and relaxing in the sauna all play an important part in her life.

Her first Pauzewear piece was the black Lion Ghillie T-Shirt, a design that immediately reminded her of Africa and the colours associated with Rastafari. Today, it remains one of her favourites alongside the Riddim T-Shirt Rizla Blue and the Have You Heard It On Vinyl T-Shirt, not only because of the designs themselves but because blue has always been her favourite colour.

For C Silk, Pauzewear represents far more than clothing.

"I like the diversity. It's not just one set of people, it's for everyone."

She also appreciates the attention to detail, from the quality of the garments to the carefully considered packaging, right down to the reusable zip-lock bags that protect each order.

If someone asks her about Pauzewear, she's more than happy to recommend it. She regularly shows people what she's wearing, hands out flyers and encourages others to support because she genuinely believes in what the brand is creating.

Asked what she'd bring back from the past, her answer isn't just about music, although she misses the incredible bands and artists of the 1970s and early 1980s. For her, it was also an era when there was more freedom and communities had more support.

Looking ahead, she'd love to see Pauzewear expand with coordinated accessories such as bandanas, snapback caps, shorts, women's cuts, vests and matching pieces that allow people to mix and match complete outfits.

For C Silk, versatility is important, creating different looks from a handful of well-coordinated pieces and finishing them with accessories such as her favourite beads.

Before finishing, she leaves one final message for everyone connected to the brand.

"I love you guys, I love the designs, I love it all. Keep up the good work. Perseverance... you will get rewarded. All the people in The Collective are great, realists. I read the Collective Voices and everyone speaks so highly of the brand. You deserve that. Love you all."