John

John is 46 and based in Wolverhampton, with a love of gaming, countryside walks and anything that brings back a bit of old-school nostalgia. He also jokes that he is still looking for someone to cuddle up with on cold nights, setting the tone for a profile that could only belong to John.

He first discovered Pauzewear through Collective member Richard, who is better known on Twitch as Strikey MnK. John jokingly describes him as a massive Twitch streamer who “definitely doesn’t look like a homeless bum.” That description probably says as much about their friendship as it does about how he found the brand.

John’s connection with the clothing designs began before Pauzewear officially launched, when he bought the White Lion Ghillie T-Shirt through Pauzeradio.

His first Pauzewear order followed a little later and included the Analogue T-Shirt Midnight and Lion Ghillie Hoodie Olive. Since then, his collection has continued to grow, most recently with The Mixtape T-Shirt.

The Lion Ghillie was the design that originally caught his attention. He cannot completely explain why it connected with him so much, but he does have one theory.

“It resonated with my own lion-like personality. You know, strong and king-like.”

While the Lion Ghillie remains an important favourite, the more recent retro-inspired designs have also captured his attention. The My Walkman T-Shirt and The Mixtape have both earned John’s straightforward seal of approval: they “slap.”

Behind the humour, Pauzewear also represents something more meaningful to him. John sees the brand as a symbol of hope and empowerment, something that gives him a positive feeling whenever he wears it. It is not only about owning another T-shirt; it is about wearing something with personality that helps him feel good.

When asked to describe Pauzewear, John gave an answer that definitely cannot be repeated word for word. The family-friendly version is that it’s different in a very good way, not necessarily something you shout about, but something satisfying that you quietly enjoy way more than you probably should.

Outside of Pauzewear, gaming is one of John’s biggest interests. At the opposite end of the scale, he also enjoys going out for long walks in the countryside, giving him the chance to get away from screens, enjoy the fresh air and some peace and quiet.

If he could bring one thing back from the past, it would be the Hypercolour T-shirts of the 1990s. The fabric changed colour as it became warmer, creating designs that felt almost futuristic at the time.

John’s verdict about those tee's remains simple: they were “bad ass.”

His love of both gaming and retro culture also influences what he would like to see from Pauzewear in the future. With mixtapes and Walkmans already inspiring designs, he believes old-school gaming should be explored next. Retro consoles, classic games and artwork influenced by early gaming culture would all be welcome additions to the brand.

John brings plenty of humour to The Collective, but his support for Pauzewear is genuine. From his original White Lion Ghillie tee to the growing collection he can no longer fully keep track of, he has found a brand that reflects his personality without taking itself too seriously.

Before finishing, John leaves Pauzewear with a message that needs no further explanation:

“Long live Pauze. Long live Pauzewear.”