Shanie (Skinz)

Some people discover a brand and become customers. Others become part of its story. Shanie, better known as Skinz, has been part of the wider Pauze journey for almost two decades.

Having first met Gav Pauze through MySpace back in 2005, she later became a follower of Pauzeradio from 2009, supporting long before Pauzewear even existed. When the first Pauzeradio merchandise appeared around 2012, she was already proudly repping it, so when Pauzewear officially launched in 2025, joining The Collective felt like the natural next step.

Music has always been a huge part of Shanie's life. A singer, musician and lifelong Junglist, she's been involved in the music scene since the late 1980s. Her interests stretch past music too, from Star Trek to multimedia and cosplay to retro gaming, with classics like Street Fighter and Super Mario still among her favourites. Outside of her creative side, she's also an aquatics consultant, an animal lover and a proud mum to her beautiful teenage daughter, alongside her much-loved cat, Hype.

Supporting independent businesses has always been important to her, especially those connected to the reggae and jungle scenes and that has shaped much of her life. That was one of the reasons Pauzewear immediately resonated with her.

Her first Pauzewear piece was the Pauzeradio Logo Yellow T-Shirt, but since then her collection has grown to well over a dozen designs. While she says she genuinely loves every piece she owns, one stands above them all: the More Music Black Hoodie. For Shanie, it's more than just a hoodie. It's the comfort, warmth and quality that keeps her reaching for it throughout winter, becoming one of those rare pieces that feels as good to wear as it looks.

Ask Shanie what Pauzewear means to her, and the answer goes beyond clothing.

She describes it as being part of something unique. Watching the brand grow, seeing new ideas appear on the website and following each release and design story has created a genuine emotional connection. Opening a Pauzewear package still gives her the same excitement as Christmas morning, and she's constantly recommending the brand to friends and family because she believes in what it represents.

One theme runs through everything Shanie talks about: unity.

If she could bring one thing back from the past, it wouldn't be a fashion trend or a particular tune. It would be the sense of togetherness that defined the rave scene during the late 1980s and 1990s. She remembers when people connected through music rather than mobile phones, where everyone was there for the same reason, to dance and have fun, and the atmosphere felt genuinely inclusive. It's a feeling she still values today and something she hopes more people can experience again.

Away from Pauzewear, Shanie continues to devote her time to music, creating her own songs while encouraging and mentoring upcoming artists wherever she can. Helping others develop and believing in people is simply part of who she is.

When asked how she would describe Pauzewear to someone who has never heard of it before, her answer is simple:

"It's a way of life."

She says she can often tell by someone's style if they'd connect with the brand in the same way she did, and she's even handed out Pauzewear flyers to people she felt would appreciate the designs and ethos.

Although she has complete trust in the creative direction of the brand and doesn't want to influence future collections, she admits she'd love to see the holographic effect used on the Pauzewear stickers, that are in the envelope with every order, somehow make its way onto a future T-shirt.

Above everything else, Shanie hopes The Collective continues to grow, keeping the spirit of unity alive. Whether it's sharing a smile with a stranger or supporting an independent business that genuinely cares about its customers, she believes those small connections are what The Collective is all about.

As one of the earliest supporters of both Pauzeradio and Pauzewear, Shanie embodies exactly what The Collective is all about: loyalty, positivity, creativity and bringing people together through a shared passion.