Hey, I Like Your Style! Inside the wardrobe of Sydney-based R&B artist Pania

“Style’s an evolution and I’m glad I took risks.”

We know personal style is a journey (I’m looking at you, Tumblr years) and our series Hey, I Like Your Style! dives into the fashion psyche of our favourite creatives. We’re talking the good, the bad and the 2007.

While the internet has made our fashion icons feel closer than ever before, even the most effortless of outfits came from a closet with some (well-dressed) skeletons. Clickable product tags, photo archives and lives chronicled in 30-second clips just don’t tell the full story.

For more fashion news, shoots, articles and features, head to our Fashion section.

These are the stories behind the wardrobes, exploring how we develop our own personal style. There’s a brilliance behind the way we choose to express ourselves and at FJ, we know every outfit has a story.

This week, we’re catching up with Sydney-based R&B artist Pania to talk all things Aaliyah, Adidas and authenticity. After noticing that an ex-partner had changed the way she dressed, the Aotearoa-born musician decided that her style would be dictated by her instincts alone. 

Lately, Pania has been drawing inspiration from her early years, a time she spent skateboarding with her brother and listening to hip hop. The result is an eclectic personal style that blends sporty basics with luxury accessories, creating a look that celebrates both her masculine and feminine energies. Above all, it’s a style that’s distinctively Pania. 

Fashion Journal: Hey Pania! Tell me about yourself and what you like to wear.

Pania: My style has always been about self-expression. Inspired by ’90s icons like Aaliyah, Janet Jackson, Naomi Campbell and Sarah Jessica Parker (the list goes on), I’ve refined my look to be both classic and edgy. I love mixing sporty staples with statement pieces, always balancing masculine and feminine elements in a way that feels authentic to me.

What has your style evolution looked like? 

I grew up loving sports and skateboarding, and because I was so close with my brother, I naturally wanted to dress like him. Clothes became my way of expressing myself. Being into hip hop and R&B also shaped my taste early on. I went through every phase you can imagine but all that experimenting helped me to develop the distinctive style I have today.

Now, I love leather and subtle nods to my culture, whether it’s through accessories, prints or patterns. My style is about taking classic outfits and putting my own twist on them, with that ’90s influence still running through everything I wear.

Do you remember the first clothing item you owned that made an impact on you?

I was obsessed with skate shoes, especially this green and blue pair of DC shoes I bought. They weren’t just sneakers; they represented the skate culture I loved and made me feel part of a bigger movement. Wearing them gave me confidence and made me feel like I belonged to something.

Take us back to those awkward teenage years. Who or what was inspiring your style at the time, and do you have any fashion regrets?

I went through every phase you could think of. In grade six, my two best friends and I rocked up to the Eid festival in matching brown leather jackets and neon fishnet gloves. We swore we were the coolest. I don’t see it as a regret, though. Style’s an evolution and I’m glad I took those risks because they shaped the way I dress now.

Back then, I was inspired by MTV, Tumblr and whatever music video I had on repeat. One week, I was in oversized streetwear, the next I was trying something hyper-feminine. It was more about expression than consistency.

The only regret I have is letting my first boyfriend change the way I dress. He had me in Forever New dresses, and for a while, I listened. That was probably the least ‘me’ I’ve ever felt. It taught me to trust my instincts and never let anyone else dictate how I express myself.

What are some of the ‘investment pieces’ in your wardrobe?

My Chanel necklaces, Vivienne Westwood accessories and vintage Chanel glasses are staples. They feel like extensions of me – timeless, personal pieces that elevate almost anything. I’ll throw them on with casual fits or stagewear, and they always pull a look together. 

Most expensive and least expensive items in your wardrobe

The most expensive would be my vintage Prada boots. Classics. The least expensive are my basics: plain singlets and tees I wear on repeat. I prefer cheaper basics as I’m a messy girl, so they end up getting stains easily (especially my white tees). They’re never over twenty dollars. I like the contrast of mixing luxe pieces with simple staples.

What is the most meaningful fashion piece you own?

The glossy Timberlands that I bought the first time I went to London. They’re more than just fashion pieces. They hold memories of moments in my career and travels that felt like milestones. 

Who or what influences your style today?

My environment shapes my style, who I am, what I’m doing and the people around me. Princess Diana inspires my sporty looks, while Janet Jackson and Aaliyah influence my stagewear. My friends and my culture also play a huge part in shaping how I put things together.

Tell me about the last time you felt really great in an outfit for a special occasion.

During fashion week, I wore my Adidas trackies with my own merch, a Daniel’s leather jacket I picked up in New York and my favourite Ksubi piece at the time, the Mowalola bomber collab. It felt good, comfortable but still elevated, one of those fits that just worked. 

What fashion piece are you keeping in your closet despite being ‘out of trend’?

Trends come and go, but I don’t pay much attention to what’s ‘in’ or ‘out’. If I like something, I’ll wear it. My closet is built around pieces that feel like me, not what’s trending. I hold onto clothes that carry memories or feel authentic. However, it took many awkward phases to figure out what I truly need in my closet.

What item of clothing gives you the ick?

Red sneakers with tight, ripped skinny jeans on men (sorry!).

What are the wardrobe items you wear on repeat?

My Adidas tracksuit. It’s a staple. I’ll throw it on for comfort or elevate it with accessories. It’s the kind of piece that works whether I’m chilling or heading out, so it’s always been in rotation.

Who are your favourite local designers?

BYBL, Olivia Rowan and Kid Condo.

Follow along with Pania here.