Behind It All with NAYA

Meet Naya, the Mind Behind the Coolest Fashion Account, Pandemonium.

When I saw pictures titled “CRAZY LADY” in a backless skin-tight black sheer dress featuring Shane as the model, it was an astonishing piece of work, daring and sexy. I showed it to a few of my fashion-loving friends, and like me, they were lost for words.
Pandemonium is a styling account founded by Naya. It is an account where she could collaborate with her talented friends and showcase what they offer in the fashion-focused industry. All of them together are a breath of fresh air, forefronting the background of high-production fashion content, their creatively-filled approach, despite their lack of “high-tech” material, creates wonderful, never-seen-before pieces of work, proving that your mind is the most important source to success and quality works. 

Smack! Have been wanting to interview the mind behind it all, and amidst her busy schedule with work and school, she managed to answer some questions we sent to her. 

So, Hello, I'm so excited for you to answer these questions. 
So first of all, can you introduce yourself? Where are you from? What do you do? 
NAYA: My name is Naya, I’m 19 years old and currently a student at Limkokwing University, pursuing a degree in Fashion Design and Business. I’m also the owner of Pandemonium.
How do you get interested in styling people? Is it something that you are “born” to do or is it something you grow into liking?
NAYA: I’ve loved styling since I was in grade 9. I used to style my friends and cousins just for fun, and that’s what made me realize how much I enjoy it. That passion is also the reason I decided to study fashion design.
For me, styling is all about bringing out the model’s own vibe. When the clothes, makeup and overall look match their personality, everything comes together perfectly. I believe every model deserves to wear nice clothes and have great makeup that makes them feel confident.
In a way, you are more than just a stylist (aka. When people think about a stylist is a person who styles clothes and that's it) but also looking at the works you put out, the production is mind blowing and the outfit worn by the model tied to the background, three of these elements tied together to create cohesive photographs. Can you tell us what the usual process is from the start to the end? What is the one thing that makes your photography have that “oomph” factor? 
NAYA: Unlike traditional shoots with strict mood boards and detailed plans, I love working spontaneously. Most of the time, I decide on the spot, sometimes just when we randomly meet on the weekend! Even though we don’t follow a set plan, we always make sure the makeup, camera, and styling are on point. That element of spontaneity keeps everything fresh and exciting.About styling, can you tell us about the process?

Most of my concepts come naturally and are inspired by the moment. I don’t always plan everything in advance, I love going with the flow and creating based on what feels right at that time. Sometimes, it’s the model’s vibe, the location, or even a random idea that sparks the whole concept. I also get inspired by everyday things like colors, textures, and emotions. The key is to stay open-minded and let creativity happen naturally.
Is it something you gather bit by bit, or does the process of forming the concept take place in any other way with your team? 
NAYA: The process is something that builds up bit by bit. I gather ideas from everywhere, whether it’s from personal experiences, art, or even just a feeling I get in the moment. I also collaborate a lot with my team. While I love having that spontaneous element, working with the team allows us to bounce ideas off each other and fine-tune the concepts together. So, while it’s a mix of individual inspiration and teamwork, it always comes together naturally in the end.
As a stylist, are you the type to listen/follow just your own instinct while conceptualizing looks for the sake of maintaining artistic integrity, or are you the type of person who is susceptible to others' opinions and suggestions? Or are you the person who leans between both sides?
NAYA: I’d say I lean more towards trusting my own instincts when conceptualizing looks. I believe in maintaining my artistic integrity and staying true to my vision. While I’m open to feedback during the process, I tend to follow my own creative direction, as I feel it helps keep the final result authentic and true to what I want to express.
Could you talk about the role of the internet in your everyday life as a creative and how it impacts your artistry in any way? 
NAYA: The internet is everything for me as a creative. It’s where I get most of my inspiration, whether it’s scrolling through Instagram, Pinterest, or even TikTok. There’s always something fresh, and it pushes me to stay on top of trends and discover new ideas. Social media is also a way to connect with other creatives and get a sense of what’s going on in the fashion world. Honestly, it’s a bit of a double-edged sword because sometimes it’s overwhelming, but I try to use it as a tool to keep my creativity flowing and stay ahead of the curve.
What is your favorite part when you are starting a new project? 
NAYA: My favorite part when starting a new project is definitely the brainstorming phase. I love getting that initial spark of an idea and just letting my imagination run wild. It’s all about figuring out what the vibe is going to be, and from there, everything falls into place. There’s something exciting about that blank canvas moment when anything is possible and I can shape the whole vision from scratch.
Which fashion trends inspire your current work? What is the one that you adore currently and oppose no matter the circumstances? 
NAYA: The trend I adore right now is archive fashion.
Can you describe your styling style in three words?
NAYA: Actually, our page doesn’t have just one vibe because we want to show people that we can do everything—every vibe, every style. We’re all about versatility.
What is one of your favorite projects you worked on?
My favorite project is ‘crazy lady.’ I call it that because I love how it’s all about bold, sexy, and unpredictable poses from the model. It was such a fun and wild project that really pushed boundaries.
Favorite brand? Fashion show ever? Stylist?
NAYA: I don’t have a favorite brand since my style always changes, but the one thing I never stray from is bold, gothic styles. I’m drawn to anything with that dark, edgy vibe.
As for my favorite fashion show, it would definitely be Rick Owens Spring/Summer 2024. The creativity and the atmosphere of the show were just insane.
I don’t have any favorite stylists in my mind right now, but I am my number one favorite stylist.
Creating each new photoshoot is a hard process, no matter the number of people you are working with. From managing to preparing and editing, it is a stressful process. Tell us how you can create a fun/engaging space for your team while maintaining a level of positive headspace and professionalism.
NAYA: I don’t think it’s that hard for us because we’re all friends, and that makes everything much smoother. We can do whatever we want, and even during shoots, there’s no stress at all. We keep things fun and lighthearted. Honestly, even though we’re working on projects, we’re doing it for fun, and our main goal is to get people to notice us.
Creating a fun, engaging space for my team is all about keeping the vibe chill and letting everyone be themselves. Since we’re all friends, it just flows naturally, there’s no stress, just good energy. We’re always bouncing ideas off each other, and I love that everyone can add their own touch to the project. At the same time, we know when to switch gears and get serious to make sure things get done right. It’s all about keeping it fun while still getting stuff done.
Tell us your ideal group work environment.
NAYA: My ideal group work environment is one where everyone feels comfortable being themselves and can share their ideas freely. I love when there’s good energy and people are genuinely excited to collaborate. It’s all about having a relaxed, no-pressure atmosphere but still being productive. Everyone should feel like their voice matters, and we’re all working together towards the same goal, having fun along the way.
For the fun of it, could you describe each one of your team members with one quality they have that you love?
NAYA: For Hong: He’s a total makeup genius, but honestly, he’s so much more than that. He’s always stepping in as my stylist assistant when needed, and without his makeup skills, our photoshoots would definitely not run as smoothly.
For David and Davan: They’re the creative masterminds behind every set, and they’re the reason why Pandemonium has kept going. They’ve been with me since the start, putting in work without asking for anything in return. Their passion and dedication are what really keep everything moving forward. 
What is your fashion advice?
NAYA: My fashion advice is simple: there’s no right or wrong when it comes to style. Wear what makes you feel confident and true to yourself. Don’t feel pressured to follow trends or fit into a box. Experiment with different looks, mix things up, and most importantly, have fun with it. Fashion is all about self-expression, so just do you!
Talking about advice, could you give some to aspiring stylists or creatives in general? 
NAYA: For aspiring stylists or creatives, my biggest advice is to stay true to your own vision and not get caught up in what others are doing. It’s easy to compare yourself to others, but your unique perspective is what will set you apart. Keep experimenting, take risks, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes; that’s how you grow. Also, network and build relationships with others in the industry. Surround yourself with people who inspire you and challenge you to be better. And most importantly, never stop learning and evolving.
What are you hoping to do or achieve in the future? Tell us your goals briefly.
NAYA: In the future, I want to get more recognition and build my name even further. I’ve already hit my second step. My third step is to get involved in the music industry, working with artists and also growing my influence as a creative. I want to start building that before I finish university. My fourth step is to continue studying abroad for two more years after university, with the goal of going global and becoming a worldwide name in the industry. I definitely need to be successful before I turn 30, and that’s the drive that pushes me to keep working hard and moving forward.