Conversations with Shanaya Santos

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanaya Santos.

Shanaya, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Growing up, I was constantly moving from country to country because of my father’s job, so I became familiar with goodbyes to places, people, and even versions of myself. Through all of that change, the one thing that always remained constant was my curiosity and creativity. Film became my escape. I was captivated by cinematography, vivid color palettes, and the way stories could be told visually, which naturally led me to fashion. I would spend hours drawing little models and putting together my own fashion shows with my cousins and friends, which that passion eventually became something much bigger. Despite being told the industry was unrealistic and facing doubts and pressures from the outside while starting VOID, I continued to trust my creativity and pursue that vision I believed in.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of my biggest struggles has been navigating things that are not entirely within my control, especially the early stages of growing a company. As a creative, it’s easy to look at others’ success stories and compare your journey to theirs, especially when their achievements seem to happen so quickly. Over time, I’ve had to remind myself that everyone’s path unfolds differently. Growth takes time, and comparison can distract someone of their own progress. I’ve learned to focus on building something meaningful at my own pace and to trust that consistency, creativity, and patience will eventually lead me where I’m meant to be.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
The power of makeup has been an early passion of mine in the world of visual storytelling and continues to shape the way I approach creativity today. What first drew me to makeup was not just the beauty aspect of it, but the ability it has to completely transform emotion, identity, and atmosphere within an image. I became fascinated by how makeup could help build a character, elevate a fashion concept, or communicate a feeling without saying a word. I’m someone who is deeply curious about every layer of the artistic process, which is why I’ve always wanted to learn as much as possible across different creative disciplines. Whether it is makeup, styling, branding, production, or concept development, I love understanding how all of these elements come together to create impactful visual work. I think what sets me apart from others is my multidisciplinary approach and willingness to learn and constantly to evolve creatively. Ive never seen art as something confined to one medium, but as a connected world where every detail contributes to the final story being told.

How do you think about luck?
Being raised outside of America by African parents, I consider myself very lucky that my parents have supported me in all of my decisions in regards to wanting to pursue a career in the arts and not simply do the safest option and more stable one, which was something that they had to choose when they were once my age. Im extremely grateful for all of the opportunities and lessons i’ve learned since starting college, which was where everything began.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.voiidcollective.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shanayakarinaa/

Image Credits
First image
Model – ig https://www.instagram.com/angelycelynch/

Second image
Model – https://www.instagram.com/yowasupfoo/