Style profile: Maria, Hoshi*Furu vocalist

MARIA

Maria is the vocalist for HOSHI*FURU, a J-rock/pop-influenced band based in Toronto.

Can you tell us about HOSHI*FURU?
We’re really crazy. We love playing music together, and we love making stuff together. We always hang out, and we’re really close. That’s the best part of HOSHI*FURU.

Shoes: I got them from Payless. These are American Eagle.
Shorts: They’re from Kensington Market, from this boutique called Usato. They have really nice things there. I used to buy everything from that store.
Dress: I got it from Pacific Mall. It was on sale, so I had to get it. It’s really comfortable, too.
Purple hoodie: American Apparel
Scarf: Usato
Glasses: Usato
Drag cart: Betsy Johnson, from Winners

Why is fashion/personal style important to you?
It describes who I am just by looking at what I wear. Fashion, along with music, is basically my lifestyle. Plus, I build up more of a relationship with my older sister, Esther, whenever we shop around or talk about clothes.  : P

How would you describe your personal style?
Really depends on what the day is like (i.e. weather) and what mood I’m in. Most of the time, my hairstyles vary. My absolute favourite is the odango style. I put my hair up into a ball like Sailor Moon, but with just one on the very middle of my head.

I carry different styles of backpacks – my favourite kind of bags – and hang them low so that they cover my backside. Also, the bags need to have a large key chain attached to a zipper.

In my closet would be all sorts of polka dot colours on my clothes, and
other types of patterns, including plaids and checkers.

Let’s just say the majority of the clothes I have symbolizes me as a wild child.

What are your style influences/inspirations?
I grew out of this but I have to give mad props to the kids in the Japanese underground fashion scene. Because of their unique and over-the-top styles, I instantly fell in love with them and it‘s what made me aware of fashion in general. They don’t care what others think of them, and I like that!

Here in North America, not many people wear extravagant clothing in
multiple layers, a ton of accessories, and funky hairstyles like the kids do in Japan.  : /

Not many people here like the idea of stepping out of their doors dressed as a porcelain doll or Strawberry Shortcake. People here are mostly too into commercialized shops and tend to look like everyone else you see in the streets.

Favourite designers?
Anna Sui. Hands down. Her work gives me a lot of inspiration for my designs. Love her cosmetics line, by the way. Also, the vocalist Ryuuji, of the Japanese band ZORO. Dude makes his own clothes and wears them to their gigs! Man, do they look as wild as ever.

MARIA

Where do you like to shop?
Mostly downtown, because that’s where I’m at when I’m not home in Scarborough, hehehe. Definitely has to be Kensington Market, Chinatown, Queen Street West, and wherever my sister or my friends take me. Pacific Mall is definitely a must because when the sales are on, you’ll see me there, dude! I get my band shirts at shows our guitarist, Nan, and I attend.

Whose style do you admire?
One of them would definitely have to be G-YUN, the vocalist of the Japanese ska band GOLLBETTY, and a former model of the fashion magazine called Zipper. She always has something different up her sleeves. Every month she comes up with a drastic change.

What was the last cool thing you bought?
Oh, wow, that was quite a long time ago, hehehe. The most recent shopping spree I’ve had was a few weeks ago. It’s got to be my Polaroid camera. I’ve always wanted to own one of those ever since I was a kid. Although the film’s expensive, it’s fun to take pictures with them.

What is your next must-have purchase?
Hair extensions. I’ve always had the cheap and frail ones. This time, I’ll look for something much more pricey and long-lasting. Besides, with the hair extensions, my odango hair will be much bigger.

What is your favourite city?
Hong Kong — hell yeah! I’m so going to fly back there next summer to go on a shopping spree with my cousins. Stuff over there is cheap and nice.

What can’t you live without?
Lots of stuff! Family, HOSHI*FURU, friends, my laptop, iPod, records, wallet, ID cards, portfolio, and art supplies. I need so much.  : S

Is there anything you would never wear?
A pair of booty shorts. I see girls everywhere with a pair of those shorts on, letting their butt hang out on a hot summer day with guys constantly staring at their junk.

What are your interests and hobbies?
My band, HOSHI*FURU, for sure! We play the type of music we enjoy listening to and have fun with it. Call me nerdy but I have fun with my visual merchandising program in college. Everything in it has to do with design and creative thinking, and those I like and am good at. Oh, of course the hardcore shows Nan and I go to.

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
An emotional person. When I need to cry, I do it alone with nobody around at all.

Last book you read?
A boring short story from my English class last year. Dayum, it’s not even a book.  : |

Last good movie you saw?
American Hardcore, a documentary on 1980‘s hardcore punk bands. Dayum good film for anybody who’s into the hardcore punk music scene!

What would you like to do in the future?
Play, tour, and record with the band and to become a visual
merchandiser part time. That would be it!  : Db

Check out the HOSHI*FURU picture gallery!