MEET MAZA

"Growing up my parents would put me in pink clothes, but once I started feeling like myself, I started to wear things that I felt like I’m good in.”

On most days graphic designer Maza, who hails from Australia, likes to park herself in front of her laptop at a cafe with good wifi. But one lazy afternoon Oxygen pried the streetwear lover away from the screen to shoot our new spring collection on the hardcourt. As she styled our 90s inspired pieces - laying them out flat on the floor then getting up on the bleachers to check on the overall *aesthetic* - we find out why she likes to borrow from the boys, plus her top 5 pieces for a starter street wardrobe.

OXYGEN: How did you get into streetwear?

MAZA: I have an older brother, he was always about that oversized, comfortable, streetwear fashion. And now my boyfriend for 6 years now - he’s a personal trainer, he’s more of the fitness kind of sporty look. So with those two influences - oversized comfort and sporty - it turned into me, so it’s kinda like my style now.

OXYGEN: Before then were you ever a girly girl?

MAZA: Growing up I was always the tomboy, though my parents would put me in pink clothes, dresses, skirts and stuff like that. But once I started feeling like myself, I became more comfortable in my skin. I started to wear things that I felt like I’m good in. I had a boho phase as a teenager as well.

OXYGEN: Who are your style inspirations now?

MAZA: Rihanna, Rihanna is the goddess. Although I do have local Australian influencers that inspire me. She’s Filipino as well, her name is Rachel Tee Tyler. Very sporty and very similar vibes to me and inspiration. Pretty much what inspires me is what others are wearing around me.

OXYGEN: How does graphic design influence how you dress?

MAZA: I guess because as a graphic designer, I got an eye for aesthetic and what actually looks good. It kind of helps me style things like as you saw before while I was styling, I have to put it on the ground and go above it and see it with an angle. That’s kind of the same with graphic design. You look at the bigger picture and the nitty gritty.

OXYGEN: What are 5 key pieces a girl must have if she’s building a streetwear inclined wardrobe?

MAZA: Sneakers! White sneakers. That’s the base piece. Denim of any sort – denim jacket or denim jeans - it doesn’t matter what denim as long as it fits your figure. And you can’t go wrong with a black tee, cargo pants [or] white flare pants. And a dad cap for those days off.

OXYGEN: What’s your go-to cut for jeans?

MAZA: Right now I’m going through a flare bottoms phase - it’s very disco and when you move, it kinda moves with your feet.