Na Hoku Hanohano-winning R&B singer Maryanne Ito is just as memorable onstage for her Polynesian-inspired outfits as for her rich and powerful voice. Ito won a Hoku last year for her R&B album “Waking Up,” which hit No. 4 on the U.K. soul chart.

Her signature look is floor-length, wide-cut, Polynesian-print skirts and dresses in flattering lines — often sewn by her mother, Ruta Papali’i-Ito — and the occasional headscarf made from colorful swaths of fabric. Her style celebrates her multicultural heritage and blends her love of clothes with her love of the stage.

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Fashion inspiration: “I try to incorporate my Polynesian, Asian and African roots into my wardrobe. Much of my inspiration comes from vintage fashion trends, traditional Polynesian, Asian and African attire and, of course, music.”

Favorite local designer: “There are a couple local designers who I have been following and absolutely adore. The first designer I’ve been following is Matt Bruening. I had the opportunity of working with Matt, who has the most impeccable taste. … The second designer I’ve been following is Kaypee Soh. I discovered Kaypee Soh at Honolulu Fashion Week and instantly became a fan.”

Tips for wearing a headscarf: “Feel free to wrap your hair when you’re having a bad hair day. It can definitely give your look a bit of elegance without putting in much effort, too. To add to the look, keep accessorizing. Wear chandelier earrings, sunglasses and your favorite lip gloss. Be bold with your head wraps. Use bright colors and geometric prints. The color of your head wrap doesn’t always have to match the rest of your outfit, and that’s OK. And don’t think there’s a certain way to wrap your hair. Experiment — there is no wrong way of doing it.”

On making fashion and music work together: “They go hand and hand, especially as an artist because my mind is always running with ideas, and these ideas are not just limited to music. When I’m writing a song, I’m also thinking of what will visually complement the music as well. When I’m designing a dress or putting an outfit together, there is always music playing in the background to inspire me. It’s just wonderful to be able to express yourself in different ways.”

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By Erin Smith, special to the Star-Advertiser. Island Lookbook is a weekly feature that spotlights local trendsetters. Contact features@staradvertiser.com.