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Home · News

Closet Envy: Maya Lake

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
By · Updated October 28, 2020
01
Retro Flair

“I was going out for Fashion’s Night Out in September 2011 and wanted to wear something custom so I put together two different skirts to wear and I ended up wearing a pleated custom Boxing Kitten skirt,” explains Lake. "This was the skirt that I didn’t wear, but I think the colors are much more fit for Spring weather. It is a longer version of the “Althea” skirt which is a part of the Resort 2010 collection."
 
T-shirt by Forever 21, skirt by Boxing Kitten, Turquoise necklace from Albuquerque, NM; gold plated Aztec necklace and African bangles from Dem Two Hands in Montclair, NJ.

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
02
Indigenous Style

“I got the gold necklace and bracelets from my mother’s boutique in Montclair, NJ Dem Two Hands.”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
03
Powerful Pieces

“I love turquoise, it’s more valuable to me than diamonds,” says Lake. “I bought this necklace on a trip to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and every time I wear it I feel amazing.”
 
“More recently I’ve started to buy vintage inspired lingerie, and with this particular look I like to wear a bullet bra. It really gives you that classic vintage silhouette and I am a true believer that your undergarments can set the tone for your whole look.”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
04
Precious Metals

“My earrings are from Guyana and I’ve had them since I was a little girl, maybe 4-years-old.”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
05
Date Night

“I love vintage fashion and I would definitely wear this outfit on a night out with my homegirls or even to dinner with a gentleman caller.”
 
Peep toe pumps by Marc Jacobs.

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
06
Svelte Style

“This was probably one of the first samples for the pencil skirt that I produced. When I first started the business I was my own fit model,” Lake explains, “so I have a lot of pieces in my closet that never went into production or that did, but I have the first sample, and that makes the pieces very special to me.”
 
Tank top by Zara, Tina pencil skirt by Boxing Kitten, sunglasses by Tom Ford, gold rings from Dem Two Hands in Montclair, NJ, sandals by Camilla Skovgaard.

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
07
Perfect Print

“I fell in love with this print and now I can’t find it anywhere! I also made a pair of shorts out of this fabric and Beyoncé ended up wearing them on vacation!”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
08
Gold Rush

“My mother is from Guyana and so I have a lot of Guyanese gold in my jewelry box. Guyanese gold is different from other gold you might find at a jewelry store simply because they alloy the gold with copper instead of nickel or other metals which gives it a deeper reddish yellow tone.”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
09
Skirts The Issue

“I love this length, as you can tell. I think that there is a sexiness to leaving something to the imagination. I love this skirt because I can also wear it all year round.”

“Pair it with tights and wear it in the winter,” suggests Lake.

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
10
Up Close & Personal

Gold rings and bangles from Dem Two Hands boutique in Montclair, NJ.

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
11
Killer Heels

“These Camilla Skovgaard shoes are also a favorite in my closet. They get a lot of wear because the innovative grip style sole makes them super comfortable to wear, and they are so fashion forward that they amp up any outfit I pair them with.”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
12
All Set

“This set is so amazing. I got it from a vintage warehouse and it came as a four piece set, with a matching jacket and skirt. You really don’t find clothing like this anymore! I am dying to wear this set to a barbeque this summer with friends!”
 
Pants set from Lofty Vintage, vintage scarf, shoes by Prada, sunglasses by Tom Ford.

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
13
Catty

“My favorite accessory has to be my Tom Ford Nikita sunnies. I love vintage cat eyes but they are really hard to find in larger sizes. They are usually too narrow for my face shape, so when I saw these cat eye sunnies I knew I had to have them, and I think they are the best thing in my wardrobe. They really compliment my ethnic rockabilly style, and top off any outfit!”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
14
Haute Housewife

“Every time I wear it I feel glamorous and sexy, and I channel my naughty housewife alter ego. I fell in love with the idea of wearing, and designing pieces all in one print, and the boldness and sophistication of that,” explains Lake. “I love this set so much in fact it served as a huge inspiration for my FW 12 collection which will be available September of this year.”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
15
Tied Up

“If I had a signature look it would definitely be my cat eye eyeliner and some kind of hair accessory, especially as it gets hotter and the humidity increases. I love wearing a Rosie Riveter style head scarf, a turban, or just a silk scarf tied around my hairline. It usually adds a punch of color to my outfits, or ties the look together effortlessly.”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
16
Pumped

“These Prada pumps are my current favorite shoes. I love the girliness, the simplicity and sex appeal of these pumps.”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
17
Sound of Music

“This is definitely an ‘out-on-the-town’ look. I would wear this to a party, lounge or an event.”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
18
Standout Style

“The icing on this look for me is truly the shoes. I love these Pierre Hardy’s. They are nude which gives them simplicity but the heel design clearly make the shoes stand out.”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
19
Pattern Play

“I really love playing around with prints! Pairing geometric driven prints that are angular or classic like stripes or polka dots with Boxing Kitten pieces is really fun and easy!”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
20
Knockout Necklace

“I am also a fan of statement necklaces! This piece is by Mexican artist Federico Jimenez who I have known and bought beautiful turquoise and sterling pieces from for years now.”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
21
Dancin’ Machine

“I could easily pair this same look with a pair of flats and head to a concert in the city with my friends. Music is a huge part of my life, and I’m always going to live music shows, so maybe I’d carry a pair of flats in my bag and enjoy a good show!”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
22
Stylish Ride

“This is also another custom Boxing Kitten dress. It is a sample from my very first collection for Boxing Kitten SS09, the Diahann dress.”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
23
Hot Stepper

Sandals by Camilla Skovgaard.

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
24
Sexy Silhouette

“This dress for me is a classic pin up look. The cut is somewhat conservative but the silhouette is what makes this dress sexy, which is again why I chose to wear a bullet bra, because it truly provides that signature vintage look.”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
25
Victory

“The second most important part of this look for me is my hair. I styled my hair in victory rolls and bumper bangs which is a relatively simple hair style, and something that definitely reads as a vintage style.”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
26
Party Print

“I actually wore this on New Year’s Eve this year and the red lip really takes it to the next level.”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
27
Print Power

“The vintage inspiration behind Boxing Kitten celebrates the spirit and lives of women who have come before, and the playfulness and vibrancy of each piece captures the women of today and the future.”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
28
1240983
Closet Envy: Maya Lake
29
Retro Flair

“I was going out for Fashion’s Night Out in September 2011 and wanted to wear something custom so I put together two different skirts to wear and I ended up wearing a pleated custom Boxing Kitten skirt,” explains Lake. "This was the skirt that I didn’t wear, but I think the colors are much more fit for Spring weather. It is a longer version of the “Althea” skirt which is a part of the Resort 2010 collection."
 
T-shirt by Forever 21; skirt by Boxing Kitten, Turquoise necklace from Albuquerque, NM; gold plated Aztec necklace and African bangles from Dem Two Hands in Montclair, NJ.

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
30
Indigenous Style

“I got the gold necklace and bracelets from my mother’s boutique in Montclair, NJ Dem Two Hands.”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
31
Powerful Pieces

“I love turquoise, it’s more valuable to me than diamonds,” says Lake. “I bought this necklace on a trip to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and every time I wear it I feel amazing.”
 
“More recently I’ve started to buy vintage inspired lingerie, and with this particular look I like to wear a bullet bra. It really gives you that classic vintage silhouette and I am a true believer that your undergarments can set the tone for your whole look.”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
32
Precious Metals

“My earrings are from Guyana and I’ve had them since I was a little girl maybe 4 years old.”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
33
Date Night

“I love vintage fashion and I would definitely wear this outfit on a night out with my homegirls or even to dinner with a gentleman caller.”
 
Peep to pumps by Marc Jacobs.

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
34
Svelte Style

“This was probably one of the first samples for the Pencil skirt that I produce. When I first started the business I was my own fit model,” Lake explains, “so I have a lot of pieces in my closet that never went into production or that did, but I have the first sample, and that makes the pieces very special to me.”
 
Tank top by Zara, Tina pencil skirt by Boxing Kitten, sunglasses by Tom Ford, gold rings from Dem Two Hands in Montclair, NJ; sandals by Camilla Skovgaard.

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
35
Perfect Print

“I fell in love with this print and now I can’t find it anywhere! I also made a pair of shorts out of this fabric and Beyoncé ended up wearing them on vacation!”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
36
Gold Rush

“My mother is from Guyana and so I have a lot of Guyanese gold in my jewelry box. Guyanese gold is different from other gold you might find at a jewelry store simply because they alloy the gold with copper instead of nickel or other metals which gives it a deeper reddish yellow tone.”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
37
Skirts The Issue

“I love this length, as you can tell. I think that there is a sexiness to leaving something to the imagination. I love this skirt because I can also wear it all year round…pair it with tights and wear it in the winter,” suggests Lake.

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
38
Up Close & Personal

Gold rings and bangles from Dem Two Hands.

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
39
Killer Heels

“These Camilla Skovgaard shoes are also a favorite in my closet. They get a lot of wear because the innovative grip style sole makes them super comfortable to wear, and they are so fashion forward that they amp up any outfit I pair them with.”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
40
All Set

“This set is so amazing. I got it from a vintage warehouse and it came as a four piece set, with a matching jacket and skirt. You really don’t find clothing like this anymore! I am dying to wear this set to a barbeque this summer with friends!”
 
Pants set from Lofty Vintage; vintage scarf, shoes by Prada, sunglasses by Tom Ford.

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
41
Catty

“My favorite accessory has to be my Tom Ford Nikita sunnies. I love vintage cat eyes but they are really hard to find in larger sizes. They are usually too narrow for my face shape, so when I saw these cat eye sunnies, I knew I had to have them, and I think they are the best thing in my wardrobe. They really compliment my ethnic rockabilly style, and top off any outfit!”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
42
Haute Housewife

“Every time I wear it I feel glamorous and sexy, and I channel my naughty housewife alter ego. I fell in love with the idea of wearing, and designing pieces all in one print, and the boldness and sophistication of that,” explains Lake. “I love this set so much in fact it served as a huge inspiration for my FW 12 collection which will be available September of this year.”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
43
Tied Up

“If I had a signature look it would definitely be my cat eye eyeliner and some kind of hair accessory. Especially as it gets hotter and the humidity increases, I love wearing a Rosie Riveter style head scarf, a turban, or just a silk scarf tied around my hairline. It usually adds a punch of color to my outfits, or ties the look together effortlessly.”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
44
Pumped

“These Prada pumps are my current favorite shoes. I love the girliness, the simplicity and sex appeal of these pumps.”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
45
Sound of Music

“This is definitely an ‘out-on-the-town’ look. I would wear this to a party, lounge or an event. But I could easily pair this same look with a pair of flats and head to a concert in the city with my friends. Music is a huge part of my life, and I’m always going to live music shows, so maybe I’d carry a pair of flats in my bag and enjoy a good show!”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
46
Pattern Play

“I really love playing around with prints! Pairing geometric driven prints that are angular or classic like stripes or polka dots with Boxing Kitten pieces is really fun and easy!”
 
“The icing on this look for me is truely the shoes. I love these Pierre Hardy’s. They are nude which gives them simplicity but the heel design clearly make the shoes stand out.”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
47
Knockout Necklace

“I am also a fan of statement necklaces! This piece is by Mexican artist Federico Jimenez who I have known and bought beautiful turquoise and sterling pieces from for years now.”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
48
Stylish Ride

“This is also another custom Boxing Kitten dress. It is a sample from my very first collection for Boxing Kitten SS09, Diahann dress.”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
49
Hot Stepper

Shoes by Camilla Skovgaard.

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
50
Sexy Silhouette

“This dress for me is a classic pin up look. The cut is somewhat conservative but the silhouette is what makes this dress sexy, which also again why I chose to wear a bullet bra, because it truly provides that signature vintage look.”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
51
Victory

“The second most important part of this look for me is my hair. I styled my hair in victory rolls and bumper bangs which is a relatively simple hair style, and something that definitely reads as a vintage style.”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
52
Party Print

“I actually wore this on New Year’s Eve this year and the red lip really takes it to the next level.”

Closet Envy: Maya Lake
Michael Rowe
53
1240083
Closet Envy: Maya Lake
54
1240123
Closet Envy: Maya Lake

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