This week’s style diary is about the young and lovely Maya Henry. The young It-girl originally from San Antonio and who spends a lot of time in New York made headlines a few months ago for having a star-studded Quinceañera which reportedly cost her parents $6 million. But Maya Henry is more than that. She is involved in philanthropy and community engagement and is an avid supporter of the Hillary Clinton 2016 presidential campaign. Maya uses her social media and the hashtag #teensforhillary, which she hopes to use to mobilize her 40,000 Instagram followers and to bring awareness to issues involving female empowerment and opportunities for Latina American women. She hopes to show that even if you aren’t old enough to vote, you can still make a difference.
Recently, Maya attended the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) Fashion Awards along with the likes of Beyoncé, Michael Kors, Heidi Klum, and Naomi Campbell. At the event, Maya was seated with Canadian international fashion model Coco Rocha and reality television personality Jonathan Cheban, who share Maya’s interest in fashion. This week, she is sharing with us her perspective on Style.
Sibylle Eschapasse: Describe your style?
Maya Henry: My style varies. Most of the time I dress very chic but comfortable. I go from girly jumpsuits with heels to a boho look. Sometimes I go for a tomboyish look, stealing my brother’s bomber jackets or shirts.
Ms. Eschapasse: If a close friend were to describe your personality in three words, what would they be?
Ms. Henry: Crazy in a good way, funny, and loyal. I’m very shy and quiet until you get to know me, but then once I know someone I let loose!
Ms. Eschapasse: What is the wildest thing you ever wore?
Ms. Henry: I honestly do not wear wild outfits! I try to stay away from that. The craziest thing I’ve ever worn was my favorite outfit ever when I was six years old. It was a Dolce & Gabbana tie-dye half shirt and Capri pants with fringe and colored beads on each end.
Recently the wildest thing—which isn’t that wild—was a Chanel multi-colored long skirt with a Chanel patent leather jacket with pearls on it that I wore to meet Hillary Clinton.
Ms. Eschapasse: How do you dress on workdays versus weekends?
Ms. Henry: My workdays consist of playing tennis and working out every day and traveling a lot. So the way I dress during the week versus weekends is drastically different. During the week I wear mostly really cute tennis and workout outfits, usually by Lululemon or Adidas by Stella McCartney. I have so much Lululemon clothing that you would be shocked. I always make sure that my workout outfits are on point and that I am always matching and coordinated!
When I travel during the week, I dress stylish and comfortable. Cute sweats with a crop top and tennis shoes, such as my Adidas Yeezys; or jeans with a nice top and my very comfortable Hermès tennis shoes that feel like clouds!
My weekend look usually means jeans with boots or cut-off denim shorts with my Yeezys and a tank top Wolford bodysuit (my fav!) during the day, and in the evening I wear a jumpsuit or a dress with heels. One of my favorite lines of clothing is from Zimmerman; they have great dresses and jumpsuits. Their bikinis and cover-ups are amazing as well, because you can wear them around town for the day!
Ms. Eschapasse: What are three accessories you can’t live without and what’s one item that makes you instantly more confident?
Ms. Henry: Three accessories that I cannot live without are a great handbag, amazing shoes, and my phone!! An item that makes me instantly confident would be awesome heels! I feel taller and instantly confident.
Ms. Eschapasse: Who have been your greatest fashion influences?
Ms. Henry: I have so many but here are some:
Amal Clooney—I love how she is always classy but will take risks with her fashion.
Bella Hadid—she always dresses comfortable but pretty at the same time.
Jennifer Lopez—she always looks amazing! She very rarely makes mistakes with her red carpet looks. Whether she is in jeans or an evening gown she looks polished and on top of her game. She is actually even more beautiful in person.
Kate Middleton—I love how she always looks elegant and is a great style role model to show young girls that you can dress classy and still be beautiful!
Ms. Eschapasse: Who is your style icon?
Ms. Henry: I have two style icons:
The first is Jackie Kennedy. She has a signature style that is still relevant and replicated today, such as big, oversized glasses, A-line dresses, big hair with volume, and pearls. Jackie Kennedy wore beautiful designer gowns but also could wear wide-leg pants with scarves and look amazing!
And Lynn Wyatt—she is the ultimate socialite and dresses the part with spot-on style. And she is from Texas!
Ms. Eschapasse: What does having style mean to you? In other words, please define style.
Ms. Henry: Style is your personality and your character. Style is about you and your attitude. You can look at what someone is wearing and sort of already know their personality. Style is so unique!
Ms. Eschapasse: What is one purchase you’re most proud of?
Ms. Henry: A vintage Japanese souvenir bomber jacket from downtown vintage shop, What Goes Around Comes Around, in New York.
Ms. Eschapasse: What would you pay a lot of money for, and what would you never pay much money for?
Ms. Henry: I would pay a lot of money for any Hermès Birkin or Kelly bag.
I would not pay a lot of money for anything that is trendy or that I am not sure I would wear again.
Ms. Eschapasse: When you go on the red carpet, how do you want your outfit to make you feel? Which designers can achieve that?
Ms. Henry: When I am on the red carpet I want to feel confident, plain and simple.
Designers that make me feel confident are Valentino, Balmain, Etro, and Versace. Shoes that I like on the red carpet are Christian Louboutins.
Ms. Eschapasse: What do you think of how others dress and what’s your advice to people who would like to develop their personal style?
Ms. Henry: I love how other people dress and how each person is so unique and different. I love to see people take risks, and I think an outfit can tell you a lot about someone’s personality or mood. You can take the same outfit and each person will make it look so different on them, as a reflection of their personality.
My advice to people who want to develop their own personal style would be to wear whatever makes them feel happy, comfortable, and confident. There is no wrong way to dress. I say if you like it, rock it!
Maya’s Favorites
Favorite color: Pink
Favorite perfume: Creed’s Love In White
Favorite restaurant in NY: Per Se for fine dining, Cosme for Mexican food, the Mercer Kitchen and By Chloe (vegan restaurant) for lunch.
Favorite drink: ALO real Aloe Vera water and the lattes at Cha Cha Matcha in NYC.
Favorite movie: “The Great Gatsby” (with Leo of course!)
Favorite book: “Miracle on 49th Street” by Mike Lupica. I read this when I was really young and I still love it today.
Favorite quote: “When life puts you in tough situations, don’t say why me?...say try me!!!”
Sibylle’s “Style Diary” is a column that explores style from the perspective of choices, and what that means for different people, with personal advice from some of the most stylish people in New York.
Sibylle Eschapasse is from Paris and now lives in Manhattan. She is a journalist and a contributing writer to various publications. Sibylle is also the author of a children’s book, “Argy Boy a New York Dog Tale.” She may be reached at [email protected]
