BOFFO & THE LAKE & STARS POP-UP

Non-profit arts and culture organisation BOFFO has opened the fourth installation in its second annual Building Fashion series with New York-based The Lake & Stars and New York design studio SOFTlab.

Nikki Dekker explain what drove the collaboration forward. "We chose SOFTlab because they approach design the same way that we do. They take references that don’t have to do with architecture in a similar way that we design our lingerie using specific humorous and nostalgic references."


Working on a retail space isn’t typical for SOFTlab. The design firm is best known for interactive gallery installations. "We always say that design happens in a vacuum and commercial happens somewhere else," said Szivos. "We wanted to merge them in this project."

The intimates designers Maayan Zilberman and Nikki Dekker worked with SOFtlab owner and architect Michael Szivos to create a space that merges commercial retail with art in a thoughtful way. The design duo, the first intimate apparel line to win an Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation award, wanted to juxtapose sexual peep-show references with the nostalgic idea of a children's viewfinder toy.

Visitors enter the shop and are greeted by a matt black wall with protruding 3D structures where shoppers can peer into dichroic acrylic boxes and see a kaleidoscopic view of the retail space and mannequins behind the wall. The dichroic acrylic changes colour depending on the viewing angle. Peeking underneath the wall are 10 sets of feet wearing black Nike Air Force 1 hi-top sneakers with The Lake & Stars logo, a collaboration between the brands. The shoes are available by special order.  

Inside the black structure is a stark white retail space housing the merchandise and 10 bespoke mannequins designed by Rootstein, each wearing disheveled wigs, styled in ponytails or buns, and a bright orange lipstick. The mannequins, which each wear a piece from The Lake & Stars past 10 seasons, serve as a retrospective for the designers. 

The brand designed 125 pieces exclusively for the pop-up, which represent bestselling styles. Hosiery, hand-painted pumps, branded candy, sleepover toothbrushes, voodoo candles and magnets are also for sale. The bras, underwear and chemises hang on reflective laser-cut hangers with The Lake & Stars logo. Bras retail for around $125 and a pair of panties retail for around $40.

This is The Lake & Stars' first US pop-up and the brand doesn’t have a standalone location. "This is a great way to test what it’s like to have a store and how it would do," said Zilberman.