The über busy, well traveled and globally inspired Mara Hoffman has had a successful ready-to wear collection for years now. Being a favorite of celebrities such as Kate Hudson and Naomi Campbell one of her big breaks was featured clothing on “Sex and the City”. In her first showing at Mercedes Benz Swim she incorporates her beautiful silk prints and nomadic sensibility into a resort collection so luxurious it might actually drip off the models in the ninety-eight degree heat. Lynn Furge jumped backstage just as the first looks were being placed on the girls to ask Mara a little bit about why swim and why silk?
Lynn Furge: What made you choose to show at Mercedes Benz Swim?
Mara Hoffman: We did a swim collection last year and it was received so well that we wanted to grow the line and unveil it on a larger stage.
LF: You seem to have a fascination with travel and indigenous people. How do you implement that into your collection and how do you make the indigenous theme look luxurious?
MH: I feel it is the only direction I always go. It is the backbones of the brand.
LF: Your silk scarf prints are one of the things that signify “Mara Hoffman”. I read in your blog about your favorite scarf? Why silks and how do you translate that fabric choice into swim?
MH: The scarf travels with me… it is actually sitting back there (gestures to a rack in the back of the stage holding the scarf). I love working with silks. I can get such a great print quality out of them. It is a familiar fabric for me, and I understand how it works, drapes, feels etc. Then I keep the print theme running in the swim pieces.
LF: What comes first in your designs? Color, Cut or Print?
MH: Always print, then color then cut.
LF: Where do you see your current collection? Beach, Pool or Boat?
MH: The Beach definitely. I really want my customer to be inspired to travel the world. I see my collection on beaches everywhere from India to France, Israel anywhere.
And after running back to the front of the stage to catch the pieces in action, Hoffman’s vision lived up to its inspiration. The beautiful rich prints and gauzy silk kaftans had a bit of a 70’s vibe. The red, yellow and turquoise palette with graphic black lines had a strong Indian influence (we loved the Headdress and Scarab collections). The beading was exquisite! The turbans and scarves adorning the model’s heads were spot on, and the galaxy prints were sophisticated yet playful. And upon exiting the venue we over-heard two editors exclaiming that they “wanted every piece”. The beauty in the collection was with all of the sheer feminine nuances, the suits were sturdy enough to swim in, which is a welcome change from the typical fashion house. We will travel where ever Hoffman wants to take us, as long as she packs her Resort collection with her.
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