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Fashion Times
Fashion Times
Lifestyle
Naomi Parris

Most Memorable Fashion Moments: Designer Mara Hoffman is Bidding Adieu

Mara Hoffman holds her Environmental Sustainability Award at the 2023 CFDA Fashion Awards. (Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

The fashion world is in mourning as New York-based brand and sustainable champion Mara Hoffman announced the closing of her eponymous label on May 19. After 24 years of crafting a brand identity of whimsical designs with sophisticated authority and ethical practices, Hoffman broke the news in a Vogue interview stating, "This is by far the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life." She also alerted customers and supporters in a post on her Instagram and the brand's website. The decision to shut down was years in the making with Hoffman making the final call in January. "I didn't want other people's ideas of solutions and how they thought it could be fixed or where I could have done things differently," she said in the exclusive.

After graduating from Parsons in 1999, Hoffman launched the brand that would become one of fashion's most respected sustainable labels, worn by the likes of Beyoncé, Katy Perry, and Chrissy Teigen. Her unmatched craftmanship gained popularity thanks to Patricia Field who admired her work and began selling Hoffman's pieces in her East Village store. She's even earned a CFDA Award for her steadfast commitment to sustainability that included supply chain restructuring and investing in workers to qualify for Fair Trade certifications which eventually led to financial challenges. With such responsibilities, she decided that the brand's spring 2024 collection will be its last.

Although we'll miss the artistry of the Mara Hoffman label, the designer reassured us that her work is far from done, "I am looking forward to resting for a moment and then welcoming beautiful new invitations into my life. I know that I am here to help, and I am so excited to see how this unfolds." As we await her next move, keep scrolling for a few of our favorite runway moments from the sustainable powerhouse.

Spring 2024

The Zia Dress in cream. (Credit: Mara Hoffman)

Spring/Summer 2021

A model wears the Freya dress from Hoffman's spring/summer 2021 collection. (Credit: Spotlight Launchmetrics)

Spring/Summer 2019

A model poses in a white button-down midi dress during the brand's SS19 show. (Credit: Spotlight Launchmetrics)

Spring/Summer 2018

A model in the Arlene pants. (Credit: Spotlight Launchmetrics)

Fall/Winter 2017

A model wearing the brand's striped puffer. (Credit: Spotlight Launchmetrics)

Spring/Summer 2016

Hoffman walks the spring/summer 2016 runway with her son while wearing matching cloud ensembles. (Credit: Spotlight Launchmetrics)

Spring/Summer 2014

A model wearing the Rainbow dress. (Credit: Spotlight Launchmetrics)
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