10 posts tagged "Mara Hoffman"
Pamela Loves Parties
Pamela Love’s approach to Fall ’13 was, as she succinctly put it, “No show, just a party.” Last night, the jewelry designer was at Milk Studios, her usual fashion-week venue—but she wasn’t posted in one of the white-walled studios. This time around, she was in the underground concert space, hosting a closing night of sorts for MADE fashion week. (This side of the Atlantic, at least: The emerging-designer-friendly platform will have its inaugural season in Paris later this month, at the Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild.)
Not that Love has been a slouch this show season: She did the accessories for Mara Hoffman, Creatures of the Wind, and Monique Lhuillier. Her Valentine’s Day basement party provided a warm-up of sorts for the back-in-action blues band VietNam, which has a new album out and is about to start touring. Fun fact: The band’s label, Mexican Summer, is run by Andres Santo Domingo and Keith Abrahamsson—gents who are both married to high-powered fashion pros.
“I definitely felt a little bit of emptiness in my heart this season, because I love doing presentations,” said Love, whose jewelry showcases tend to be the opposite of generic. “But I wanted to keep it more private this time around. And presentations are a lot of work.”
Aloha from Mara Hoffman
Designer Mara Hoffman exudes a certain spirituality—a quality that is refreshing in the fashion industry—and her penchant for inner peace and all that is otherworldly shines through in her Spring ’13 collection. Hoffman, who is best known for her bold prints and swimwear, titled her Spring range Aloha, which, according to Hoffman’s kupuna (i.e., her elder guiding figure), means “the presence of divine breath.” It also happens to be the Hawaiian word for love, hello, and good-bye. “I felt attached to the spirit of the word,” said Hoffman, noting that she appreciates its simultaneous simplicity and complexity. Hoffman united all aspects of aloha in a short Spring film, which, shot by Neil Krug and styled by Richard Ruiz, starring Phoenix and featuring music by E*Vax and White Wizard, debuts exclusively on Style.com (above).
“The goal was to share some aloha love with people and also capture the essence of being a ‘warrior of light.’ I remind myself every day to ‘be light,’ and wanted to bring that into a visual realm,” Hoffman said. “If anyone could get what I was going for, it was Neil. After we wrapped, we laughed about how we’re both seen as these cosmic weirdo hippie types. In reality, we’re both down-to-earth and hardworking animals.” As far as the final cinematic result, Hoffman jokes, “It’s a little out there, but so am I.”
Browsing Kenzo, Missoni, Mara Hoffman, And Comme des Garçons—Without Leaving Your Hotel
Holiday travel tends to be about relaxing, not shopping, but just because there’s no Colette or Dover Street Market in sight doesn’t mean there’s no way to bring home a worthy souvenir. Hotel boutiques, formerly enclaves of sunscreen and snow globes, have been stepping up in recent years, offering selections to rival department stores—often with much closer proximity to the beach.
At hip Caribbean enclave Viceroy Anguilla, hotel retailer Seaside Luxe is building a zigzag-print tent on the beach in partnership with Missoni Home. The tent opens Christmas Day and features retractable walls and loungers where guests can catch some sun and browse items like Mara Hoffman caftans, Eugenia Kim sun hats, Jennifer Fisher jewelry, and a $350 limited-edition Missoni Home tote (above). “The guests here are buying items they’re going to wear [on vacation] and at home,” said Seaside Luxe founder Lee Ann Sauter.
At the Faena Hotel boutique in Buenos Aires, creative director Ximena Caminos curates a mix of high-end items with a Latin flare. She cites Panama hats by California-based brand Greenpacha and Brazilian bikinis by Nina Swim as must-have holiday items. “We do well with classic Argentine items like alpaca ponchos, traditional silver pieces, and carved crystal objets,” said Caminos, noting that she maintains the store’s local flavor by stocking a selection of wares by Argentine designers.Just a hop north at the Standard Shop in the Standard Hotel Miami, Comme des Garçons’ limited-edition holiday star pouches are the big get of the season. Also on hand are quirky home items like Maison Martin Margiela’s melting wax candles and the Berlin Boombox (above), a modern MP3 system disguised as an old-school boom box by Berlin-based designer Axel Pfaender. “We love small gifts that are easy to travel with, such as jewelry and accessories and special, rare hostess gifts,” said the store’s director of retail, Denise Downing.For those celebrating a classic New York Christmas, Opening Ceremony at the Ace Hotel is offering one-of-a-kind holiday items, like Le Labo candles, Kenzo iPhone cases (left), and Yoko Ono’s recently-released and much discussed menswear collaboration based on her illustrations from 1969. One-of-a-kind pieces are also a draw for those vacationing on the West Coast. Ayana Tribitt, retail curator at the SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills, is stocking the boutique with Nialaya bracelets that guests can customize on site. Their Assouline books always make for reliable gifts, while $2,500 Toro masks cater to the more adventurous shopper.
Farther south at the Cuixmala resort on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, the dress code is luxe-casual. Hotel owner Alix Marcaccini sets a relaxed tone at the boutique with caftans by Temperley and beachwear and accessories by Christophe Sauvat. “People here want sarongs and flip-flops, no heels, and long flowy dresses—anything comfortable,” said Marcaccini. “They’re looking for fluid, feminine, sensual clothes.”
Marina Larroude’s Holiday Packing List
This holiday week, I’m looking forward to spending as much time as I can outside by the pool with my daughter, playing ping pong, and enjoying a night out with my husband and friends. When it comes to bikinis, black is my go-to color, but this summer I want to try something different and fell in love with this Mara Hoffman tribal-inspired set. To top off any summer look, Dezso by Sara Beltran offers the coolest jewelry and printed pouches. The pouches can be used as a beauty bag for the beach or pool, and for the evening, they can be worn as clutches. Also, for my time spent poolside, I use tanning lotion from Ligne St. Barth—it’s an old favorite. A friend introduced me to this line and I’ve been obsessed by their entire range of products ever since.
For those hot summer nights, T by Alexander Wang has the dress shape of the season, the slipdress, in a variety of neutral and bright colors, but for now, red feels like the appropriate way to go. To turn it into an office-appropriate look, I’ll add my Current/Elliott denim jacket and I’ll be good to go. Find all of the items I’ll be packing for my holiday getaway, here.
From top left to right: Mara Hoffman triangle bikini, $195, available at www.net-a-porter.com; T by Alexander Wang V-neck slipdress, $295, available at www.kirnazabete.com; Dezso by Sara Beltrán bracelet, $1,350, available at www.dezsosara.com; Ligne St. Barth tanning oil, $48, available at www.lignestbarth.com; DVF ping pong set, $95, available at www.dvf.com; Dezso by Sara Beltrán bag, $65, available at www.dezsosara.com.
On Our Radar: Soludos x Mara Hoffman
The weather has at last warmed up and it looks like sandal season is here to stay. But sometimes sandals just don’t make the cut for beach excursions or those sweltering days in the city. Introducing designer Mara Hoffman’s shoe collaboration for Soludos. Hoffman’s signature, boho prints, in four different vibrant styles, offer a fresh take on the classic espadrille. Style.com has an exclusive first look at the collection ($45), above. Soludos x Mara Hoffman is available at Marahofffman.com and Soludos.com on May 21.