Mara Hoffman
a visual presence of sustainable practices and inclusivity, mara hoffman has always been inspired by and in celebration of women through her lively colorful collections.
We had the opportunity to hear more about her commitment to sustainable and responsible practices, the role of a recyclable and reusable garment, and how difficult times helped shine a light on the importance of transitions within work and life.
Interview NICOLE GAVRILLES
Photography MARTINA KEENAN
Styling BÁRBARA VÉLEZ
Model NYA GATBEL for ELITE
Tell us a little bit about your background.
I grew up in Buffalo, NY. I knew from an early age that I wanted to be a fashion designer, though originally I thought I was going to go into costume design. I studied at Parsons, which was my dream school. I learned from incredible leaders and started my own line the summer after graduating with handmade one of a kind pieces that I sold to friends and consignment stores.
What would you say is the biggest inspiration or purpose for Mara Hoffman?
I would say my biggest inspiration is beauty through a relationship with nature, and the pursuit of healing. Healing the human race feels essential at this time in order to heal the planet. I am inspired by subtle energies and being in flow. I also find inspiration in the contrast that exists as well.
What is unique about your creative process?
I pull from intuition and emotion. I also thrive in collaboration, I find it essential to rest and restore between creative sprints.
What drew you towards making your brand sustainable?
The shift in 2015 was prompted by deep discomfort. Once I started to learn about how harmful the fashion industry was to the environment, I realized I wasn’t willing to move my company forward the way we had been running it. I also was becoming more conscious about being a mother-whose child was three at the time, and understanding what my actual ‘legacy’ would be. I asked myself what his reality would look like? I didn’t want to leave more harmful ‘stuff’ on this planet behind. To me there were only two options: to close shop or completely change our methods. So we chose change.
What would you define as the key aspects that make your brand sustainable?
Sustainability is a frame of mind. It is a set of guiding principles to do better, make more informed decisions through the lens of racial, social and environmental justice, and practice with kindness, accountability, and change front of mind. The act of putting more clothing in the world is inherently unsustainable, our approach is to to design and manufacture our garments with greater care, to reduce our impact on the planet and its inhabitants, and generate continued action within our community. There is always room for improvement and innovation. Sustainability for us is a tool of disruption that breaks down archaic systems that only benefit a few and ultimately rebuilds a more equitable framework- for people AND the planet.
“We recognize that natural resources are finite and we aim to keep our products in circulation for as long as possible; reusing, repairing, remanufacturing, sharing and recycling.”
It shows that not just sustainability is the core of your brand, but also ethics. When factoring in production of your pieces for each collection, what areas are the most important to you?
Sustainability runs a lot deeper than fabrics and manufacturing, it is crucial to advocate for the humans behind your brand- and that means every single human that touches our brand from farms to factory workers, HQ employees to warehouse employees- every single person should be a top priority for any company.
We were so excited with the launch of the Full Circle Marketplace in April. Can you tell us a little bit about how the idea came to be and the message you’re hoping to spread with this initiative?
Thank you! We are excited too. As a brand, we are committed to promoting the longevity of our garments. We recognize that natural resources are finite and we aim to keep our products in circulation for as long as possible; reusing, repairing, remanufacturing, sharing and recycling. Of course our hope is that our customer will wear their Mara Hoffman pieces for as long as possible, and once they feel like they want to let it go, now they can give it a chance at another life through our own resale platform. We partnered with Recurate to create Full Circle Marketplace which is a dedicated space to buy and sell pre-owned Mara Hoffman garments. Full Circle gives our customers the opportunity to recirculate their clothing on a community-centric platform run by us, with the aim of keeping clothing in circulation and out of landfills for as long as possible.
“Once I started to learn about how harmful the fashion industry was to the environment, I realized I wasn’t willing to move my company forward the way we had been running it....To me there were only two options: to close shop or completely change our methods. So we chose change.”
What's been the most challenging hurdle you have come across/overcome since starting Mara Hoffman?
Our biggest hurdles have been around money. Being an independent company without financial backing is definitely a challenge to say the least. 2020 as a whole was by far our largest hurdle! We managed to make it through though and I believe we are rebuilding toward an even more thoughtful and stable version of our former self.
What were some (if any) inspirational moments of creativity that sparked during quarantine this past year?
The pandemic gave us an invitation to let our broken parts go and create the space for new systems and new life. We had a choice to either accept this invitation to transform with grace, or be forced to change painfully as we gripped on to our old ways, even if they could no longer serve us. We made changes within the company that we had been discussing for years, but were too trapped in the illusion of comfort to jump off of the “wheel” and try. For instance, we made big changes to our internal calendars and our company’s structure. At the same time recognizing there has been so much heartbreak and loss globally and that is not lost on me. I see it as a great responsibility to show up however challenging or painful it may be- because I am able to and I do not take that for granted.
On a personal level, my family and I moved into nature which has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life. I have been cultivating an intimate relationship with nature that up until now, I was only able to intellectualize as opposed to actually living the experience of it. I have been in continuous dialogue with my environment and graciously receiving the abundant streams of creativity that she so generously gives.
What impression/legacy do you hope your work will leave behind?
That my company was a collective of caring human beings that prioritized the interconnectedness of humans and nature. That the work we created helped to make others feel beauty, joy, and hope. That we were thoughtful leaders in pursuit of something better for all living things.
Something you're currently reading/listening to/watching:
Currently/always tuning in to: Dr. Joe Dispenza, Bruce Lipton, Ram Dass, Marianne Williamson
One thing you’re looking forward to…
The collective shift into a higher consciousness that will lift us out of our pain, struggles, and disconnectedness and transition us into LOVE, connectedness and ONENESS with each other and this beautiful planet.
For more information about Mara Hoffman, follow on instagram.
Interview published for ONE Magazine Online