Mara Hoffman Fall 2013 collection: Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves

February 19, 2013

By Sheryl Blasnik

For her Fall/Winter 2013 collection shown at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, designer Mara Hoffman delivered a colorful new collection that her loyal fans will truly appreciate – complete with her signature touch of humor, worldly influences and flair for fantasy. As Hoffman explains, “I wanted to embrace what we do best with this collection and give our girls what they love most- color, prints and wearable yet unique silhouettes.”

For this season, Hoffman brought us along on a journey with a traveling circus of “Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves.” This caravan of mystics includes all of the interesting characters you might imagine; from the ringleader to the soothsayer and all of the characters and animals that go along with them. This translates into a variety of colorful prints, unique detailing and embellishments.

The Caravan print intertwines elephants with peacocks in a colorful grid; the Phoenix print mixes psychedelic zebra stripes with tiny dots; Leopard can be found in both print form as well as jacquard sweaters and beaded onto a chiffon tunic, complete with tail. A Suzani print is inspired by the traditional tribal textile from Central Asian countries; Hoffman’s version comes in two colorways, Black with turquoise, pink, orange and yellow, or Poppy mixed with yellow, white and green. The Trickster print is featured in a unique quilted bomber, a flirty strapless dress and combo pant as well as a fully embroidered shift dress and embroidered bomber.

The collection also featured intricately detailed embroidered pieces with metal beading, including a poncho, shift dress and pant. Hoffman’s popular signature chunky knits and intarsia sweaters are strongly represented, including pullovers, shawls and cardigans in a variety of styles incorporating the Compass and Rider prints, as well as great sweaters in Jacquard and Leopard prints.

Backstage before the show started Hoffman told WWD, “It’s not my job to be a leader in American sportswear, but rather to be a leader in light.”

The show featured jewelry by Pamela Love, make up by Charlotte Willer for Maybelline, hair by Nick Irwin for Catwalk by TIGI, nails by Honey for Maybelline, shoes by Miista, styling by Richard Ruiz and music by Ben Brunnemer.

Front Row attendees included the following: Nastia Liukin (Gold Medal Olympian), Tara Lipinski (Olympic Ice Skater), Angela Simmons (Run’s House), Helena Mattson (Actress), Taylor Spreitler (Actress, Melissa & Joey), Sophia Amoruso, Bryanboy (America’s Next Top Model), Cory Kennedy (Socialite/DJ), Nicole LaLiberte (Actress), Pamela Love (Jewelry Designer), Chrissie Miller (Designer/Socialite), Caitlin Moe (Violinist), Rumi Neely (Blogger, Fashion Toast), and more.

To view the entire runway show from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2013 visit Fashion TV