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https://www.essence.com/fashion/an-ode-to-mara-hoffman/
George Chinsee/Penske Media via Getty Images By Robyn Mowatt ·Updated June 3, 2024
I was in my early 20s when I first began paying attention to Mara Hoffman. Her designs to me felt moving and illusory. The combination of the punchy tones of red she used and how each piece she created left me awe-struck. The tones she utilized in addition to the pieces boldly designed dresses from her collections reminded me of the sheer joy that I felt with clothing as a child. In my eyes, there was no limit to the universe Hoffman had created decades ago upon graduating from Parsons in 1999. Her boundless imagination is perhaps what sticks out to me most amongst a sea of designers creating garments for the sake of monetizing them. Hoffman’s creations always felt much more expansive than this.
Over the years, as I’ve grown from a fashion lover to a consumer, it’s become clear that this designer’s blueprint was different from many others. All of these notions came to a halt when Hoffman announced she’d be shuttering her business. But, it also offered a moment to reflect on her worthiness.
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 06: A model poses at the Mara Hoffman Spring/Summer 2019 presentation during New York Fashion Week on September 6, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
Kimberly Bryant, the Oakland-based founder of The Black Innovation Lab recalls the first time she wore a Mara Hoffman design. She shares it was during an interview feature for TheRealReal which highlighted her as a tech leader. “As a Black woman with a George Chinsee/Penske Media via Getty Images
Bryant also expressed that these notions were evident in Hoffman’s use of vibrant colors and textures which complimented brown skin tones. “Her holistic approach to inclusivity made me feel genuinely acknowledged and valued as a customer,” she added.
Joneé Nunes, a recruiter based in Washington, D.C. also felt seen by the creations that stemmed from Mara Hoffman. “I felt drawn to the fresh designs, and so much joy [was evoked] seeing customers of all sizes feel beautiful,” Nunes said. She also expressed that the brand shuttering is an undeniable loss for the fashion industry. Her first recollection of it was through swimwear, the bold geometric patterns have created a long-lasting memory for her.
“People are living in a time of economic strain, and fast fashion is often a solution for many,” Nunes shares. “Unfortunately, a devastating imbalance of waste is being created that has a global effect.” Nunes adds that brands like Mara Hoffman did what they could to combat this, but, sustainability is not a political priority–she mentions that Hoffman might have been ahead of her time in her eyes.
When reflecting on the space Mara takes up in the global fashion industry, it’s important to reckon with what will be lost too. Her ethical and sustainable standards were pinpointed in 2014. Vogue reports that she restructured her supply chain that year to focus on due diligence, she moved away from focusing on polyester, and she invested in her workers. Ensuring her garments were earning Fair Trade certifications was also important to Hoffman. With her direct-to-consumer business issues ensued.
“There are not many companies that have successfully done this for as long of a period as we have. And the reality is that the demands that are on a small company financially make it almost impossible to be privately held and run after a certain point,” Hoffman tells Vogue.
New York-based politics and culture writer Ashley Reese was initially drawn to Hoffman’s designs due to the colorful pieces and fun fabrics, sizing was secondary to her. “So many of my Black girlfriends and me were Mara stans,” she shares in an email. “I know she had the loyalty of the plus size fashion girlies, but she had my crew of Black women in a chokehold too.”
Courtesy of Ashley Reese
Reese received a one-on-one styling session with Mara in 2022, which is a fond memory of hers. She recalls trying on a bunch of pieces with Hoffman who was excited to see her in countless items. “I’m not some skinny mini–I’m tall and I’m not exactly slender. Mara saw me as a canvas ready to wear her garments, and I felt like she wanted me there. It was nice to be around a designer who seemed to embrace the versatility of the female form,” Reese adds.
Ashley ended up purchasing a midi-length skirt in the now-beloved “popcorn”rel=”tag”>luxury designer
The post An Ode To Mara Hoffman From Her Black Customers appeared first on Essence.
George Chinsee/Penske Media via Getty Images By Robyn Mowatt ·Updated June 3, 2024
I was in my early 20s when I first began paying attention to Mara Hoffman. Her designs to me felt moving and illusory. The combination of the punchy tones of red she used and how each piece she created left me awe-struck. The tones she utilized in addition to the pieces boldly designed dresses from her collections reminded me of the sheer joy that I felt with clothing as a child. In my eyes, there was no limit to the universe Hoffman had created decades ago upon graduating from Parsons in 1999. Her boundless imagination is perhaps what sticks out to me most amongst a sea of designers creating garments for the sake of monetizing them. Hoffman’s creations always felt much more expansive than this.
Over the years, as I’ve grown from a fashion lover to a consumer, it’s become clear that this designer’s blueprint was different from many others. All of these notions came to a halt when Hoffman announced she’d be shuttering her business. But, it also offered a moment to reflect on her worthiness.
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 06: A model poses at the Mara Hoffman Spring/Summer 2019 presentation during New York Fashion Week on September 6, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images) Kimberly Bryant, the Oakland-based founder of The Black Innovation Lab recalls the first time she wore a Mara Hoffman design. She shares it was during an interview feature for TheRealReal which highlighted her as a tech leader. “As a Black woman with a George Chinsee/Penske Media via Getty Images
Bryant also expressed that these notions were evident in Hoffman’s use of vibrant colors and textures which complimented brown skin tones. “Her holistic approach to inclusivity made me feel genuinely acknowledged and valued as a customer,” she added.
Joneé Nunes, a recruiter based in Washington, D.C. also felt seen by the creations that stemmed from Mara Hoffman. “I felt drawn to the fresh designs, and so much joy [was evoked] seeing customers of all sizes feel beautiful,” Nunes said. She also expressed that the brand shuttering is an undeniable loss for the fashion industry. Her first recollection of it was through swimwear, the bold geometric patterns have created a long-lasting memory for her.
“People are living in a time of economic strain, and fast fashion is often a solution for many,” Nunes shares. “Unfortunately, a devastating imbalance of waste is being created that has a global effect.” Nunes adds that brands like Mara Hoffman did what they could to combat this, but, sustainability is not a political priority–she mentions that Hoffman might have been ahead of her time in her eyes.
When reflecting on the space Mara takes up in the global fashion industry, it’s important to reckon with what will be lost too. Her ethical and sustainable standards were pinpointed in 2014. Vogue reports that she restructured her supply chain that year to focus on due diligence, she moved away from focusing on polyester, and she invested in her workers. Ensuring her garments were earning Fair Trade certifications was also important to Hoffman. With her direct-to-consumer business issues ensued.
“There are not many companies that have successfully done this for as long of a period as we have. And the reality is that the demands that are on a small company financially make it almost impossible to be privately held and run after a certain point,” Hoffman tells Vogue.
New York-based politics and culture writer Ashley Reese was initially drawn to Hoffman’s designs due to the colorful pieces and fun fabrics, sizing was secondary to her. “So many of my Black girlfriends and me were Mara stans,” she shares in an email. “I know she had the loyalty of the plus size fashion girlies, but she had my crew of Black women in a chokehold too.”
Courtesy of Ashley Reese Reese received a one-on-one styling session with Mara in 2022, which is a fond memory of hers. She recalls trying on a bunch of pieces with Hoffman who was excited to see her in countless items. “I’m not some skinny mini–I’m tall and I’m not exactly slender. Mara saw me as a canvas ready to wear her garments, and I felt like she wanted me there. It was nice to be around a designer who seemed to embrace the versatility of the female form,” Reese adds.
Ashley ended up purchasing a midi-length skirt in the now-beloved “popcorn”rel="tag">luxury designer
The post An Ode To Mara Hoffman From Her Black Customers appeared first on Essence.
STARZ announced today the premiere date for its limited event series Three Women. The intimate, haunting portrayal of female desire based on the instant #1 New York Times bestselling book of the same name from literary sensation Lisa Taddeo will premiere Friday, September 13 at midnight on the STARZ app. On linear, it will debut on STARZ at 10:00 PM ET/PT in the U.S. Newly released imagery showcases each of the women whose stories are explored in this riveting drama.
The series stars Shailene Woodley (Big Little Lies, The Descendants), Betty Gilpin (Gaslit, GLOW), DeWanda Wise (She’s Gotta Have It, Jurassic World: Dominion), Gabrielle Creevy (In My Skin, The Pact), Blair Underwood (In Treatment, Impeachment: American Crime Story, Your Honor), Jason Ralph (The Magicians, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) and John Patrick Amedori (Dear White People, She Won’t Forget).
The titular series finds three women on a crash course to radically overturn their lives. Lina (Gilpin), a homemaker in suburban Indiana, is a decade into a passionless marriage when she embarks on an affair that quickly becomes all-consuming and transforms her life. Sloane (Wise), a glamorous entrepreneur in the Northeast, has a committed open marriage with Richard (Underwood), until two sexy new strangers threaten their aspirational love story. Maggie (Gabrielle Creevy), a student in North Dakota, weathers an intense storm after accusing her married English teacher of an inappropriate relationship. Gia (Woodley), a writer grieving the loss of her family, persuades each of these three spectacular “ordinary” women to tell her their stories, and her relationships with them change the course of her life forever.
Laura Eason (The Loudest Voice, House of Cards) is the series showrunner, and Three Women author Taddeo serves as Creator and Executive Producer. Kathy Ciric and Emmy Rossum also serve as Executive Producers.
Series premieres Sept 13th on Starz.
By Larry Stansbury ·Updated May 31, 2024
It’s normal that our skin will undergo changes that can lead to visible signs of aging. Although there are numerous time reversing skincare products available on the market, it is crucial to find a product that contains an essential ingredient: retinol.
When it comes to our skin, everyone has enzymes, according to Jan Marini, founder & chairman of the Board at Jan Marini Skin Research, Inc. Marini further explains that our skin has receptor sites like alpha, beta, gamma to recognize and connect with a retinoic acid. Retinol, a form of vitamin A, can stimulate tremendous amounts of collagen production that can reduce the appearance of pores and wrinkles. “The right retinol product can also be a gold standard for managing acne, discoloration and even rosacea.”
Below, exports share everything you need to know about retinol as well as the best ones to try.
What is retinol?“Retinol is an over-the-counter form of vitamin A that is used for its anti-aging and skin-renewing benefits,” Dr. Jeannette Graf, Board-Certified Dermatologist with IMAGE Skincare, tells ESSENCE. “Retinol is also considered a natural form of vitamin A and it is the most abundant form of vitamin A found in the skin.”
The benefits of Retinol“It plays a key role in helping regenerate cells, stimulating collagen production, and overall improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” Graf says. “The result is improved skin tone and texture. Retinol can also help with treating acne.” Additionally, “when you apply retinol, it interacts with the enzyme and is converted into retinoic acid or tretinoin, which is the active ingredient in many prescription retinoids,” Marini explains.
Does retinol work for all skin types?Retinol can help elevate your skin in a matter of weeks if you’re consistent. Dr. Graf recommends using a moisturizer after applying retinol twice a day to prevent dryness and sensitivity. She also suggests for patients with sensitive skin to use it a few times a week and build up if your skin can tolerate retinol. “I would suggest starting with less frequent application weekly and lower concentrations,” Graf says. “Slowly build up to daily use and slowly increase concentration as the skin is able to tolerate it a few times a week rather than every day.”
Can everyone use retinol?Surprisingly, yes anyone can use retinol for their face and body. However, for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding their children should try not to use retinol. “Pregnant or breastfeeding women are generally advised to avoid retinol,” Dr. Graf says. “If you have a reaction using retinol such as inflamed skin or itching, stop using the product immediately and consult with a dermatologist.”
Which products should I use?01 01 Naturium Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion
This lotion is fragrance-free and works for all skin types. It contains allantoin, shea butter, and sodium PCA which leave your skin feeling nourished, soft and can help minimize redness and irritation. Available at naturium.com 40Shop Now 02 02 Charlotte Tilbury Re href="https://www.sephora.com/product/charlotte-s-magic-night-cream-P433519" target="_blank"> 
This cream is suitable for dry and combination skin. It contains winter daphne stem cell extract and a blend of red-algae marigel, and castor seed to moisturize and soften your skin. Available at sephora.com 145Shop Now 03 03 La Roche-Posay Pure Retinol Face Serum 
This dermatologist-tested serum contains niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to protect your skin from sun damage. Available at amazon.com 35Shop Now 04 04 Nécessaire The Body Retinol 
A body serum with retinol, AHA, vitamins, peptides, and glycerin that enhances your skin’s natural glow while you sleep. Available at necessaire.com 55Shop Now 05 05 The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane 
This retinol treatment is suitable for all skin types and can help boost collagen production. Available at amazon.com 10Shop Now TOPICS: bodycare retinol skincareThe post Everything To Know About Retinol, According To Experts appeared first on Essence.