The Mara Hoffman Spring/Summer 2016 Collection opened with a sky and clouds print button up and suit with a matching headband, blending in with the blue sky backdrop and wheat field.  The print was followed up in the next design of a floor-length maxi, proceeded by a white blue and green ombre bird print, and denim jacket with the same print screenprinted on it.  A rainbow print dress, shirt and pants, black and white horizontal striped jacket and matching pants, green and blue print spaghetti strap dress, and similar print jumpsuit which had a plunging neck line were sent down the catwalk. Yet again, we saw cut-away-shoulders; floral prints in bold fuchsia, orange, and blue with green leaves; and similar silhouettes as we have in other designers’ collections.  We definitely saw the 70s hippy BoHo influence in this collection.  There was a black and white striped off the shoulder maxi dress which was cinched at the natural waist with an elasticized waistband.

Sage green jumpsuits, a white wheat print sleeveless maxi dress with a deep plunging v-neck and racer back, off the shoulder sage green maxi dress, sage green cut-away-shoulder button-up paired with white overall-esque pant, overalls, sheer layers, ruffles,  and cut-outs were among the stand-out looks.  This collection wasn’t really my cup of tea: I felt as if the headbands gave it a much more casual look and distracted from any looks that were more elevated.  This was a literal interpretation of the 70s, and while there were some chic looks, it did have too much of a hippie feel for me. With halter top and plunging necklines, flared legs,  an overall loose-fitting silhouette, soft pinks, sky blues, pastel striped jumpsuits, frill or paper-bag waists, it was a diverse collection.  My biggest complaint would be that the bold floral prints looked like a granny quilt and sheet set.