By Maria Esteves – February 28, 2013

MARA HOFFMAN (MH) is an American fashion designer in the women's ready-to-wear and swimwear category who lives in New York. Hoffman studied at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London and is a graduate from Parsons School of Design. Inspired by nature and print style design, Hoffman launched her collection ready to wear in 2000 and swimwear in 2008. Today, Mara Hoffman's collection is available at top retailers worldwide, shown on runways and recognized by celebrities such as Drew Barrymore, Kate Hudson, Nicole Richie, and many others.

Despite Winter Storm Nemo that hit the Tristate area early Friday, February 8, I had the privilege of interviewing fashion designer Mara Hoffman backstage at the tents in Lincoln Center during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York Fall/Winter 2013 Collections on Saturday, February 9, 12:45pm.

ME: What inspired your Fall/Winter 2013 Collection?

MH: Our collection was considerably inspired by the idea of mystics and misfits, a caravan world travelling through time, place and space.

ME: What was your greatest challenge with this collection?

MH: Our greatest challenge for this season was achieving enough of a fall and winter look. Making sure we can get enough texture and cold weather appropriate clothes.

ME: In film and fashion, has film influenced your design or have your fashion influenced film?

MH: I definitely find inspiration from film, a little from Brazil (1985) in our collection and I like to think that I have influenced other creative and cultural outlets.

ME: Thank you, Mara.

For more information about Hoffman’s collection, please visit: http://www.marahoffman.com/collections