Mara Hoffman shows off rainbow gang of warriors

NEW YORK (AP) — Mara Hoffman has some hashtags for us: Fearless. Rainbow. Vibes.

As in good vibes. As in good vibes inspired by color, light and happiness playing out in her bold spring collection previewed Saturday at New York Fashion Week.

Hoffman said in a backstage interview that the collection is fit for a gang of rainbow warriors. As in warriors with extra-long braids down their backs, some dressed in sheer beaded chiffon in neon orange, yellow and green. Others went into runway battle in bright tribal prints for mid-leg looks, shorts and swimsuits.

And there was tie dye, natch. In slouchy pants and a spandex maillot.

And there was the sunrise. In a lilac jumpsuit.

"I'm trying to stay focused this season on making people feel happy and good, and the rainbow represents that for me," Hoffman explained. "And diversity, diversity in color, diversity in print, diversity in the girls I cast for the show."

As in a designer who casts black and Asian models.

"The Sudanese girls are my muses. They rule my world. Those are my girls and that illustrates what I do as a brand," Hoffman added. "I'm being a little bolder this season, as fortune favors the bold."

___

Follow Leanne Italie on Twitter at http://twitter.com/litalie