Interview: Mara Hoffman X Label M. Partnership

"America the Beautiful" is one of the many star points of Mara Hoffman’s Spring/Summer 16 collection. Mara Hoffman themed the show around All-American country singer, Willie Nelson, whom Hoffman adores. It was an ode to Nelson's particular take on America, from his signature waist-length braids to his bold bandana headband and the occasional cowboy hat. Models sauntered the runway in those trademark pigtails and bandanas to the hit Ella Fitzgerald-cum-Nelson song, Blue Skies. Four other songs followed and suddenly Nelson had stolen the Hoffman show. A typical light-hearted Hoffman backdrop of an angelic blue sky with summer-thick white clouds hovering above tall dry cornstalks completed the wholesome American look. The use of Levis, another "All-American" brand, was embroidered with cornstalks and unique shirting silhouettes. One sure thing that could not go unnoticed was the diversity in Hoffman’s model selection, which reflected America’s rich blend of culture: one body, one bond, one love blended together in perfect harmony.

Hoffman held to this mantra throughout the styling and silhouettes of her collection, her sky prints and use of whites worked well with her overall theme. This season's collection had a tomboy flare: slouchy overalls,

boxy suits with bolo ties, and button-down shirts with popped collars exuded a masculine touch that worked seamlessly with the theme. In a sense, Hoffman portrayed a message that America is all for one and one for all despite our differences in race and gender that is what makes affluent America the nation of many cultures that it is today.

We were able to catch up with Celebrity Hair Stylist and Lead stylist for Label M., the official hair sponsor of Mara Hoffman's SS/16 show, Richard Mannah. Here is what he had to say about their partnership and Label M. breaking into the U.S. Market.

Raine: What do you think sets Label M. apart from other Hair products?

Richard Mannah: It’s a product line created by professionals, not by [scientific] experts. It’s the hair dresser that is testing and trying it, not some scientists in a lab.

R: How did Label M. Distinguish itself amongst the Fashion Elite?

RM: We’re the official sponsors of London fashion week. Our global creative director Sacha Mascolo-Tarbuck is on the British fashion council, so we have been sponsoring fashion week in London for 10 years. We do over 80 shows each year, 40 shows each season. Fashion is key to us, because hair dressing can go in one direction and fashion can go another direction, so we always want to be on the forefront of what’s happening in Fashion, because we want to be able to educate the client, not the client educate us.

R: How did label M. and Mara Hoffman happen?

RM: Well they were looking for a sponsor and we wanted to get a lot more involved with New York Fashion Week. It was just a perfect partnership. This is our first season with her and so far, so good!

ABOUT THE LOOK

Staying true to Mara's interpretation of classic Americana, inspired by the great Willie Nelson, Session Stylist Nick Irwin worked together with label.m International Artistic Director, Richard Mannah to re-create the iconic double braided style with a clean, but natural twist, reminiscent of the psychedelic era of the 1970’s.

The key products used to create the look were label.m Volume Mousse to prep the hair from roots to ends, section by section. Once smooth-dried, a clean, precise part was down the middle then stitched in 30 inch real hair peices by Janet Collection, NY. The label.m Wax Stick was then used to help create a clean, but natural-looking waist length braids down each side. Each model graced with a classic bandana to compliment each look and bring a uniqueness to the uniformity of the iconic style.

Follow Label M: @labelmusa, Richard Mannah: @RichardmannahNYC, NickIrwin: @mrnickirwin, Mara Hoffman: @MaraHoffman

Photos Credits:   Vogue.com, Label M. USA, Getty Images, & Mara Hoffman