Designer Mara Hoffman constantly finds inspiration from nature, mythology, and fantasy when creating her Ready-to-Wear and Swimwear collections, as well as many of the rich indigenous folk art histories found around the world. Part dream sequence and part anthropology, Hoffman’s voice is at once playful, adventurous, and daring.

For her upcoming Resort 2013 Swimwear collection, think “Desert Outlaw Gypsies,” as Hoffman explains. The collection features an array of colorful custom-designed prints, including Electric Casino (Stone or Blue), Frida (Coral or Violet), Psychic Readings (Navy or Black), Nomad & Nomad Voile, Feather (Turquoise or Pink), Pow Wow (Red or White) and a new Snake print. The collection also features a wide range of solid colors, including Sky Blue, Coral, Flame Red, Poppy, Violet, Navy, Sand, Magenta and Black.

Braiding, lattice detailing, seed beading, and multiple straps are seen throughout the collection. A group called Electric Casino features intricately beaded U-shaped necklines on swimsuits, a beaded maxi dress, a chiffon dashiki and a cropped top, all draw inspiration from Aztec and Egyptian art. A new Beaded Fringe group is also featured in the collection, shown on a gauze maxi dress, a one-piece and a bikini top in solid Magenta, White or Black.

Multiple new swimwear shapes have been added to the line for this season, including a new halter bandeau, a one-piece with cut-out lattice sides, a one-piece with cut-out sides, bandeau tops with braided edges and back straps, a strapless one-piece with braided back straps, as well as a halter top with basket weave detailing on the back.  Signature best-selling shapes are continued in the collection, including the V-wire and tie-side styles.

Photo Gallery after the jump.

Expanding her selection of cover-ups and day-to-night must-haves, the new collection features Hoffman’s popular printed drawstring modal poncho dresses, as well as pleated draped chiffon dresses, a hooded poncho, button-down tunics, easy mini dresses with lattice sleeves, a sexy lace-up back mini dress, a smocked romper, a jumper and a great slouch pant in the Snake print. Several styles of maxi dresses feature details such as braided straps and beaded necklines. Hoffman has continued adding more of her popular printed accessories and beach bags to the collection, including a printed vinyl tote in the Pow Wow print, an embroidered scarf bag with Nomad print, an amazing Fringe bag and printed canvas totes as well as oversize, soft sarongs in the Pow Wow and Nomad prints.

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All models in the show wore “Billy Short” boots by The Frye Company, a Western style boot made for easy wearing. Being both a traditional and fashion-inspired shape, its stonewash leather and distressed finish perfects the “worn in but not worn out” look synonymous with Frye, and is also significant to the “Desert Outlaw Gypsies” theme of the show. 

Beauty partners included; hair by Nick Irwin for Catwalk by TIGI andmake-up by Lottie for Make Up Forever. Hawaiian Tropic® Sun Care, the official sun care sponsor of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2013 Collections, made its fashion debut on the runways this July. Models in Mara Hoffman’s show hit the runway wearing the label’s latest designs and had their skin protected and moisturized by the luxurious Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration™ lotion sunscreen. 

The show also featured jewelry by Pamela Love and all models wore Feather Tattoos on the back of their legs, inspired by Mara Hoffman’s own signature tattoo, created for the show by Cindy Dalagelis.

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