Mara Hoffman Started Off Unlike Any Other NYFW Show Ever

We have to applaud fashion designers who use their platform to speak out about our country’s current political climate: Prabal Gurung’s clothing had such a strong, feminist statement (and impression), that it made Bella Hadid cry; and the CFDA is doing its part with the Fashion Stands With Planned Parenthood initiative. Now Mara Hoffman chose to kick off her fashion show by magnifying the voices behind the Women’s March on Washington.

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Today was an amazing day...We showed our Fall 2017 collection and got to shine our light on the women that are doing the WORK and creating change in such impactful ways. This show was a true dedication to that work and the women who make this country and planet so amazing. THANK YOU to the co-founders of the @womensmarch for lending your strength and unbelievable voices to this vision today. I am humbled and honored to have had you set the intention for this work and speak with such grace. The show is on our site now and I hope everyone can watch it! So much love and many more pics to come.... ❤

A post shared by Mara Hoffman 🐪 (@marahoffman) on Feb 13, 2017 at 9:16pm PST

Before Mara’s collection debuted, Women’s March co-chairs civil rights activists Linda Sarsour, Tamika Mallory, Brooklyn designer Bob Bland, and singer/activist Carmen Perez gave a joint speech about the importance of empowering marginalized women.

Founders of the #womensmarch at @marahoffman // via @NikkiOgun pic.twitter.com/RkKOoRKq50

— Kristina Rodulfo (@kristinarodulfo) February 13, 2017

Dressed in all black, the women read the words of activists like Angela Davis, Audre Lorde, and Maya Angelou, in addition to the Women’s March’s mission statement.

The Women’s March co-chairs explained in a joint statement to Refinery29 that they felt compelled to participate in Hoffman’s presentation. “So many of our communities are being stripped away from basic human rights, that we must all come together and use our platforms to stand together,” they said. “We commend Mara and other designers who have made a public stance on today’s political climate. The days of just sitting back and hoping for change are no longer an option.”

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@hellobethgill 's choreography for @heatherblee 🙌🏽 #marahoffmanfw17 full show on site.

A post shared by Mara Hoffman 🐪 (@marahoffman) on Feb 14, 2017 at 7:44pm PST

The show was a feminism-inspired dance featuring models wearing Mara’s new collection as Maya Angelou’s Phenomenal Woman was read in the background over percussion. “This is the chance to show that there can be a cross section of fashion, politics, and activism in the name of social justice and women’s empowerment,” Mara said in a statement. “These are necessary things for all people.”

What do you think of Mara’s show? Tweet us @BritandCo!

(h/t Huffington Post; photos via Michael Stewart/Getty)