"Aloha from New York" was Mara Hoffman s message today. Interpreting the idea quite literally, the designer commissioned a ukulele band and topped each model s look with a palm headpiece to drive home the collection s theme. Chiffon maxi gowns were embellished with bright, color-blocked cording details, and a canvas safari jacket featured fun motifs like toucans and pineapples created with seed beads. Kitschy? Sure. But Hoffman s enthusiastic clientele will ultimately take away the languid Polynesian-print cutout dresses, on-trend board shorts, and best-selling bikinis. Backstage before the show, Hoffman told Style.com, "I realized everyone isn t necessarily looking to wear Alex Wang, so I decided to stay true to myself and bring my energy, pure and clean."
