A conversation with Mara Hoffman and Amy Smilovic. Mara Hoffman is an Artist, and the Founder of Mara Hoffman, her independent, namesake label that she led as President and Creative Director for 24 years. As a prominent leader for sustainability in the luxury fashion industry, Mara decided to close her doors in the Spring of 2024, ultimately realizing that the best path forward in her environmental advocacy would be through a different lens. This episode is a journey through Mara’s career and a no-frills discussion, from Amy and Mara’s 50 years of combined experience, about the many foundational and deeply rooted issues that independent designers confront in pursuit of building a business based on principles and values that extend beyond just revenue and profit. This episode was shot and produced live at 666 Studios.