1. Mara Hoffman Closes Sustainability-Focused Brand After 24 Years
Designer Mara Hoffman has announced that she will be closing her brand after 24 years, bringing an abrupt end to one of New York’s most prominent sustainability-focused fashion labels. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Hoffman described the decision as one of the hardest and most important she has ever made. She highlighted the ongoing challenges of operating a fashion brand under a more responsible model, aimed at environmental and social sustainability. Hoffman has been a pioneer in sustainable fashion, making bold moves to overhaul her label in 2014. She shifted away from polyester to use organic and recycled materials and restructured her supply chain to prioritize fair working conditions. Her efforts were recognized last year when she received the CFDA’s Award for Environmental Sustainability, acknowledging her decade-long commitment to the cause. Despite these achievements, the financial and operational pressures proved too great to sustain the brand. Hoffman’s Spring 2024 collection will be the label’s last, marking the end of an era for the independent designer. In her post, she expressed hope for the future, believing that positive change is possible with the continued efforts of those working towards new systems, technology, and legislation. As she redirects her participation in the industry, Hoffman remains optimistic about the potential for progress in sustainable fashion.
2. Fashion Workers Act Progresses Toward Approval in New York
The Fashion Workers Act is making significant progress towards becoming law in New York. After passing the state Senate for the second consecutive year with a 45-17 vote, the bill will now go to the labor committee for a vote, marking a crucial step forward. The Act aims to provide models, who typically work on freelance contracts, with workplace protections and regulate management companies to ensure accountability in payment, health, safety, and protection from discrimination and harassment. Despite previous delays, including a budget holdup last year, advocates like Sara Ziff, founder of The Model Alliance, remain optimistic about its passage this session, which ends on June 6. The Model Alliance, which co-sponsors the bill, has garnered substantial support, including from industry groups like SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America East. With a growing coalition behind the initiative, Ziff emphasizes the urgency of passing the bill, especially in light of ongoing issues such as harassment and the rise of AI. The Act represents a culmination of years of advocacy to secure basic rights and protections for fashion workers, and Ziff is calling on the assembly and Governor Kathy Hochul to ensure it becomes law.
