Mara Novembre transformed a personal need for beautiful, functional turbans into Allure Novembre—a luxury resortwear brand celebrating heritage, empowerment, and effortless elegance. From selling handmade pieces out of her college dorm to showcasing collections internationally, her journey is a testament to intentional design and storytelling. In this conversation, Mara shares how her Haitian-American roots, commitment to sustainability, and passion for creating “timeless moments in motion” continue to shape the brand’s mission and inspire women worldwide.
Your brand started in a college dorm room with handmade turbans and has grown into a celebrated luxury resort-wear label. Looking back, what has been the most pivotal moment in your journey from those early days to the international stage?
The most pivotal moment for me was realizing that Allure Novembre was more than just fashion—it was community, confidence, and culture wrapped into one. In the beginning, I was simply creating turbans to solve a personal need: to feel beautiful on days when my hair wasn’t done. But when I started getting constant requests from women who wanted to feel that same ease and elegance, I knew I had tapped into something bigger.
Years later, launching our first full collection in Haiti, my birthplace, was a defining moment. It sold out immediately and reinforced my mission: to create luxury pieces that empower women to own their beauty and their story—wherever they are in the world.
Allure Novembre is known for weaving heritage and empowerment into every collection. How does your Haitian-American background continue to inspire your designs today?
Haiti is in my DNA—it’s in the boldness of my silhouettes, the richness of my color stories, and the unapologetic elegance I design for. Growing up Haitian-American taught me the art of duality: honoring tradition while breaking boundaries. That shows up in every piece I create. I’m always thinking about how to merge island sophistication with modern luxury, how to tell stories of resilience through fabric, and how to remind women—especially women of color—that they deserve to be the main character in the most beautiful settings.
You’ve mentioned that Allure Novembre is about creating ‘timeless moments in motion.’ When women wear your pieces on vacation or at an event, what feeling do you most hope to evoke in them?
I want them to feel unstoppable. I design for the woman who knows that life is meant to be lived boldly, whether she’s stepping onto a yacht, walking into a rooftop event, or sipping cocktails on the Amalfi Coast. My goal is for each piece to become part of her memory—the dress she wore when she felt her most beautiful, the swimsuit that turned heads without her trying. It’s about capturing that fleeting feeling of “this is my moment” and making it last.
What do you personally love most about the Hamptons, and how does it inspire your creative vision?
The Hamptons has this effortless luxury to it—where simplicity meets refinement. It’s the kind of place where you can be barefoot on the sand one minute and dressed for a gallery opening the next. That balance of ease and elegance inspires the way I design. I love creating pieces that transition with you—from beachside brunches to sunset dinners—without compromising style.
With the upcoming Art and Soul Hamptons event on the horizon, what are you most excited to share with guests, and how do you hope your work resonates with the Hamptons community?
I’m excited to share not just the pieces but the stories behind them. Allure Novembre is about intentional luxury—clothing that celebrates culture, travel, and self-expression. At Art and Soul, I’m looking forward to connecting with women who value fashion with meaning. The Hamptons community understands the art of living well, and I hope Allure Novembre feels like an extension of that: wearable pieces of art that elevate life’s moments.
Sustainability is clearly a core value for Allure Novembre. Can you share more about how you balance luxury and ethical production, especially in an industry that moves so quickly?
We believe true luxury is intentional—not rushed. At Allure Novembre, we follow a slow fashion approach: limited releases, thoughtful sourcing, and mindful production. Each piece is made in small batches to reduce waste and ensure quality. We work closely with artisans and manufacturers who share our values, from the fabrics we choose to the packaging we use. It’s not about keeping up with trends; it’s about creating pieces that last season after season, vacation after vacation.
Your GoldRush collection has become a signature. What inspired this collection, and why do you think it resonates so powerfully with women around the world?
GoldRush was born out of a desire to make women feel like the sun is shining on them—no matter where they are. Gold symbolizes wealth, confidence, and celebration, and I wanted to translate that into swimwear and resortwear that makes a statement. Women around the world gravitated toward it because it’s more than just a color—it’s a mood. When you wear gold, you don’t shrink. You glow. GoldRush is about standing out, not blending in—and I think that energy is universal.
Looking ahead, what’s next for Allure Novembre? Are there any new collections, collaborations, or destinations you’re particularly excited about?
We’re in an exciting season of growth. Allure Novembre is currently expanding into the retail space with the goal of being carried in stores like Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, and select luxury boutiques—including right here in the Hamptons. We want women to experience the brand both online and in person, where they can feel the textures, try on the pieces, and become part of the Allure community firsthand.
We’re also preparing to launch our winter capsule collection this November, which will offer a new take on luxury resortwear for cooler destinations—think après-ski elegance meets island escape. And on the collaboration front, we’re looking forward to partnering with more fashion influencers and global tastemakers to continue widening our reach and inspiring women to live boldly in every season.