Atlas of Fashion Designers

433

María Cornejo

María Cornejo

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If you ask María Cornejo about her new collection, she is likely to use words such as “or-

ganic,” “inspired by nature,” and “simple” to describe it, but one could also say that her

work is sophisticated, geometric, and utterly urban.  is apparent contradiction embodies

the essence of her work: a fi eld of forces fueled by the tension between opposites—dark

and bright, masculine and feminine, organic and urban. A play of light and shade between

which this designer moves with great mastery.

Born in Chile, María moved to England with her family as a young girl. She attended the

Ravensbourne School of Art in London, graduating in 1984. Her precocious career took

off at once. Before graduating, she was already designing for Fiorucci and the British fi rm

Label.  en she was active in London, Paris, Milan and Tokyo, cofounding the innovative

label Richmond Cornejo. Later, she created María Cornejo and worked as the creative

advisor for large stores such as Joseph, Tehen and Jigsaw.

In 1996, María and her family moved to New York, where, driven by the deep desire to

recover 100 percent control of her work, she transformed an empty space in Nolita. Her

artistic evolution has been a process, a work running parallel to her evolution as a person

that seems to be pervaded with the emotion she feels from the encounter with nature in the

work of her photographer husband Mark Borthwick.

 is artistic sagacity led her to be a fi nalist in 2005 and the winner in 2006 of the Cooper-

Hewitt National Design Award, much deserved recognition for an artist who shuns the

obvious and reveals what is subtle as a sign of identity.

Photography courtesy of Zero + María Cornejo

434

María Cornejo

Photography by Monica Feudi

Based on simple forms, María

Cornejo’s Fall/Winter 2007–2008

collection has a notable organic

component as well as sensual cuts

reminiscent of elements from the

animal and plant worlds such as

chrysalises, leaves and mushrooms.

435

María Cornejo

Photography by Monica Feudi

436

María Cornejo

- What inspires you?

I usually get inspiration from very abstract things and when I am not really looking for it—when it is least expected

—like when I touch fabrics and an image instantly pops into my head.

- What is your dream as a designer?

To keep learning, to continue to be inspired and stimulated and never be bored.

- What has been the most important achievement of your career?

I was extremely honored when I was awarded the Cooper-Hewitt Design Award in 2006. To be recognized for innova-

tion by my peers in other fi elds such as design, architecture, product development and landscape was incredible.

- How important are trends?

I’m not interested in trends. I believe you have to decide what suits you, regardless of fashion and trends (B-Guided and

The Independent).

- Fashion has always refl ected a certain era. What does fashion refl ect in the twenty-fi rst century?

Sportswear and casual wear have marked the fashion of the twenty-fi rst century.

- What book would you recommend to every fashion designer?

I used to love fl ipping through this book of indigenous costumes back when I was a design student.

María Cornejo

33 Bleecker Street

New York, NY 10012

United States

www.zeromariacornejo.com

437

María Cornejo

Photographies and sketches courtesy of Zero María Cornejo