The wonder of Maria Cornejo’s most impressive clothes lies in the grace with which she balances the eccentric with the classic — sometimes in a single look. Her fall collection for Zero + Maria Cornejo included black blanket-type wool coats and ponchos with red or white bands teamed with long, lean skirts, jumpsuits or pants, from knee-hugging capris to ankle-grazing culottes and some perfectly cut trousers. She also showed jumpsuits under a stretch-leather shrug, as well as leather trousers with a shearling waistcoat and cashmere turtleneck.
Cornejo has a way of mixing fabrics in all of her silhouettes, from short draped skirts to snug leather tops. And, of course, there are her great crepe dresses (mostly red for fall), with crisscross or draped necklines. These skim the body before narrowing at the hemline — at the knee, above the ankle or wherever the proportions take Cornejo each season. She has a big cult following and she knows how to keep them coming back for more.