More Zero + Maria Cornejo for Mrs. O

Mrs. O's Saturday ensemble remains somewhat of a mystery. Who designed that incredibly chic black coat? We'd like to know as much as you would. The designer of at least one piece from Saturday has been revealed. Underneath Mrs. O's coat was a refined purple jacket with clean lines reminiscent of a familiar pair of suits. Indeed the jacket is from the same label, Zero + Maria Cornejo, one of the most exciting in Mrs. O's style line-up. "I am thrilled that Michelle Obama is wearing Zero. Like many of the women that purchase the collection, she is a woman of strength, integrity and intellect," Cornejo says. The jacket belongs to a collection of eight suits that Maria Cornejo designed and tailored for Mrs. O, each in a varying jewel tone. This begs the question, might we see more Zero + Maria Corenjo in the next few days?

A New Maria for Mrs. O

Photo credit: (Top) Flickr user Barack Obama / Creative Commons; (Bottom) Flickr user Barb Patch

The much buzzed about WWD designs were not only a delight to study, they also put another Mrs. O designer on our radar. When the accompanying article alluded to Maria Cornejo as one of Mrs. O's "favorite designers", our interest was immediately piqued.

The Chilean-born designer, perhaps best known for her modern, minimalist aesthetic and sophisticated draping, has a boutique on Mott St. in New York that we often pass by and peer into with curiosity on our nightly walk home. Though her label, Zero, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the designer is likely best known to the public for her collaboration with Keds in 2006 (this is how we first became familiar with her at least). Eager to learn more about this pairing, further research uncovered an early November article from Canada's National Post in which Cornejo comments on Mrs. O's high-low approach to fashion:

"One day she wears a designer, then she'll wear Gap," gushes Maria Cornejo, the New York-based designer whose architectural clothing Obama has worn on the campaign trail. "[It's] actually how real people dress."

Not only is Maria Cornejo an exciting and progressive new addition to Mrs. O's designer repertoire, the connection has also helped to answer a nagging question. From Madison, WI, to Philadelphia, PA to The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Mrs. O was often seen wearing two versions of a tailored, three-quarter length sleeve jacket this fall. A signature Mrs. O look in the final months on the campaign trail, the designer was unknown to us until now: Maria Cornejo.

The black jacket in evening raffia hails from the Spring/Summer 2009 Zero collection, while the blue jacket in textured wool (also worn with a matching skirt for the Daily Show appearance) is from the Fall/Winter 2008 collection. Often paired with perfectly coordinated patent leather belts, we were surprised to learn these accessories weren't the work of the designer as well (but that would be too easy!). From these pieces, it's clear that Maria Cornejo is as much a master at tailoring as she is draping, and well-deserving of her new and covetous position on Mrs. O's fashion roster. Though to date "Maria" has meant only one thing to us in the realm of Mrs. O's style, we'll gladly make room for another.  

Photos used with kind permission from Zero + Maria Cornejo / Photographer Monica Feudi