Chilean-born, New York-based designer Maria Cornejo first became known for her work with the ground-breaking design partnership Richmond Cornejo. Having also worked as a creative consultant for major retailers including Joseph, Tehen, and Jigsaw, she established her signature Maria Cornejo collection in 1997.

Cornejo's easily wearable but adventurous designs for men and women have afforded her an international following of fashion-forward editors and clients, notably Tilda Swinton, Cindy Sherman, and Michelle Obama. She was awarded the Smithsonian Cooper Hewitt National Design Award for Fashion in 2006.