Since founding her label Zero + Maria Cornejo out of a Nolita storefront in 1998, 50-year-old Chilean-born designer Maria Cornejo has won hearts over with her sophisticated, sculptural, functional creations, which incorporate a little bit of edge. You can get an idea about what her clothes say from the women who wear them – Cindy Sherman, Sofia Coppola, and Michelle Obama are among her many admirers. Since the beginning, fashion editors like W’s Stefano Tonchi and Harper’s Bazaar’s Mary Alice Stephenson have been championing work.

This Thursday, Cornejo and her label take to the world of performance art as one of the sponsors of Performa’s elaborate 2012 gala, Relâche – The Party. Expect to see a few of the soirée’s guests wearing her intricate designs. For this edition of the Tastemaker, Cornejo tells ARTINFO about her anti-aging weapon, why she loves Shelter Island, and her current clutch of choice.

Click on the slideshow to see Maria Cornejo’s Tastemaker picks.

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