A Zero Degree of Style

I first fell in love with Zero + Maria Cornejo years ago, when I was a too cool for school twenty-something, bumming around downtown New York. After moving to Los Angeles, I would think every now and then of the Zero boutique and sigh. I always made sure to visit the boutique on trips home to stock up Cornejo’s geometric designs crafted with origami-like draping and precision.

Thankfully, the designer has finally decided to open shop here in town. The Los Angeles boutique is Cornejo’s third store. Tucked away on tiny Melrose Place, next to Marc Jacobs and across the street from perfume powerhouse Santa Maria Novella, a charcoal exterior cloaked with ivy and large French doors like those straight out of the left bank welcome guests to the new Zero + Maria Cornejo store.

Cornejo tapped Amale Andraos of WORK Architecture to collaborate on the interior design of the approximately 2,000-square-foot space. Crafted to embody the minimalist aesthetic of Cornejo’s New York locations, the store features a whitewashed loft-style environs with natural elements such as rounded and bent wood partitions and large translucent dividers that separate the men’s and women’s sections. German design firm e15 created modern furniture in luxe woods such as oak and walnut with organic touches. A space to the right of the store is dedicated as an upcoming gallery/installation area.

All together, the tranquil space compliments Cornejo’s wearable avant-garde designs. Personally, I’ve got my eye on Cornejo’s decon dresses as my go-to designs for fall. Thankfully, I no longer have to get on a plane to get my hands on them!

Zero + Maria Cornejo, 8408 Melrose Place, Los Angeles, 323.782.4915.