10 Designers on the Rise

Zero + Maria Cornejo

Modeled by art director Shamim Momin

In the beginning: Chilean-born Cornejo was half of the edgy '80s design team Richmond Cornejo. She opened her first Zero boutique in New York in 1998. Known for: Architectural, minimalist clothes that flatter all body types. Tidbit: Cornejo named the company Zero because it "represents a point of departure.... A woman shouldn't be a sandwich board for the designer." The next... Yohji Yamamoto. Famous fans: Michelle Obama, Cameron Diaz, Sofia Coppola.

Dress, $710.

Read our interview with art director Shamim Momim