Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Pinto.
Maria, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I began designing scarves and wraps when I graduated from the School of the Art Institute in fashion design in 1991. By chance, this was when the Pashmina craze hit, and American women embraced the idea of wraps in a big way. I moved into designing eveningwear—beautiful pieces with elaborate beading, hand-embellished feathers, and unusual materials. In 2004 I added suits, dresses, and jackets for day in luxurious fabrics like alpaca and gorgeous leathers and wools. I am a total fabric junkie!
In 2013, I launched M2057 by Maria Pinto, a ready-to-wear label, on Kickstarter. It was a very interesting way to launch a fashion company—EVERYONE told me it couldn’t be done, but that tends to stoke a fire in me, and we raised $270,000 to start the company. Women’s lives are just different than they were when I was designing for the luxury market—more fast-paced, less forgiving. So I wanted to create clothing that has a modern, minimalist vibe, but is also functional and comfortable. M2057 takes all the elements of Maria Pinto—design integrity, fit, construction, and exquisite fabric—but brings it to a more accessible level.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Anyone who works in fashion knows that it is rarely smooth! I have had incredibly high highs, like dressing First Lady Michelle Obama for the 2008 election, or curating an exhibit for Chicago’s Field Museum and having an outfit of mine placed in their permanent collection. But you have to roll with the lows as well as the highs, and in 2010 I decided to close my luxury collection during the recession. I try to look at these types of things as challenges to overcome rather than struggles, though—every positive and negative teaches you something, and takes you further along your path. I absolutely love what I’m doing today, but I wouldn’t be here, I wouldn’t know the things I know, if I hadn’t had my past experiences.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about M2057 by Maria Pinto – what should we know?
I am Creative Director and Founder of M2057 by Maria Pinto, a women’s ready-to-wear label. The collection’s identity is modern minimalism with an architectural edge. The M2057 woman is powerful and confident, and she wants clothing that doesn’t sacrifice style for comfort and function—and vice-versa. M2057 marries quality, versatility, and comfort: we use luxe Italian fabrics that are machine washable, wrinkle resistant, excellent for travel, and fit impeccably. I often refer to these pieces as blank canvases—they create strong statements but give the wearer an opportunity to let her own style shine through.
I’m incredibly proud of the response we’ve gotten to the collection—I hear so many women say that when they go into their closets in the morning, they automatically reach for their M2057 pieces, because they are so easy to wear, and make them feel confident, beautiful, and ready to tackle the day. A client of mine once said that wearing my clothes makes her look and feel like the best version of herself—there really is no better compliment than that, and that’s what I try to do for anyone who wears my clothes.
Pricing:
- Dresses + skirts range from $275-$600
- Coats + jackets range from $275-$700
- Tops range from $130-$450
- Pants range from $200-$450
Contact Info:
- Address: M2057 by Maria Pinto Style Studio
833 W Washington Blvd
Chicago, IL 60607 - Website: m2057.com
- Phone: 888.868.2057
- Email: customercare@m2057.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themariapinto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MariaPinto.M2057/#
Image Credit:
Clothing photos by Yuya Ohashi
Photo of Maria Pinto + Sandro Miller by Seansup Photo
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