M2057 by Maria Pinto Spring 2017 is a Must-Have in Your Closet

The last time I visited with the fabulous Maria Pinto at her West Loop studio was for the release of the  Fall and Pre-Fall 2016 collections of her contemporary brand M2057. I thought I was smitten with her designs then, but after viewing her newly released Spring 2017 line I have a full blown obsession.

Pinto drew inspiration from architecture this time, specifically famed architect Zaha Hadid. The primary print is black and white, with the occasional pop of gorgeous turquoise, yellow and a smokey blue. She also used a series of pin-tucked seams to give garments a three-dimensional; she is also using the same fabric she developed for previous M2057 collections – high tech material that is soft, machine washable and wrinkle resistant.

Before you dive in and get as obsessed with the M2057 by Maria Printo for Spring, hear from the designer herself about favorite pieces, what drew her to architecture and much more!

For SS17 you looked for inspiration from architecture. What specifically drew you to Zaha Hadid?

Zaha was known as “the Queen of the Curve,” and her work seems to grow out of the landscape, showing a fluidity and connection to the earth. She inspired me to explore how a garment moves over and around the body.  I used pin tucked seams in pieces like the Vanda shrug and the Bibi dress to flow from the shoulders across the body, creating a skeletal structure that also has beautiful movement and layers.

Talk about the color palette. You chose overall neutral colors but the pops of blue and yellow are very refreshing. 

I am obsessed with color, so the palette every season is a critical piece of the collection. I always like to find a balance of neutral shades (that aren’t black!) and brighter color pops. For spring, “Smoke,” a lovely, dusky brown, and “Fatigue,” an olive green, are both very wearable, and they are the perfect bases to play up brighter colors like Turquoise and Sun, a cheerful yellow. I think Rain, a light, smoky blue, will be a very popular color—it looks brilliant on so many skin types, and is quite modern and elegant, especially paired with Fatigue.

I am obsessed with the electric sweatshirt dress!! It is wonderfully styled with the army green skirt as well. Is this your version of athleisure? 

I love that piece, too! It is called the Raha, and the inspiration was an oversized sweatshirt worn as a tunic. It has a slouchy chicness that I think resonates right now. I don’t know if I was specifically thinking athleisure when I designed it, but I always try to offer pieces that have an effortless, throw-it-on-and-look-fab vibe. The Vega parka, which we introduced for Resort, also has this more casual, athletic feel, but is still super sharp. This kind of style is definitely having a moment.

Last time we talked, you told me that you are planning on opening a few brick-and-mortar stores in 2017. Is this still the plan? If so, where would the stores be located?

This year we’re focusing on hosting Pop-Ups in key cities. We’ll be returning to Washington, DC, this spring, and we have plans to do Pop-Ups in San Francisco, New York, and Dallas later in the year. As we continue to build audiences in these cities, we’ll lay the groundwork to open permanent storefronts in these areas over the next couple years. Stay tuned!

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The M2057 by Maria Pinto Spring 2017 line is available M2057.com or at their Style Studio at 833 W Washington Blvd. in Chicago.