Before her Monday show, designer Maria Cornejo was a bit anxious over last minute changes.

But the space at the Highline Stages and the fall Zero Maria Cornejo collection itself exuded a meditative calm.

"We're always taking five steps forward and a couple back," the designer said of how her collection has evolved since the last season. "I believe clothing should stay in the realm of reality."

"Every piece should be able to worn by somebody," Cornejo said, adding that her customers range in age from 20 to 85.

Fall clothes fell lightly across the body, in oversized hoodie sweaters, wide swing coats and dresses gently-gathered around shoulders and hips.

At Zero Maria Cornejo, wool and leather coats also took on encompassing shapes. A striking red coat described in the program as "an evening pod" extended around the model like a soft crimson halo. The designer said the coat, in China red llama, was one of her favorites. "It's more like a cape," Ms. Cornejo said. "It is luxurious. But the biggest luxury is to be yourself and to have your own point of view."