Infinite Potential!
A scrawled note in his journal, “This very moment is enough inspiration to last forever”
summarizes the ethos of Cory Infinite (Cory Johnson). Inspired by life around him, the 24 year
old designer and artist from Kansas City, MO creates 1 of 1 wearable art pieces from thrifted
fabrics, discarded items, trash, and whatever materials he can get his hands on.
His story toward the work he does now began when Cory was a small child. He was
always interested in expressing himself through fashion, and his mom remembers him being
particular about clothes and changing outfits multiple times a day, even as young as age three. As
he got older, his creative focus became concert photography, but when the COVID pandemic hit
during his senior year of high school his plans were foiled. So, pivoting into his next endeavor
was inspired by a fashion design class he took in high school, where he learned to sew and
created his first upcycled piece from a thrifted tapestry blanket. As he made his first projects,
friends began to take interest and express desires to buy his designs, and he realized he could
pursue fashion design more seriously.
Cory’s original interest in thrifted and upcycled materials began with accessibility.
Blankets and other materials thrifted were the easiest for him to get his hands on. But aside from
that, an important part of his work is seeing the innate value and potential in every material, from
discarded fabrics, cookie tins, electronic waste, utensils, and more. He loves to turn “trash” into
things that are fun, and see the “infinite potential in every material,” which leads him to create
projects such as an entire jumpsuit covered in plastic keyboard pieces, a jacket out of cans and
bottles, or a hoodie embellished completely in scrabble pieces, which he created in collaboration
with his wife.
When beginning a new piece, the material guides the way, without limit or cap on the
potential of what the objects could become. After allowing whatever he is working with to “find
him”, Cory begins a dance with the materials, letting the physical process take charge. He
generally works without sketches or a plan, but instead with an understanding that material has
infinite paths, and the process of “narrowing onto something specific and bringing it into the best
thing it can be”. Because the end goal is unspecified, a piece is complete when it “feels done”,
creating an exciting process of work for each new project.
The Cory Infinite brand is about more than just the physical piece of art. In sharing each
piece, he hopes to connect with people and inspire them to see the beauty and design in
everything, and to then use what's around them to create using their unique skills as well as
environments. His goal is to leave people inspired and that they could create something from
anything, as well as keep a continuation of good things and positivity going in the world.
Cory’s plan for the future is to keep creating art and following where life takes him. He
hopes to have more in-person events such as a book tour, runway events, and just traveling and
meeting people. No deadlines, just passion and drive.
So, what are you waiting for? Go make something!
This article is based on a conversation with the artist
You can find more of Cory on Instagram/TikTok @coryinfinite, or website coryinfinite.com
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