Proenza Schouler

Proenza Schouler was founded by American designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez. The duo launched the brand in 2002 after their highly acclaimed senior thesis collection at Parsons School of Design was purchased in its entirety by Barneys New York. The name Proenza Schouler is a combination of the founders' mothers' maiden names.

The brand is perhaps most famous for the PS1, a distinctly designed satchel bag that became an It bag in the late 2000s. Unlike typical luxury logos, the PS1 relies on unique hardware, buckle details, and a relaxed, slightly slouchy structure. It remains a staple in their accessory line and is heavily favored by fashion editors.

While Proenza Schouler built its global reputation almost entirely on luxury womenswear, they do occasionally dabble in menswear. They have periodically released small, capsule menswear collections or gender-neutral pieces. However, their primary business and runway shows during New York Fashion Week remain heavily focused on female empowerment and tailoring.

Proenza Schouler is headquartered in New York City, operating out of the famous SoHo neighborhood. The brand is deeply ingrained in the American fashion landscape and shows its mainline collections during New York Fashion Week. In 2014, they even opened their first standalone retail flagship store on Madison Avenue in Manhattan.