Rachel Scott Takes the Helm at Proenza Schouler

Proenza Schouler announces the appointment of Rachel Scott as the brand’s new Creative Director.

Rachel Scott, the Jamaican-born designer behind the celebrated label Diotima, has been named the new Creative Director of Proenza Schouler — a role that marks both a milestone in her career and a fresh chapter for one of America’s most influential fashion houses. It is also a historic appointment: in an industry where few women — and even fewer women of color — have roles with leading major fashion houses, Scott’s arrival at Proenza Schouler signals a cultural shift as much as a creative one.

Scott, 41, has carved a distinct path since founding Diotima in 2021. Her collections, rooted in the intricacies of Caribbean craftsmanship and defined by crystal mesh and hand-crocheted details, quickly earned her industry-wide acclaim. In just three years, she secured back-to-back wins at the CFDA Fashion Awards, a rare feat for a designer who had yet to stage a runway show. Her work stood out for its blend of intimacy and artistry — a personal vision now set to be expanded on one of fashion’s most established stages.

Her appointment follows a consulting role earlier this year, during which she collaborated on Proenza Schouler’s Spring–Summer 2026 collection. That first taste hinted at her ability to merge the label’s precision tailoring with her own craft-driven textures. Her full debut is expected in February 2026 with the Autumn–Winter collection, a moment already stirring anticipation across the industry.

In a statement, Scott spoke with both gratitude and vision about stepping into the role:

“It is with great excitement that I join Proenza Schouler, a brand at the heart of American Fashion, and one I have long admired. I hold deep respect for the beauty and world Jack and Lazaro so brilliantly crafted, and I look forward to bringing my perspective in dialogue with their legacy. I am grateful to Shira for her trust and I am honored to step into this role to envision the next chapter of Proenza Schouler.”

That legacy — two decades of pushing the boundaries of New York style with sleek tailoring, effortless cool, and art-infused edge — remains central to the story. Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, who co-founded the brand in 2002, left earlier this year for a new role at Loewe. But the duo remains tied to the house as board members, and they were quick to lend their blessing to Scott’s appointment:

“When we left Proenza Schouler last January, we knew the story would go on but not yet who would write the next chapter. Rachel is someone whose work we have always admired. Her trajectory over the last few years has been impressive to watch. As founders and board members of the company, we are proud to welcome her to this very special brand and excited to see how she will embrace and evolve the legacy and spirit of what we started.”

For Scott, the challenge ahead is not about rewriting the codes of Proenza Schouler but evolving them. She has spoken about maintaining the brand’s sharp DNA while infusing it with sensuality, texture, and the lived narratives that have defined her work at Diotima.

Her ascent feels like a convergence: the artistry of a designer deeply connected to her roots and the platform of a house that has defined modern American style for more than 20 years. Together, they are poised to write a new chapter — one that could reshape the conversation about what New York fashion looks like in the years to come.