Get Schooled by Proenza Schouler With a Lesson in Downtown Cool
Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez have come a long way since presenting their senior thesis together at Parsons. Since their 2004 runway debut, Proenza Schouler has established itself as the downtown cool girl's go-to brand, and its designers have made their mark by creating their iconic bustier, joining Target's list of collaborators, and causing an It-bag sensation with the irresistible PS1.
Now with three CFDA awards under their belt and an undeniable stronghold on chic tailoring and fashion-forward fabrics, the boys of Proenza Schouler have joined the ranks of the designing elite. Until we see what's ahead for Spring 2015, we're looking back at highlights from Proenza Schouler's lifespan.
Fall 2014
Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez took a definite departure from their past two collections, which eased up on graphic elements, and went whole hog with prints that looked like abstracted versions of everything from giraffe skin to zebra stripes to wood grain and beyond.
Fall 2014
There wasn't a single look in the collection that didn't involve prints, but a closer look reveals that many of them were actually more complicated, but the design duo grounded them in the shapes that have become their signatures, like this structured top connected to an orange-and-black skirt.
Fall 2014
If the clothes weren't cool enough, the shoes definitely made a statement. Every single model wore flats, making the pieces even easier to move around in.
Spring 2014
And where buttons or fur didn't do the talking, the designers let strips of shiny metallic fabric help their clothes capture attention.
Spring 2014
But even though the lines were mostly clean, there was some surface decoration in this collaboration.
Spring 2014
Proenza Schouler's Spring 2014 collection saw a continuation of the minimalist bent the designers took on in the previous season.
Fall 2013
Feathered and fringed made a statement in a black and white palette.
Fall 2013
Ladylike and finished in soft ivory, Proenza's new suit was on everyone's wish list for Fall '14.
Fall 2013
Sex appeal, restraint, and Jack and Lazaro's quintessentially cool eye were all at work in this semisheer black dress from the Fall '14 runway.
Spring 2013
Patchwork got a new meaning from geometric blocks of color and pattern.
Spring 2013
Lacy tops met colorblock skirts and gladiator boots for a tough edge.
Spring 2013
Sleekly tailored dresses were canvases for strong color and graphic prints.
Fall 2012
Intricate brocade and nods to the Far East defined the Fall dresses.
Fall 2012
Proenza Schouler unveiled cool wrap skirts on the Fall '12 runway.
Spring 2012
The boys of Proenza Schouler took to pairing prints and textures in unique ways — in this shot, we see vibrant florals paired with a cobalt-blue leather circle skirt.
Spring 2012
Tropical prints took the runway on ladylike cuts.
Spring 2012
Structured, ladylike silhouettes with unexpected edge defined the shape of Proenza Schouler Spring '12.
Fall 2011
They also featured tribal-inspired prints.
Fall 2011
For Fall '11, the designers played with large-scale colorblocking and slimfitting silhouettes.
Spring 2011
Proenza's sheer layers. Leighton Meester wore this dress in rust.
Spring 2011
Ethereal softness defined Proenza Spring 2011.
Fall 2010
The cutout dress also continued into Fall '10.
Fall 2010
Fall 2010 was punky and marked by bold pattern.
Spring 2010
The babydoll cutout dress highlighted Proenza's ability to mix girlie with cool.
Spring 2010
Proenza's Spring 2010 collection had a bold "city girl who surfs" vibe.
Fall 2009
Yet they still supplied their dose of original pattern and texture.
Fall 2009
An off-shoulder dress marked Proenza's return to polished looks in Fall 2009.
Spring 2009
They used technical fabrics to reimagine ladylike outfits.
Spring 2009
For Spring 2009, the theme was sporty and tough.
Fall 2008
Yellow became a repeat color for Proenza.
Fall 2008
Fall 2008 was about colorblock and big bows.
Spring 2008
We also saw their love for yellow.
Spring 2008
Spring 2008 was marked by short skirts and cinched waists.
Fall 2007
The coats were elegant but bold, Proenza style.
Fall 2007
Proenza went ladylike and totally sophisticated for Fall 2007.
Spring 2007
The body-conscious stripes were a highlight of their Spring 2007 collection.
Spring 2007
Raquel Zimmermann looked fantastic in this little striped dress for Spring 2007.
Fall 2006
A slim-fitted coatdress in Fall 2006.
Fall 2006
Leather pants and a total city-chic look in Fall 2006.
Spring 2006
And part girlie romance.
Spring 2006
Spring 2006 was part easy-breezy lightness.
Fall 2005
There was also a play on textures and prints.
Fall 2005
Fall 2005 featured a play in contrasts. Here, menswear trousers and a bustier top.
Spring 2005
The bustier became one of Proenza's iconic looks.
Spring 2005
Spring 2005 saw Liya Kebede strut in a purple pencil and floral-printed bustier.
Fall 2004
. . . and sporty, but edgy, separates.
Fall 2004
For Fall 2004, there was the bustier cup dress.
Spring 2004
A deco-inspired dress for Spring 2004.
Spring 2004
Proenza Schouler debuted in Spring 2004 with preppy silhouettes, soft dresses, and techy fabrics.