Rachel Scott, the force behind cult New York label Diotima, has just landed the top creative job at Proenza Schouler. It’s the kind of move that signals a turning point, not just for the brand, but for American fashion itself.
Scott isn’t easing into the role. Her first fingerprints will be visible on the Spring 2026 collection, designed in tandem with the studio team, before she makes her official debut in February. And she’s not dropping Diotima either. She’ll run both labels, doubling her influence in a city hungry for a new design star to lead.
The transition comes as Proenza founders Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez move on to their first collection at Loewe after Jonathan Anderson’s departure to Dior. Their exit leaves behind a house that defined 2000s-era cool with undone sweaters, angular tailoring, and an anti-polished polish. Now, the torch is in Scott’s hands.
Her rise has been fast and undeniable. From her early work at Rachel Comey to winning the CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year, Scott has built Diotima into a critical darling. Handwoven crochet by Jamaican artisans, sculptural body-con dresses, and sharp tailoring with a sly twist—her pieces don’t just reference heritage, they force it into conversation with modern femininity.
“Rachel is someone whose work we have always admired,” McCollough and Hernandez said this morning, offering their blessing but also setting the bar high. The pressure is obvious: she’s expected to honor the legacy while dragging the brand into its next era.
Proenza’s CEO Shira Suveyke Snyder framed it as the perfect fit, pointing to Scott’s balance of craft and innovation. But the reality is bolder. Proenza Schouler is betting its entire future on a designer known for her uncompromising vision.
This isn’t just another appointment. It’s an experiment in whether a fiercely independent voice can command one of New York’s most established brands without losing the bite that made her a star. Europe may be buzzing with creative director shake-ups, but today New York gets to flex. Scott’s appointment feels like a reminder: American fashion isn’t just keeping up, it’s ready to lead.
