Standard Luxe: Proenza Schouler

Young American designers that have gained success really inspire me; I first became enamored with the sister team of Rodarte, and now I am constantly finding myself looking for articles on Proenza Schouler. Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez started the womenswear line in 2002 and became an enormous success, dressing celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Chloe Sevigny, Kate Bosworth, Kirsten Dunst, Julianne Moore and Charlize Theron. The duo went from Parsons to Barney's almost over night. They worked on their senior thesis together, which was entirely bought by Barney's, almost unheard of. Lazaro Hernandez had interned with Michael Kors (courtesy of a random referral from Anna Wintour, who Mr. Hernandez had a chance-encounter with on an airplane), and Mr. McCollough interned with Marc Jacobs. Mr. McCollough and Mr. Hernandez are both 32 and riding the wave of success, and traveling around the world to be inspired by different cultures and environments. The two live and work together flawlessly, and they truly do work together; if one wants black, and the other wants white, they'll go grey, the brand would not be Proenza Schouler if it were one-sided, they have said. The brand's name comes from both of their mother's maiden names, which is now a slight regret because of the complicated lettering, apparently making it hard to find the right font for the label, but their mother I'm sure don't have a problem with it. A young person finding success in the fashion industry is always so rare, but when you can collaborate with someone, the chances of bringing two forces together makes for an intense ride, and will hopefully stand the test of time. Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough credit Helmut Lang as an idol because he left his audience wanting more, and I can tell Proenza Schouler will always leave us wanting more.