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Diotima’s Rachel Scott has been named the new creative director of Proenza Schouler, a move that marks one of the most thrilling appointments in recent fashion updates.
Announced on September 2, the news arrives nine months after co-founders Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez departed the label, leaving the industry wondering who would pen its next chapter as they go on to replace Jonathan Anderson at Loewe.
Scott, a Jamaican-born designer who has built Diotima into one of America’s most compelling labels since its 2021 launch, feels like a pitch-perfect choice. Her signature crochet, deeply informed by her heritage, sits alongside razor-sharp tailoring and a unique vision that still manages to surprise and inspire in a profoundly saturated market. Diotima’s dialogue of craft and modernity echoes Proenza Schouler’s own DNA and has become a highlight of the New York fashion scene in just a few short years.
Her accolades speak volumes: a 2023 LVMH Prize finalist, CFDA Emerging Designer of the Year, and, in 2024, CFDA’s Women’s Wear Designer of the Year. And as far as celebrity fans go, she’s already been a favourite of icons like Paloma Elsesser, Laura Harrier and Amber Valetta.
Yet Scott’s appointment resonates beyond design alone.
In an industry dominated by white male leadership—despite a majority female consumer base—her ascent signals a vital stance, one that can hopefully inspire a shift for the representation of women of colour and their contributions to the industry.
“It is with great excitement that I join Proenza Schouler, a brand at the heart of American fashion, and one I have long admired,” Scott said in a statement announcing the news. “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 honoured to step into this role to envision the next chapter of Proenza Schouler.”
Proenza Schouler CEO Shira Suveyke Snyder echoed this excitement, describing Scott as “a natural choice,” citing her “ability to marry craft with innovation.”
Having already consulted with the house on its Spring/Summer 2025 collection, her first full solo vision will be unveiled as early as February 2026. Crucially, Scott will also continue at Diotima, which will present its Spring/Summer 2026 show at New York Fashion Week later this month.
