Proenza Schouler's New Creative Director Brings Back New York Edge

Rachel Scott's debut collection for the brand reflects the complexities of modern city style.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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As the new creative director of Proenza Schouler, Rachel Scott is reclaiming a lost sense of New York style with her debut fall 2026 collection. Featuring exacting yet fluid tailoring, abstract florals, and a sense of movement and imperfection, Scott's designs cater to the city's enigmatic, uneven present and the woman who "decides what you see of her and what you know of her."

Why it matters

Proenza Schouler once helped define the sharp, idiosyncratic cool of New York fashion, but that edge has dimmed in recent years. Scott's vision aims to revive that signature New York style, providing a meaningful alternative to the "hollow buzzwords" and "flattening effect" of current trends.

The details

Scott's fall 2026 collection for Proenza Schouler features tailored skirt suits that avoid primness, fluid dresses in abstract florals, flared pants paired with oversized-button double-breasted jackets, and denim pieces finished with disc-like peplums. The looks are characterized by a sense of movement and intentional imperfection, with models styled to appear as though they had simply pulled their hair back or swiped lipstick across their mouths on the way out the door.

  • Rachel Scott soft-launched her vision as Proenza Schouler's new creative director last season.
  • Scott will present her fall 2026 collection for her independent label, Diotima, on Sunday.

The players

Rachel Scott

The new creative director of Proenza Schouler, reclaiming the brand's lost sense of New York edge with her debut collection.

Proenza Schouler

The New York-based fashion label founded by Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, known for its sharp, idiosyncratic cool.

Bethann Hardison

A fashion industry pioneer and advocate who attended Scott's Proenza Schouler debut.

Thelma Golden

The director and chief curator of The Studio Museum in Harlem, who was also present at the Proenza Schouler show.

Indya Moore

The actor and model who attended Scott's Proenza Schouler debut.

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What they’re saying

“What I really needed to understand was who the woman was and how I could bring her forward into the future.”

— Rachel Scott, Creative Director, Proenza Schouler

“She is extremely precise; she decides what you see of her and what you know of her. She persists in her imperfection, and she's in a rush.”

— Rachel Scott, Creative Director, Proenza Schouler

What’s next

Scott will present her fall 2026 collection for her independent label, Diotima, on Sunday.

The takeaway

Rachel Scott's debut collection for Proenza Schouler aims to revive the brand's signature New York edge, providing a meaningful alternative to the "hollow buzzwords" and "flattening effect" of current fashion trends by catering to the complexities and imperfections of the modern city woman.