Sona Fong reports some insights of this legendary pair of trailblazers
The former Proenza Schouler, now the Loewe duo has gained recognition for striking a harmonious balance of artistic innovation and practicality, and of course, for being an inseparable pair. Hailed as “highly creative and also entrepreneurs” by Pascale Lepoivre, the CEO of the Spanish luxury fashion house, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez are acclaimed for their mesmerizing craftsmanship and modernist vision.
- Met each other at university at the late ‘90s
McCollough and Hernandez first met during their study at the Parsons School of Design. Their “meet-cute” was at the Life nightclub, Manhattan in 1998, the evening before their first day in college. In 2002, Proenza Schouler and the duo’s journey began as the duo collaborated on their senior thesis. The project gradually became their first collection as Proenza Schouler, which Barneys New York purchased the entire collection. The couple now frequently return to Parsons as guest speakers, critics, and honorees of Parsons’ annual benefit.
- The co-founders and former Creative Directors of Proenza Schouler
Recognized with the unique “cool-girl” aesthetic of New York, McCollough and Hernandez co-founded Proenza Schouler, the New York based womenswear and accessories brand. The label is named after the median names of McCollough’s and Hernandez’s mothers respectively. After receiving the inaugural CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund award in 2004, the label established itself as an emerging yet highly influential brand in modern American Fashion. Taking over Loewe, the duo has taken a step back from the role of creative lead and become shareholders of their label.
- Opens a fresh chapter of the house and the duo at Loewe
Succeeding Jonathan Anderson (the new Creative Director of Dior), the former Loewe creative head who has been at the helm for 11 years, McCollough and Hernandez are appointed as the Creative Directors of all collections of Loewe. Leaving the label they founded 22 years ago, it is marking the first step towards the another stage and adventure of their lives as McCollough said. Risk-taking and ambitious? Perhaps. But to the duo, pursuing a fusion of their New York edge with Loewe’s 179-year heritage would undeniably fulfill their adventurous soul.
- Define their brand with both downtown-cool and uptown-polish
Although McCollough and Hernandez and their house are characterized by NYC and its urban chic style, Proenza Schouler is always reminding a sense of European timelessness and elegance. Their preference of muted palettes clashing with bold graphics has refreshed conventional silhouettes of New York fashion. Elongated shapes with unexpected details in ruffles and tassels has elevated the duo’s rigorous interplay of soft structure and sharp tailoring.
- Tightly-knit couple
Without a shadow of doubt, McCollough and Hernandez are not just business partners. but also lifelong partners. The duo lives together in the relative quiet of Brooklyn meanwhile in their Manhattan studio, they have their own desks facing each other. As they described, they are “two worlds coming together” where the gist of the success is them working as a team, instead of two separated individuals. Seeing each other 24/7, they confessed that they have to “get rid of each other” one week a year.
- Redefined It-girl style with wearable luxury
Wearability is something the duo values greatly in the course of their creative processes along with visual impacts. One vivid example would be Proenza Schouler’s signature PS1, a classic satchel in the first handbag collection of the House in 2008. The adjustable and detachable strap signifies the sensitivity to the functionality of the design. Meticulously referencing the traditional workbag designs, it flawlessly embodies the ethos of the brand and the pair as a versatile everyday bag.
- A match in heaven
Back in the late ‘90s, their first meeting in Manhattan, McCollough thought the two of them were completely polar opposite — he was a “big hippie with dreads” and he interpreted Hernandez as a “jock from Miami”. Nonetheless, the two bonded over their common passion for fashion as McCollough used to sew his own clothes while Hernandez idolized the Italian designer Gianni Versace.
- Their debut for Loewe’s menswear collection evokes everyone’s curiosity
The couple’s specialization in womenswear is renowned in the industry. For the past two decades, they had been focusing on womenswear and accessories for urban women in a contemporary style. Seeing the fact that they have never launched a menswear collection at Proenza Schouler, it is surprising to see the couple overseeing Loewe’s menswear, womenswear, leather goods and accessories. It is no longer just the cool-girl aesthetic, but also the cool-boy wardrobe to expect from the duo.
- Got inspirations by escaping their workplace
“We find the city is a great place to get stuff done, but the thinking through things part happens away from it,” said by the pair that have discovered their best idea happens during their stays in the countryside. The couple was always spotted during their vacations. Following each runway show of theirs, the duo would travel across the globe to get inspirations for their next collection. TMI, their favorite place in the world is Kauai, Hawaii.
- Won over the hearts of cool girls over the years
With their edgy creations and tailoring techniques, the American duo have enchanted millions of cool girls throughout their career. The New York actress and it-girl Chloë Sevigny, the Spanish musician Arca, and the model Paloma Elsesser – these are just a few of the high-profile cool girls that are fond of the couple’s designs. Even Beyoncé has been seen in their piece — at the Red Carpet of the 2015 Grammys, Queen Bey wore a refined black Proenza Schouler lace gown.
