The New Proenza Schouler Is Anything But Perfect (on Purpose)—5 Details That Stood Out

A flurry of newly appointed creative directors has upended fashion's status quo in recent months, but don't be distracted. Today belongs to Rachel Scott. On February 11, she staged her first Proenza Schouler runway show since taking the helm of the brand founded in 2002 by Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez (who, in turn, skedaddled over to Loewe last spring). She continues to design for her own label, Diotima, which is also on the NYFW calendar.

In front of an audience that included Olivia Munn, Jemima Kirke, and Hari Nef, Scott presented her vision of "a new Proenza Schouler woman, a woman shaped by thought, intuition, contradiction," according to the show notes. "To the unknowing eye, she is put-together, precise, deathly punctual. Those who recognize her sense that there is more to her: The Proenza Schouler woman for fall 2026 rejects perfection as constraint. She is composed yet mysterious and cinematic. She is disciplined but capricious—human." How exactly does that translate to clothes and accessories? Continue reading for my breakdown of the fall/winter 2026 collection.

The First Women's Collection by Rachel Scott

Scott is embracing the artfully askew for fall/winter 2026. Models walked down the runway wearing smudged lipstick and rumpled dresses that looked like they could have been fetched out of the hamper 10 minutes before showtime. The woman Scott had in mind "was in a rush … moving quickly and with purpose," as the press release explained. Other off-kilter details included irregular buttons and unconventional tucks.

The Next Step

In the show notes, Proenza Schouler explained that this season's "footwear explores distortion: grounded pumps with exaggerated square toes, sharply elongated pointed kitten heels, satin sandals with shearling footbeds. Ruptured fringe carries the collection's sense of controlled friction into footwear."

It's All in the Details

Scott's collection balanced big, conceptual themes with pocket-sized particulars best viewed up close. The grommets, which "interrupt precision" according to the show notes, were definitely worth zooming in on—as were the prominent buttons and fringed edges.

The It-Bag Contenders

Proenza Schouler is no stranger to the It bag. Over the last two decades, several styles earned hall-of-fame status, a reputation that Scott likely wants to maintain. "Bags revisit familiar silhouettes—such as the archival Hex bag, a clutch, and a bowler bag—through mixed materials, combining calf hair, cashmere suede, French calf, and kidskin."

Manus et Machina

When I read the show notes, a Latin phrase came to mind: manus et machina. Meaning "hand and machine," it was the theme of the 2016 Met Gala, which explored the intersection between handicrafts and technology in fashion design. In 2026, Scott's take on this concept involved "photographic imagery of night orchids [that were] manipulated and reworked, retaining film-like borders, traces of process left visible—placing digital precision alongside the hand, reflecting an approach to craft that respects tradition and embraces modernity."