The revolving door among fashion’s creative directors continues to turn, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down.
In recent months, some of the biggest names have been making big (and shocking) moves: Matthieu Blazy, formerly with Bottega Veneta, is taking the creative helm at Chanel, Hedi Slimane has parted ways with Celine, and John Galliano has exited Maison Margiela—only to name a few. And most recently, Irish designer Jonathan Anderson has left his creative director post at Loewe, with rumors of a move to Dior.
After nearly 11 years at Loewe, Jonathan’s exit has had everyone asking the same question: Who will step in as creative director? While theories flew all over the internet in recent weeks, the Spanish house finally named one pairing as its new creative directors—Jack McCollough and Lázaro Hernández from Proenza Schouler.
Last January 15, the duo formally left their creative posts at the New York-based brand, following an illustrious 23 years. And today, March 24, Loewe officially announced that the American designers would be at the helm of the Spanish house from here on out. "Their work over the past two decades has played an important role in shaping modern fashion while cultivating an ongoing dialogue with contemporary culture," the brand wrote through a statement.
Ahead, get to know more about the designer duo set to take over Loewe.
Who Are Jack McCollough and Lázaro Hernández? Facts About the Designer Duo Rumored to Take Over Loewe
1. They're the founding designers of Proenza Schouler.
Jack McCollough and Lázaro Hernández launched Proenza Schouler in 2002. The duo met in 1998 as students at Parsons School of Design in New York, where they collaborated on their senior thesis collection. That very collection became the brand’s debut line and earned them Parsons’ Designer of the Year award. Barneys New York even purchased the entire collection, marking the start of their fashion journey.
2. The name "Proenza Schouler" is a combination of their mothers' maiden names.
"Proenza" is the maiden name of Lázaro's mother, whereas "Schouler" is the maiden name of Jack's mother.
3. They were interns for top designers.
Lázaro Hernandez gained experience working with Michael Kors, while Jack trained under Marc Jacobs. They completed their internships in 2002, and collaborated on their senior thesis soon after.
4. They're both from the United States.
Lázaro was born and raised in Miami, Florida. Jack, on the other hand, was born in Tokyo, Japan. His family moved to New Jersey when he was five years old.
5. They're a real-life couple.
The pair first met in 1998 at a SoHo nightclub, shortly after arriving in Manhattan to study at Parson. They became an official couple three years later, during their junior year.
Now, the couple lives in a farm estate in the Berkshires, a rural highland region in western Massachusetts and northwestern Connecticut. They also frequently travel around the world to source inspirations for their collections.
6. Proenza Schouler is based in New York.
By 2012, 10 years after they first launched Proenza Schouler, they opened their first ever store at 822 Madison Avenue, alongside high-end neighbors like Chanel, Celine, and Dolce & Gabbana. By the following year, they opened their second store—their flagship boutique—at 121 Greene Street in SoHo.
7. They specialize in womenswear inspired by contemporary art and youth culture.
Jack McCollough and Lázaro Hernández set out to reinvent American luxury by fusing practicality with a contemporary, playful edge. Drawing from their respective upbringings—McCollough’s Tokyo-born, New Jersey-raised background and Hernández’s coastal Miami roots—the duo channeled these influences to create a fresh perspective on fashion. Their designs are celebrated for impeccable tailoring combined with whimsical touches, often crafted from their distinctive lineup of custom-developed fabrics.
8. Their most famous creation to date is the PS1 Satchel.
First launched in 2008, the PS1 Satchel embodies the brand's ethos of wearable luxury. Taking cues from traditional workwear satchels, it was conceived as a versatile everyday bag. Available in mini and medium sizes, the PS1 features a structured top handle, an adjustable, detachable strap, and meticulously hand-painted edges.
PS1 Medium Bag, P138,100, PROENZA SCHOULER, proenzaschouler.com
9. They've won multiple awards throughout their career.
Even early on in their career, Jack and Lázaro have already received quite a number of recognitions for their work. In 2003, they received the Swarovski Award for Ready-to-Wear. By 2007, they had secured the coveted CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year honor, followed by the Swarovski Accessory Designer of the Year Award in 2009.
10. They've dressed countless A-listers.
Their womenswear creations have long been a red carpet staple. Over the years, their designs have adorned some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Cate Blanchett, Beyoncé, Rosamund Pike, and Nicole Kidman— among many others.
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