How Birkenstock and PS1 Helped Make Proenza Schouler Famous

Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates from Your Next Shoes. This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure for more details.

Proenza Schouler – pronounced “Pro-en-za Skoo-ler” – is a brand you’ve likely seen on your Instagram feed.

Launched in 2002, this contemporary fashion brand embodies modern luxury with its playful silhouettes and quirky designs inspired by New York’s urban jungle.

Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, the designers behind the New York-based label Proenza Schouler, named the label after the maiden names of their mothersJack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, the designers behind the New York-based label Proenza Schouler, named the label after the maiden names of their mothers (Credit: Kristin Callahan / ACE / INSTARimages)

Founded in 2002, the brand celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2022.

Right now is the perfect time to look at the brand and why it deserves a spot in your shoe closet.

Meet Proenza Schouler

Proenza Schouler was founded by Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez as a womenswear and accessories brand.

Front side decoration display and design of Proenza Schouler luxury fashion store at Emquartier Bangkok shopping mallFront side decoration display and design of Proenza Schouler luxury fashion store at Emquartier Bangkok shopping mall (Credit: Saranya Phu Akat / Shutterstock)

The name ‘Prozena Schouler’ was chosen in homage to their mothers as both of their maiden names.

The pair had met as students at Parsons School of Design, creating their senior thesis together that would become Proenza Schouler’s debut collection.

Anna Wintour is seen arriving at the Proenza Schouler fashion show during New York Fashion WeekAnna Wintour is seen arriving at the Proenza Schouler fashion show during New York Fashion Week on February 11, 2022, in New York City (Credit: Startraksphoto / John Nacion)

The brand found instant success after having its first collection picked up by Barneys New York.

In 2008, Proenza Schouler introduced its first footwear collection in partnership with Giuseppe Zanotti before switching to Onward Luxury Group in 2012.

You can find Proenza Schouler at their Madison Avenue flagship in New York, along with some of the world’s most prestigious department stores.

Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Shopbop, Farfetch, and SSENSE are stockists of the brand.

Who owns Proenza Schouler?

The success of Proenza Schouler meant it was quickly touted as the next ‘it’ fashion brand.

The Valentino Fashion Group purchased a 45% stake in the brand in 2007 before Castanea Partners purchased a minority interest that led to the appointment of Judd Crane as the brand’s CEO.

At the end of 2018, McCollough and Hernandez used private investors to reclaim full ownership of Proenza Schouler by buying back the company shares.

Is Proenza Schouler a luxury brand?

While Proenza Schouler doesn’t sit on the same tier as Chanel, Hermes, and Louis Vuitton, it’s considered a contemporary luxury brand.

The brand has evolved since its foundation, moving from the seasonal ready-to-wear calendar to following the couture fashion calendar instead.

Serinda Swan wears a white Proenza Schouler long-sleeved off-the-shoulder waisted dressSerinda Swan wears a white Proenza Schouler long-sleeved off-the-shoulder waisted dress at the 2017 Summer TCA Tour ‘Disney ABC Television Group’ on August 6, 2017, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: Sara De Boer / Startraksphoto)

Proenza Schouler hosts two fashion shows a year at Paris Fashion Week since adopting the couture calendar in 2017.

Like most successful luxury brands, Proenza Schouler launched a diffusion line, ‘White Label” in 2017, focusing on casual understated pieces.

How the PS1 Became Popular

The PS1 was one of the first “blogger bags” to go viral.

In the early days of fashion bloggers, the PS1 was the style everyone wanted to be seen carrying.

Kate Bosworth carries a Proenza Schouler PS1 clutch at the official launch of the first Topshop LA storeKate Bosworth carries a Proenza Schouler PS1 clutch at the official launch of the first Topshop LA store on February 14, 2013 (Credit: Brian To / WENN)

The PS1 was Proenza Schouler’s debut handbag, launched in 2008.

The laidback unisex nature of the bag – inspired by the classic satchel silhouette – made it an instant hit.

It remains the brand’s best-seller and was named by Vogue as the ultimate ‘back to work’ bag in 2021.

Proenza Schouler x Birkenstock

Proenza Schouler’s popularity means that it’s collaborated with some of the most recognizable brands in the fashion and beauty industry, including MAC Cosmetics and J Brand.

In 2020, the brand partnered with Birkenstock to create the must-have sandal of the year. They’re among the most popular shoes at Shopbop.

A reimagined pair of Birkenstock's classic Arizona sandals made in collaboration with Proenza SchoulerA reimagined pair of Birkenstock’s classic Arizona sandals made in collaboration with Proenza Schouler

After these comfortable shoes with their minimalistic silhouette and pop of colors sold out, it’s no surprise that the collection was re-launched in 2021.

Birkenstock described the collection as being “inspired by utilitarian workwear and athletic footwear Proenza Schouler kept the integrity of Birkenstock’s iconic design while injecting urbanism and luxe”.

This striking pair of two-band Birkenstock x Proenza Schouler slides combines glossy patent leather with contrast topstitching and a legendarily comfortable footbedThis striking pair of two-band Birkenstock x Proenza Schouler slides combines glossy patent leather with contrast topstitching and a legendarily comfortable footbed

If you’re lucky to find these shoes in stock, they’re an instant ‘add to cart’.

Scroll down to see celebrities wearing bags, clothing, and shoes by Proenza Schouler, a New York-based women’s wear and accessories brand founded in 2002 by designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez. The name is derived from maiden names of the two designers’ mothers

Bella Thorne Flaunts Curves in Skin-Tight Bottega Veneta Mini Dress at 69th Taormina Film Festival Photocall

Bella Thorne made a grand entrance and captivated the attendees of the 69th Taormina Film Festival photocall in Italy on…

Priyanka Chopra Reveals How Husband Nick Jonas Makes a Memorable Cameo in Her Latest Rom-Com, Love Again

Priyank Chopra is starring in a new rom-com alongside Sam Heughan and Celine Dion. The James Strouse-directed movie, “Love Again,”…

How Old Was Alicia Vikander as Lara Croft in Tomb Raider?

In 2016, Alicia Vikander was taking Hollywood by storm. The successful Swedish actress dominates the industry thanks to her award-winning…

Elizabeth Olsen Turns Into Axe Murderer in HBO Max’s Love and Death

Elizabeth Olsen has been making the rounds on the press circuit to promote her upcoming HBO Max limited series Love…

Get Hailey Bieber’s Effortless Look: 7 Casual Outfit Ideas to Copy Now

Hailey Bieber‘s effortlessly chic style is always on point, and her latest casual looks are no exception. The model maintains…

Emily Ratajkowski Heats Up NYFW in 5 Outfits After Filing for Divorce From Sebastian Bear-McClard

Emily Ratajkowski set pulses racing in daring outfits during New York Fashion Week amid split from her husband of four…

The 5 Must Have Women’s Fall Boots and 5 Trending Boot Styles

Fall is right around the corner – meaning it’s time to dig around the back of your closet to find…

9 Hottest Shoe Trends and Must-Have Shoes for Fall

While we’re soaking up the summer sun, it’s not too early to start thinking about fall shoe trends. Fall 2022…

Karlie Kloss Flashes Cleavage in White Fringe Dress and Arielle Baron Narcissus Sandals

She has been enjoying her time in Paris with her fellow supermodels for fashion week. And on Saturday, Karlie Kloss…

Bella Hadid Covers Boobs With Gilded Brass Lung Necklace in Cannes

She’s no stranger to showing off some serious flesh, whether she’s strutting down the runway, the street, or even on…

Bella Hadid Steals Paris Fashion Week Spotlight in Louis Vuitton Knee-High Boots

Bella Hadid is back on the runway! The 24-year-old supermodel has been taking Paris Fashion Week by storm—from the sidewalk…

How Hilary Duff Wears Proenza Schouler Puffy Slides With Blue Skinny Jeans

She is set to star in How I Met Your Father, a spinoff to the long-running CBS sitcom How I…

How Old Was Dakota Fanning as Lucy Diamond Dawson in I Am Sam?

It feels like it was just yesterday when Dakota Fanning starred in “I Am Sam.” The young actress is now…

Hilary Duff and Steven Good Kiss as Younger Final Season Filming Wraps

Six years and seven seasons later, TV Land’s Younger has finally come to an end. The cast and crew wrapped…

How Old Was Kirsten Dunst as Judy Shepherd in Jumanji?

Kirsten Dunst was 12-years-old when she played the character ‘Judy Shepherd’ in Jumanji, a 1995 American fantasy adventure film directed…

Gracie Elliot Teefey Joins Big Sister Selena Gomez at Frozen 2 Premiere

Selena Gomez brought one of her adorable younger half-sisters, 6-year-old Gracie Elliot Teefey, to the premiere of Frozen 2 on…

Selena Gomez Promotes Lose You to Love Me and Look at Her Now in Two-Tone Mules

After taking a break from the limelight, Selena Gomez is finally back on track with the release of two new…

Noah Baumbach Joins Girlfriend Greta Gerwig at Marriage Story Screening

Greta Gerwig supported her director boyfriend Noah Baumbach on the red carpet at the screening of his new movie Marriage…

Mandy Moore Draws Attention to Bunionettes in Proenza Schouler Mules

We never realized Mandy Moore had bunionettes until we saw her in the shoes she chose to wear to the…

Jessica Alba Promotes L.A.’s Finest in Burgundy Metal Embroidered Long Dress

Jessica Alba showed off her sexy feet and pretty toes for the premiere of L.A.’s Finest at Sunset Tower in…

© Copyright Your Next Shoes 2010 - 2023 | Back to Top