CEO and Co-Founder, Proenza Schouler. New York
The best part of my job is that I’m never bored or pigeonholed into one area,” says Shirley Cook, CEO and co-founder of Proenza Schouler. While everyone knows the dapper faces of Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, Cook’s the girl behind the scenes, a tour de force who’s been with the company since its humble beginning stages. In 2002, J&L debuted their first collection as a senior thesis project at the Parsons School of Design, and Barneys immediately scooped up their entire range. In the last decade, Proenza Schouler has grown from two designers and a CEO to one of the most influential designers in America with offices in New York and Italy. In her office adorned with PS1s in every shape and color and photographs of notable Proenza Schouler press accolades, we chatted about her love of open-toe pony-skin booties, where she sees the brand heading in the next twenty years, and why every girl needs a PS1 (we think it’s obvious). “Jack and Lazaro are undoubtedly talented, but why I appreciate them goes so far beyond the work that they do as inspiring designers”, Cook says. “They are really great people to work with and to work for”. Talk about dedication to one's craft. Come on in and take a peek around!
Everyday is very different depending on the time of year (and time of day). I’m involved in literally every part of the company so at any given moment I could be reviewing sketches and colors, discussing sales strategy, reviewing business plans, or visiting stores. The best part of my job is that I’m never bored or pigeonholed into one area.
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Most of these photos are from Vogue, some aren’t. They have all been gifts to us.
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Wallet, Proenza Schouler
Wallet, Proenza Schouler
These shoes immediately make me think of Jen Brill. I do have to say I think she wore them the most and the best!
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All, Proenza Schouler
The PS girl is pretty easy going. She obviously loves fashion but isn’t obsessed with it and definitely has other things going on. She’s aesthetically driven (to a certain degree), but is very much a real person. My favorite collection is Spring 2011. To me, its almost a perfect expression of Jack and Lazaro and PS, because you see all the nods to classic elements but everything feels so new at the same time. I also love the bravado to show evening looks with flat gladiator boots. It’s sort of irreverent and beautiful and desirable and respectful all at the same time.
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Sunglasses, Proenza Schouler
Shoe, Proenza Schouler
Jack and Lazaro are undoubtedly talented (we all know this and its attested to in every magazine all the time), but why I appreciate them goes so far beyond the work that they do as inspiring designers. They are really great people to work with and to work for – our entire staff feels really attached to them and they have created a pretty large staff that all feels like family. It’s because of who they are that all the employees go the extra mile and really care.
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I love the combination of materials: a nice poor linen and a beautiful painted snake.
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Bag, Proenza Schouler
Bag, Proenza Schouler
Bag, Proenza Schouler
My desk!
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Everyday is very different depending on the time of year (and time of day). I’m involved in literally every part of the company so at any given moment I could be reviewing sketches and colors, discussing sales strategy, reviewing business plans, or visiting stores. The best part of my job is that I’m never bored or pigeonholed into one area.
The PS girl is pretty easy going. She obviously loves fashion but isn’t obsessed with it and definitely has other things going on. She’s aesthetically driven (to a certain degree), but is very much a real person. My favorite collection is Spring 2011. To me, its almost a perfect expression of Jack and Lazaro and PS, because you see all the nods to classic elements but everything feels so new at the same time. I also love the bravado to show evening looks with flat gladiator boots. It’s sort of irreverent and beautiful and desirable and respectful all at the same time. Sunglasses, Proenza Schouler
Jack and Lazaro are undoubtedly talented (we all know this and its attested to in every magazine all the time), but why I appreciate them goes so far beyond the work that they do as inspiring designers. They are really great people to work with and to work for – our entire staff feels really attached to them and they have created a pretty large staff that all feels like family. It’s because of who they are that all the employees go the extra mile and really care.
