Proenza Schouler…International Takeover

Finally a partnership made in heaven: Valentino Fashion Group SpA acquires Proenza & Schouler. It seems that this is the year of Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, the designers behind Proenza & Schouler. A successful capsule collection for mega store Target as well as that whole CFDA award thingy (they tied with Oscar de La Renta for Womenswear Designer of the Year this past June). Under the new business venture the brand will open a sales office in Paris and a production office in Italy. Needless to say these guys are past due for an international takeover.
(as a side note…)
After the Valentino soirée last weekend and pendulous claims of whether or not the designer might retire, could this acquisition be a step toward patching the hole that would be left if Valentino said: Ciao? Can we say: backup plan?

Mama Wintour’s boys
(image courtesy of Style.com)